Heating systems for New Zealand houses

When I first arrived in New Zealand in October 1995 I noticed that it was still quite cold in Christchurch, on the South Island. I did not have a jacket with me and was dressed incorrectly for the cooler weather. It was supposed to be summer from September  to March; but I was feeling cold, especially after sundown. The hotel where we stayed had a hidden, under floor heating system. It was non intrusive and very efficient. There was a thermostat for adjusting the temperature of the room. The Sky TV programmes were nice!

Later I found out about other ways of keeping a house warm: open fire place, electric or gas heaters, heat pumps, HRV, solar panels and even old fashion boilers.