patches

Thursday may work better for me as I can head over straight after work (and won't be all sweaty from squash ) Happy for either!

Sorry to hear Wayne. A runny-nose is not as socially acceptable as it used to be, hahaha! Let us know what the nose probe is like! Feel better soon!

Still on for Wednesday? I have squash after work, but finish up around 6:30 and can head over

I've been using Kriega soft luggage on my Huskies. I like the system and the flexibility it offers. On short overnight trips where a tent isn't required, I'll just run a 10L tail pack. For 2-3 day trips (where the tent is needed) I'll run 2x 18L panniers. And for longer adventures I'll run the 2x 18L panniers and the 10L. All waterproof, tough, and individually detachable. I use the OS-Base harness on the Huskies as they have no composite sub-frames with no load capacity for luggage racks. The OS Base harness is heat resistant so protects the luggage from the exhaust.

Hahaha! Maybe oneday. We have very little clue as to what we're doing, so Oceanic expansion may be catastrophic right now. But yeah, I'm gather the Hubbers in Aus are also longing for something even half as good as the Hub's classified section. We really had it good on that front in SA!

Those are just TradeMe reposts that we put up to add content and give it a feel We're hoping it will organically grow and eventually users will start posting ads there and we won't have to do the legwork. Once listed they post a listing, the idea is that they will share it to one/more of the many NZ cycling FB groups.

Hi Dave Yeah the pop-up requires one to accept, then it should let you through. A few others have had the same issue, so we may remove it. Thanks for the heads-up EDIT: Pop-up removed

In order of retailer size/popularity... Torpedo7 EvoCycles 99Bikes KiwiVelo Those 3 should have what he's looking for. Hope that helps!

Yeah there's a fine line in NZ around all that. The basic rule of thumb (and to the best of my knowledge) is that: If you are a trade/being paid do do the job, it requires sign off.If you are doing the work yourself, but it is a property you rent out, it requires sign off.If you own and live in the property, some things may still require sign off, but there is a lot more leeway around DIY.My other guideline is that if there's a Mitre10 or Bunnings DIY vid on it, you're good to go! (really though, they are the 2 big hardware chains here and they keep their DIY instructional vids above board) But yeah, some things will always require licensed trades, inspections, council consent or even resource consent.

Hey fellow Saffers in Kiwi-land! A mate and I were bike hunting on TradeMe and found it really frustrating to determine vital info like frame and wheel size. We're also tired of being rushed 8% on TM success fees. We missed the brilliantly considered structure of The Hub's classifieds, of which there is no equivalent in NZ. ... so we attempted to make one! https://pedl.co.nz/ Disclaimer: This is nowhere near as refined and well-built as The Hub. It is also not intended to replace The Hub. It's solely a New Zealand thing, brainstormed by 2 Saffer MTBers living in NZ, who have day jobs (thank goodness) as they have minimal web development experience.

My current project has minimal fine woodworking on my part, but it has been a good stretch of the DIY skills. la cuisine (the kitchen) This was the kitchen as per the real-estate listing (when we purchased the house). Nice enough, but not very much counter-space and a little dated. Let the reno begin. After ripping out a fair amount of the old cabinetry I saw that the walls (drywall) were in terrible condition. Decades of paint, wall paper, and random holes punched through by electricians. I figured I could patch the holes, and that would be fine because most of it would be covered by cabinetry or tiling. BUT I started to "pick at the scab" aaand before I knew it... Walls stripped back to framing. Blank canvas so to speak. This made it easier to run the plumbing, electrical, and gas (mains gas stove). In New Zealand they are VERY strict about what one can and can't DIY on a building. Licensed trades people are required for just about everything (plumbing, electrical, gas)... So I called a plumber, gas fitter, and electrician. BUT, I read the code of practice and regulations and found out that as an owner-occupier I can get away with running most of the electrical myself. I just need a licensed electrician to inspect and connect to mains. So I did this, and it saved a lot of time and money, plus I know the system inside out. Ripping the lining off the walls not only meant I could run the utilities properly, but could also add insulation to this old mid-century bungalow. Building wrap lining added to exterior wall to prevent moisture bridging across insulation into the drywall. After adding glass-wool insulation to the exterior wall, and packing out and replumbing some of the old studs, it was time to reline. I used wet area rated Gib (pronounced "jib". A Kiwi term for drywall, named after a brand). 3 coats of drywall compound the next day (2 fast set, 1 slow set finishing compound). Prime and seal it all... All work was done after my day-job or on weekends. I had a deadline... the kitchen cabinet install. I made it just in time for the cabinetry people to do their bit. Longer island, sink stoke and oven moved. Loads of counter space and more storage. I couldn't leave it there, so much to my SO's horror, I spend last night cutting holes in the side of the island "feature wall" There was reason behind the madness though... Power points at either end. The engineered stone waterfall counter will overhand the cabinets by about 225mm. And better yet, I manages to run all the TPS cable between the cabinets and the outer panels, so no wires visible or conduit required. So that's the progress thus far. Still a number of things to be done: Install new cornices and skirtingsfinish painting exposed areas and ceilingmanufacture and install engineered stone counter topsinstall new appliances & plumbing fixturestile backsplashinstall new lighting (smart led downlights and under cabinet strip lights. All controlled by Philips Hue and Google Home)It's been hard work, but rewarding and fun. I'll be sure to post the finished product.

hahaha, I'd totally rather have Nutella over Vegemite, but miraculously I've managed to lose 8kg since "the challenge" began (7 weeks ago, around the time we met in Rotorua). The challenge being that if I don't reach my target weight by early Jan, my forfeit is to donate $200 to a controversial cause (like Antivaxx, Flat earth, or Trump's legal fees), AND have to post about my support of said cause on Facebook.

You're heading down a slippery slope towards motocross! Next thing you'll be wearing a Monster Energy cap, change your name to Kyle, and try to fight your step-dad! Just kidding! But yeah, I as nice as multiple bikes are, sometimes choices have to be made, and the one that you have the most fun on, should prevail (unless the other one is a 2020 Husky 450 Rally Replica). Will you be road registering the smoker or keeping it for off-road use only?

Aah, I haven't tried that one! Will keep an eye out.

Marmite (NZ version), Vegemite, or Our Mate (Saffer Marmite)? For those pf you who are partial to the salty axle grease, whats' your go-to? EDIT: this random thought comes whilst I am eating corn thins with flora and Australian axle grease, in an attempt to curb my appetite and shed some kilos

It's a viscous cycle. I started off with a drill + 2x battery combo kit. It was a slippery slope into full on investment into the AEG platform, which means more tools, some of which came with bonus batteries, which required even MORE tools to make use of the batteries That said, I have a number of corded Makita tools, and would like the cordless versions, but can't bring myself to invest in another battery platform... so I got a Ridgid (AEG) to Makita battery adaptor (off Aliexpress). I am yet to try it, but it could open up whole new avenues into financial irresponsibility

The Tenere 700? Why such a variation? Is the R500k for the Rally Edition? If so that's mental! R199k for the standard isn't outrageous though. I know there was a discussion previously on this thread about the T7 vs KTM 790 Adventure R pricing and how the Tenere is overpriced. The gist of it was, that yes, in SA and compared to the KTM it seems pricey, but in the rest of the world the price f the T7 is about the same (About R186k here in NZ), whilst the KTM is far more expensive (at about R264k for a 2020 model or R291k for a 2021 in NZ) So in SA the problem isn't so much that the T7 is overpriced, but rather that the KTM is under-priced (compared to the global market with a price of R210k in SA), which isn't a bad problem to have. That said, I've seen a number on the roads here in NZ, and very few 790 Adventure R's. Seems Kiwis aren't keen to part with that extra R80k or so. Even as a big Husqvarna fanboy (and therefore by default a medium KTM fan), I'd consider the T7 over the 790 adventure. Partially on price, and partially on looks. It looks more like my dream bike (Husky 450 Rally) than the over-styles KTM.

Yesterday I had a run-in with the AEG rep at my local Bunnings (Aussie/Kiwi "Builder's Warehouse"). I may have been looking for trouble, as I knew it was the annual AEG promotion day. But still, knowingly I tempted fate, and my wallet ended up taking a beating. On the upside though, I walked away with minor scrapes, bruising and: An 18V brushless 15 gauge nail gun An 18V brushless planer A hybrid (18V and 240V) LED work light. (Super handy. I used to have one, but it bugged out after getting rained on while I was braaing ) Although I didn't get ANY discount on the above items... They did throw the following in for free (valued at around R6500 retail) 2x 3Ah 18V Force High Density batteriesTripod for work lightTool boxImpact driver bit setRecip saw bladesT-shirtCapBuilder's pencils and markers So despite some poor financial decisions, I think I came off ok. It could have been worse

I don't know if they still do it (or if they're still open), but on Wednesdays Lenin's (viaduct) did $5 beers with a free burger (home made, supermarket patties, but free). EDIT: I think Lenin's has closed down, but... 16 Tun is pretty cool.The Conservatory has big tasty pizzas,Sardines has a nice waterside vibe, and one can order certain menu items from both the neighbouring restaurants (White & Wongs and Burger Boy) andLula Inn is always pretty cool.Dr Rudi's is also nearby.No shortage of gathering spots around the Viaduct/Wynyard Quarter

Works for me!

Unfortunately I cannot make any gatherings this week. My kitchen currently looks like this ...and I need to do a heap-load of work to get it ready for the installers next week.

Sounds like a great idea! What about at Spur? Haha, just kidding! Viaduct or Newmarket could work for those working in the city. Viaduct is probably easier for those who bus to the Shore (little South Africa 1), Newmarket possibly easier for those who take public transport south-east (little South Africa 2). I'm fine with either!

Good points. An apples-vs-apples comparison is nearly impossible. There are just so many varying factors. NZ and Aus house prices (especially in main urban areas) will always seem ridiculous to us Saffers. But the comforting part (and what you picked up on with your Melbourne research) is that it is doable. I guess that main catch is the land (particularly in Auckland). Yes, the physical houses in NZ cost more for less. There are a number of contributing factors like: material costs (from living on islands on the other side of the world)stricter building codes & practices (not applicable to all houses though)higher labour rates (we all know that tradies make some decent bank, No "electrician" picked up outside Builder's Warehouse is getting paid R800+ an hour)BUT, the main cost lies in he land. I look at our little house, and based on the CV (which in the current market is pretty low): 70% value in land30% value in improvements (the actual house itself)60% increase in land value (2014 - 2017)17% increase in improvement (house) value (2014 - 2017), which is rare considering it's a 1950's weatherboard bungalow. Usually improvement values decrease slightly over time)So even taking houses, build quality, and all that out of it (which is still overpriced). In my area people are paying over R9m equiv. for under 500sqm of cross-leased land. That's about R18,000 per sqm. I think there are very few places in SA where land alone would cost one that much. Land and location is the main issue, and in a way that's fair because we choose to live in this specific location.

I know right! The fluctuations have played in my favour so far, but I do worry about the future. Our mortgage is split into parts to try benefit from fluctuating rates, as well as offer a little certainty. 47% fixed for 1yr47% fixed for 3yrs6% floating in an offset account Given the historic low, when it comes to re-fixing the 1yr portion in about 6 months time, I may opt to fix for longer. The 3yr will be up for re-fixing a year after that. NZ is a strange one where fixed rates are lower than floating. In SA (and in Aus I believe), it's the other way, and one pays a premium to fix the rate. Weird!

I did some quick comparison between the R10m vs $1m debt scenario (all the above and below based on a 1:10 exchange rate). In SA a R10m loan at 7% interest (current rate) over 30yrs would mean: R66,500 pm repaymentsR23,950,890 (~140%) paid over the total termIn NZ a R10m loan at 3% interest (0.5% above current rate) over 30yrs would mean: R42,160 pm repaymentsR15,177,750 (~52%) paid over the total termSo not only is the monthly cost in NZ approx. 2/3 of what it would be in SA (making it far more affordable, plus in general salaries at a direct conversion are higher in NZ), but over the life of a loan one can see how "money is cheap" in NZ. That 4% makes ALL the difference!