New Zealand - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

[patches]

Australia introduced the GST (10%) on imported goods sometime during this year. It has mostly been a painless adoption of process. There are no duties applied on what I've bought online and most online retailers based in Asia or Europe automatically add the GST so you don't end up paying on collection of goods.

 

The previous limit was $1,000 give or take. It was not strictly applied I understand.

 

Is the insurance compulsory? And why the addition of admin? I don't know of any clearance fees being applied on this side either. Sounds like you guys have been given the rough end of the stick.

 

Yeah, the more I read into it the less onerous it seems.

 

From some additional reading it seems like GST (15% in NZ) will be applied on all online orders. Duty will be applied on applicable goods.

• If the GST and duty are less than $60 then the fee will be waived.
• If the goods are valued at under $1000 and the GST + duty is greater than $60 then the purchaser will be required to pay that fee.
• If the goods are valued at over $1000 then the purchaser will pay GST + Duty + clearance fees (approx $55).

So where previously orders under $400 slipped under the radar, now those between $400 and $1000 aren't subject to the clearance and bio-security levies (the $55 odd), well at least according to my limited understanding.

[hayleyearth]

Yeah, the more I read into it the less onerous it seems.

 

From some additional reading it seems like GST (15% in NZ) will be applied on all online orders. Duty will be applied on applicable goods.

• If the GST and duty are less than $60 then the fee will be waived.
• If the goods are valued at under $1000 and the GST + duty is greater than $60 then the purchaser will be required to pay that fee.
• If the goods are valued at over $1000 then the purchaser will pay GST + Duty + clearance fees (approx $55).

So where previously orders under $400 slipped under the radar, now those between $400 and $1000 aren't subject to the clearance and bio-security levies (the $55 odd), well at least according to my limited understanding

 

We bought something 2 weeks ago online, can't remember the purchase price, but knew about the added GST rules so went to calculate that before buying from overseas, it worked out to only $58, so knew we would be okay (shipping cost was not added to the amount when calculated). 

 

Parcel was ordered on the Friday from UK, was on our porch on the Tuesday. (Didn't expect that.)

[intern]

Tech conference central! I was there for the big Autodesk one as well as visiting my sister who lives in Henderson.

 

So funny to see how they "silicon valley-ize" it all by having dog lounges (for therapy dogs), the big laser & light show and the CEO jumping out on stage like a rock star, and the general feel of the thing.

 

The Autodesk conference was big (approx 10,000 attendees) and held at the Venetian Sands Expo.

I can only imagine that the AWS one is even bigger, and more silicon-valley-ey

This one's at the Sands too and they were nice enough to give me a posh suite in the Venetian with a lounge and separate bathroom and marble floors and two TVs and whatnot, too. Thanks AWS! haha.

[davetapson]

Hey Intern

 

They tell me that White Island is erupting...?  

[patches]

Some good deals on Grab-a-Seat today

 

https://www.grabaseat.co.nz/

 

A bunch of US destinations from $800 return

Loads of Aus and NZ flights too.

[Hairy]

What is the news / vibe like with the volcano that erupted in NZ?

[patches]

What is the news / vibe like with the volcano that erupted in NZ?

 

I'm not sure what sort of details you heard over your end, but yesterday evening (from about 5pm - 7pm) there were multiple breaking news bulletins every 30min with updates on the disaster.

 

There was also a press conference with the Prime Minister, deputy police commissioner and someone from Civil Defence (or something like that).

 

With the death-toll at 5 (when I last checked), 8 people still missing and the unlikelihood of survivors still on the island, there is generally quite a sombre mood in the media.

 

The volcano is on an island about 50km off the coast. Whakatane is the nearest major town. It has recently had its Alert Level upgraded to a 2 (scale 0 to 5 as per below). Currently the Alert is at a 3.

 

 

Tour operators were still permitted to visit the island at their own risk. Unfortunately the risk was far greater than they anticipated.

Edited December 9, 2019 by patches

[intern]

Hey Intern

 

They tell me that White Island is erupting...?  

Yep seen on the news. I knew the one chap who was killed, Hayden - was matey with him but not mates, he used to work at the local charty club before becoming a skipper for white island tours. Pretty tragic he was a good bugger.

 

I'm in Phoenix AZ at the moment, so I am not on scene.

[davetapson]

Yep seen on the news. I knew the one chap who was killed, Hayden - was matey with him but not mates, he used to work at the local charty club before becoming a skipper for white island tours. Pretty tragic he was a good bugger.

 

I'm in Phoenix AZ at the moment, so I am not on scene.

 

Damn.

 

You walk around on live volcanoes, occasionally they go boom.

[intern]

Damn.

 

You walk around on live volcanoes, occasionally they go boom.

Yep. I took my wife and younger brother there on a helicopter tour back in '11 I think it was. Here's a picture:

[davetapson]

Yep. I took my wife and younger brother there on a helicopter tour back in '11 I think it was. Here's a picture:

The missus lived in Whakatane for a year or so back in the day - loved it, and has been meaning to show us her old stomping grounds, including White Island...

[BaGearA]

Tech conference central! I was there for the big Autodesk one as well as visiting my sister who lives in Henderson.

 

So funny to see how they "silicon valley-ize" it all by having dog lounges (for therapy dogs), the big laser & light show and the CEO jumping out on stage like a rock star, and the general feel of the thing.

 

The Autodesk conference was big (approx 10,000 attendees) and held at the Venetian Sands Expo.

I can only imagine that the AWS one is even bigger, and more silicon-valley-ey

how are you involved with Autodesk ?

[patches]

how are you involved with Autodesk ?

 

Just a humble user.

 

Started off with 3D AutoCAD models back in 2002. Worked many years for an engineering firm specializing in industrial plant design (so used lots of AutoCAD Plant 3D, P&ID, Inventor and Navisworks). That firm, being large and global, has an ELA (Enterprise License Agreement) with Autodesk, so we always had access to the latest goodies.

 

Moved over to Revit when I moved to NZ about 4yrs ago (worked for the same firm but transferred to Building Services). Became the BIM Manager there so was responsible for C4R (Collaboration for Revit) and BIM360 administration.

 

...aaand then I moved client side, public healthcare sector, where we have a grand total of ONE license, and I open Revit/AutoCAD/Navisworks maybe once every 2 weeks 

 

My role now is more around workflows, strategy and governance so my involvement with Autodesk is simply to keep my finger on the pulse, understand what technology is out there, as well as compare alternatives.

 

Only reason I went to the conference was because I was visiting my sister in Vegas for her birthday, and it happened to coincide with Autodesk University, so I bought myself a 1 day pass to go see what all the fuss was about.

 

Long answer, but yeah!

 

And you? In the engineering field? Revit, CAD, Inventor (my favourite)?

Edited December 12, 2019 by patches

[Wayne Potgieter]

Just found out I need to attend a conference in April in Las Vegas.

 

Will be my first time going.

 

Any tips?

[Kalahari Vegmot]

Just found out I need to attend a conference in April in Las Vegas.

 

Will be my first time going.

 

Any tips?

Condoms?

 

Tbh though if my experience of the US is anything to go by you haven't got much to worry about. Lyft/Uber for transport, and a VISA card and you should be set..

 

Oh and you might need a new SIM card if you're staying a while(Walmart; BestBuy etc); or just leech off the wifi all the time...

[patches]

Just found out I need to attend a conference in April in Las Vegas.

 

Will be my first time going.

 

Any tips?

 

From a practicality point of view

• Spark $20 roaming pack (1GB data and 200 minutes and 200 texts). Vodaphone will have an equiv if you're with them.
• Used my bank cards everywhere. Muricans aren't big on paywave. Costco was the only place my card didn't work becasue it was Mastercard and not Visa.
• Used Uber and Lyft a LOT. Compare prices for each trip. They can vary by up to 50%.
• If you rent a car (dirt cheap) be prepared to go into full JHB driver mode. NZ has made me soft and those Vegas drivers are terrible at indicating before changing lanes. The I15 freeway is your friend when getting around most places.
• Tipping... once again, NZ has made me soft/stingy and not used to tipping people, haha!

From an exploration point of view:

• The Strip. It's why most people visit Las Vegas.
• See if there are any good shows on at Caesars Palace (I went and saw Seinfeld live there).
• The High-Roller ferris wheel is also a cool way to see the city at night. Look out for Groupon type vouchers on it (and most other touristy things you may want to do).
• Belagio fountains at night.
• Carroll Shelby museum. It's free, and has 2 guided tours daily. I went and saw it, then Ford vs Ferrari the next day.
• Old Las Vegas. Freemont street etc.
• Outlet Malls. there are 2 (Premium North and Premium South). I wouldn't say it's worthwhile to visit both though. 

As I was visiting locals I spent much of my time in the suburbs (Henderson, Green Valley and Summerlin). Many locals only go down to the Strip if they have to. Most will find entertainment elsewhere. Local malls, casinos etc.

 

I have heard there are some good hikes out at Red Rock Canyon national park (not too far out of town).