Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Here's a little weather update for all those Ex-pats out there, and others who are interested. It's very cold here at Willowbrook...

The whole of New Zealand is experiencing a freak antartic blizzard, with cold southerlies blowing up from the south pole and conditions conspiring to make it difficult throughout the country.

We have even had an hour of snow at Willowbrook (and the last time it snowed in Hamilton was 72 years ago!).


The Met service says New Zealand is having a one-in-50-year polar blast - a bitterly cold southerly has caused snow to fall in areas of New Zealand which do not usually receive it, making roads impassable in many areas of both islands, closing airports and cutting power to thousands.

Authorities across the country have warned motorists to avoid all non-essential travel.

The new -born lambs and goatlings are not impressed, trying their best to draw their heads back into their bodies like turtles!

The Launch of 'personalweddings.co.nz'...

As many readers will know, we are hoping in the fullness of time to offer Willowbrook Park as a venue in which couples may celebrate their weddings and civil unions. In the interim it gives me great pleasure to announce that Peter has now received confirmation that he is a registered marriage celebrant within New Zealand.

He has just launched his own website/blog: www.personalweddings.co.nz

Whilst Peter offers this service independent of Willowbrook Park, and there is no commercial connection, there will be his natural association with Willowbrook, of which couples may wish to take advantage.

" We turned to Peter for advice about planning the ceremony. He was very helpful to us, with lots of good advice about the details of the service - his background as a priest made him a great source of information. Peter is patient, supportive, and has a wonderful sense of humour, and manages a great rapport with all whom he meets...and we would recommend him to any future couple."

- Kahl and Cristina Betham.

"I commend him to you wholeheartedly for his ability to conduct weddings in a most wonderful manner, with sincerity, empathy and thoughtfulness...he was able to put the bride and groom at ease which greatly helped them overcome their nerves on such a momentous day. Peter also brought great warmth to his service in welcoming everybody who was there to witness the marriage, and all the guests remarked on the delightful way in which he conducted the celebration."

- Angela Harris, Baroness Harris of Richmond

The Christchurch Earthquake...

Thank you to everyone who has expressed sympathy following the earthquake in Christchurch yesterday. The death toll so far is at 75, with many people still missing. The PM has declared a state of national emergency: more than half the city is without power or water; the city's waste system has been extensively damaged; and emergency accommodation has been set up for the many who are homeless. The days ahead will be grim for many, but New Zealand has a history of pulling together as a nation during the tough times and I am sure we will see many acts of generosity and supererogation flow from those lucky enough to be unaffected, like We here at Willowbrook Park.

Fairwell too, to many of our well beloved landmarks...

Christchurch's Anglican Cathedral before and after

Christchurch's Roman Catholic Cathedral before and after

David.