More about the wx in Hamilton - a lot of the time we get cloud about 2-3000' upwards, so given the high terrain to the south can make for some good decision-making practice. Also, in the later stages of the course we are operating near the legal VFR minima so in respect of routing and hazard avoidance techniques it's good fun. Equally enjoyable are the days of blue skies and smooth Controlled VFR up in Christchurch airspace at 6500'! It's a good mixed bag, but the exposure to rainy, foggy, cloudy conditions has been great. The fog is worst in winter but there is the occasional summer morning where we all get canned...
Wind is not normally such a problem one you've done your crosswind circuits - Hamilton's runway is orientated North/South with a prevailing Westerly wind!
Ultimately, even though we all hope to be flying IFR in the main, dealing with a lot of weather in the VFR stages has been very useful.
Hope it helps...
Cheers
AD