KEY POINTS:
Almost half of the Kiwi population believes the summer holiday period should be moved from December to February, according to new research.
New Zealanders are convinced the late December summer holiday break just isn't delivering warm enough weather, according to a Research New Zealand poll.
The poll found
that 44 per cent of the people believe that the summer holiday period should be moved from December to February, when the weather is warmer, compared to 51 per cent, who would like to leave it as it is. Another 5 per cent were undecided.
The poll raised an interesting debate about the best time for people to enjoy their summer break, Research New Zealand director Emanuel Kalafatelis said today.
"Much of the country is back at work and school when New Zealand enjoys its best weather in February," Mr Kalafatelis said.
The research poll of 500 people aged 15 and over was conducted by telephone between November 26 and December 3.
- NZPA
WHAT THEY THINK
Qin Qin Hou, 25
"Honestly? I don't mind. As long as it's a holiday, I'm happy. In China, Christmas is just a holiday. For us, the Chinese new year comes later in February or March - it changes every year. For us, it'd be good because it goes with the traditional [Chinese] new year."
Shelley Rodger, 39
"It wouldn't seem like Christmas to me. Call me old-fashioned but I love it in December. I take my holidays in February just because everyone's back at work. If they change it, it'll be chaos. I don't think they should change it."
Jonathan Logan, 31
"From a retailer's point of view, yes, it would be good. We're selling two seasons for men and four seasons for women. We've got our winter season coming in in March - women come in and buy just because it's new - but they can't wear it because it's still too hot."
Robert Niwa, 31
"Keep it the same way it is. There's Christmas and New Year and all those holidays that you spend with whanau and friends in December. When in February are you going do that? The weather's been good throughout December these past few years - they can't use the weather as an excuse to change everything."
Joseph Masina, 36
"Yes. I think it'd be okay if they changed it. We're working right through December anyway and so if you change it, it'll suit me."
Tom Burrows, 22
"Nah. I reckon leave it in December. You've got all the stats [statutory] days then and you'll have to change the time kids go to school. It's weird. I think it's best what it is - people are used to it - and it's Christmas. The Christians won't like it if you change it all."