Hospitals? Nelson (where I live) has one main Hospital. I've never need inside, but I've heard good things.
A couple points...
- Whale Rider was filmed on the North Island. Go and watch The Lord of The Rings trilogy. A lot of these films were filmed here on the South Island. (Much larger Mountains, Fjords, etc.)
- I work as an Engineer for the City of Nelson. (I was here on vacation last March and dropped off a resume at City Hall. Next thing I know... I have a job offer in June, and we were all here in August.)
- Yes, my son started school here in September and is now on Summer vacation. He's in the first grade and loves it. (I'll never forget seeing him singing "Jingle Bells" for the schools Christmas show in a t-shirt, shorts, bare feet and santa hat.)
My daughter is only two.