davetapson

The question I ask myself when I see knee jerk response by those who think they are in charge, is 'would this legislation have any material effect on stopping the event that triggered it?' I'm against knee-jerk responses, particularly by politicians who in my eye's are loathesome beasts, but the simple answer in this case would most likely be 'yes'. The logistics of making an ammonium nitrate bomb are way more (and way more tedious) than picking up your fettled AR15 being blown to pieces is way less cinematic than going out in a one-sided gunfight.

Dunno if this is a bad, but is there any coverage of the Epic? Looking for those 30m reviews... Sent from my Nokia 7 plus using Tapatalk

This is good to know. I think I'm going to contact ANZ for a named card...

Ouch. You ok? (Apart from the broken thumb I suppose... they manage to do something sensible to fix it?)

Here's a random question. We've paid INZ for the residence application using a NZ debit card. We don't have NZ credit cards. On their site they say they accept Visa and Mastercard, but only mention credit cards. They don't anywhere mention explicitly that they DON'T accept debit cards. Has anyone paid for applications using debit cards? I assume debit cards are ok, but the missus is stressing... Edit: found another page - they say that for paper applications (by which I assume they mean applications put in by paper - e.g. residence) you can use credit cards, debit cards and prezzy cards (whatever a prezzy card is...) https://www.immigration.govt.nz/knowledgebase/kb-question/kb-question-5335

Oh, and got our residence application in two weeks or so ago. Any idea how long it takes? Sent from my Nokia 7 plus using Tapatalk

I did IELTS as an English speaker. Got 9's for everything except writing where I got 7.5. If 8 is a minimum, try and get some coaching in essays from someone who knows about this stuff, or see if any of the other options are easier. It may also be that I'm crap at writing of course. I've met a number of other emigrants here that can't communicate (like at all) in English and wonder how the hell they got in. Sent from my Nokia 7 plus using Tapatalk

Done. Thanks Wayne.

Question for Kiwi's - have you applied for passports through SA Consulate in Wellington, and if so how long did it take? I see Wayne's post saying they say it will be 12 months - is that the case in actuality? We've finally got our residence application together, plus new, valid police clearances from SA and the UK (been 3 frkn sets of each on this journey), ask 20 y.o who's just come back from U.K. for her passport - no, she's lost it...

Damn. Time flies...

Dunno, but they've got cool little electric tjorries. Although did see a guy labouring up a hill on a bike. Figured out might be worth getting the job just for the training opportunities. Beats humping a bag through South London estates that I did in a previous life.

Actually, I can't wait. Shake the dust off and all that. But sad. And what's happening in Zim reinforces this all.

I contacted a group called Financial Emigration to enquire about FE. They want R1800 to do a tax review prior to starting. Does this sound right?

Am going to try xe.com and see what their fees come out like.

You don't know my mom... Also is expensive, two banks fees plus *** exchange rate.

Supporting my aged mother. It's better if I can transfer cash from an SA account to her account rather than getting her to organise receipt of foreign transfers. Speaking of which, if anyone has ZARs mouldering away...[emoji6]

Can you keep a functioning bank account after financially emigrating?

Going by their behaviour and the trail of trash that continually seems to have surrounded them, they look suspiciously like gypsies...

Has anyone imported or know anyone who has imported a motorcycle into NZ? Wouldn't mind getting an XT500, not something that seems particularly available locally, but some available in SA.

Looks like an option, for sure. You done this at all, Wayne?

And I need a boat. In the n+1 sense. kayaks / sail / power. Also did my first ride. This place has hills like Benoni doesn't. Granny gear was my friend.

We did a short sharp trip to Rotarua and surrounds. Couple of things we learned: 1. You can't base yourself centrally and then do day trips around - 80km in NZ is not the same and 80km in SA. 2. You can't rock up at attractions in high season and expect to get in without prior booking. This of course has the pro that you end up doing stuff you hadn't planned to do. 3. There is real pleasure to be gained in living in a place where individuals make a difference, and their legacies get passed on e.g some dude deciding the local dump is ugly and a few decades later *foom* Hamilton Gardens. 4. The sun here bites.

$184 to courier docs to Pta Postnet via DHL Express. Is there maybe a cheaper option for next time?

There was a bloke who rode an R1 around the world (twice around Oz). When he got back to the U.K. Yamaha stripped it to see how it held up. No appreciable wear was the result. Can't find the article, but here's the guy. https://www.visordown.com/features/guides/nick-sanders-advice-sportsbike-touring

ITA through. Next round of docs. It's taken a year or two to get to this point but seems quick... Edit: June 2017 we started - I see a few nervous "how did you..." DM's to Wayne, Patches and Hayley. Thanks for your help... what would we do without the hub!