What about the Overhead Rejoin?
Fly over the runway 500 ft above circuit height, make a call once overhead- ABC OVERHEAD DECENDING NON TRAFFIC SIDE 36- then descend non traffic side to circuit height to fly over up wind threshold and slotting into the mid down wind- ABC JOINS DOWNWIND FROM THE OVER HEAD 36-
this is one way ( commonly used ) in NZ of entering. Because, if no other traffic is around, how can you tell the wind direction, ok from smoke, etc. But, how can you tell what the most appropriate runway is to use. The WIND SOCK. That’s what we are all taught in NZ. If we joined the Runway at 45 degrees. Higher powers, would be upset!
From a commercial training point of view they try not to get you to fly the overhead join because time is money. From my experience, reliable resources include smoke, traffic, AWIS, forecast (bit iffy about that one). If you know where to look for the wind sock you can see it prior to join the circuit.