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

[patches]

My Mrs was in Wellington for a bachelorette this last weekend....should I be suspicious   

 

hahaha! I hope this doesn't add to your suspiscions, but there were some ladies dressed in hen's do gear, checking into the same hotel (Park Hotel) around the same time 

[Wayne Potgieter]

My Mrs was in Wellington for a bachelorette this last weekend....should I be suspicious   

 

 

yes

 

 

hahaha! I hope this doesn't add to your suspiscions, but there were some ladies dressed in hen's do gear, checking into the same hotel (Park Hotel) around the same time 

 

@Intern - told you so...

[Flippa]

Anyone got kids racing BMX that side?

 

My cousin and his kid got into BMX in a big way after the new track was built in Auckland. It looks top class.

[l4y3rcake]

My cousin and his kid got into BMX in a big way after the new track was built in Auckland. It looks top class.

 

Im glad. We are heavily involved here in SA and my kids would freak if they aren't close to a track.

[l4y3rcake]

We spent some time down in the windy city (Wellington) this weekend. My sister, brother-in-law, and nephew are fresh off the boat, so we thought it might be nice for them to see some familiar faces, and get a crash course in kiwi everyday life.

 

It was rather amusing to observe all their reactions to things like supermarkets, public transport, parks, etc.

 

What was also quite educational for me is that I have not appreciated how hard inflation has hit SA in the last 4yrs.

 

Whilst strolling through Pak n Save, K-Mart and various other stores my sister kept saying "oh, that's actually cheaper here" or "that's about the same price" to numerous products. I can't account for the cost of living difference first hand, but it seems it's not as stark as it once was (if that's of any comfort to those looking to move over here).

 

 

My wife and I have been doing the math and from a groceries point of view the cost per week is around the same as here in SA. Cost of meat is about 30% more but we don't splurge on such often except when we braai.

 

The cost of living goes sky high when you start factoring in transport and housing. Where our bond here in SA would be around R12k , our rent or bond in NZ would be over double that.

Edited February 3, 2020 by l4y3rcake

[Hairy]

My wife and I have been doing the math and from a groceries point of view the cost per week is around the same as here in SA. Cost of meat is about 30% more but we don't splurge on such often except when we braai.

 

The cost of living goes sky high when you start factoring in transport and housing. Where our bond here in SA would be around R12k , our rent or bond in NZ would be over double that.

and if you ever moved to Cape Town that rent/bond of 12K would also be over double what you are paying in JHB

[l4y3rcake]

and if you ever moved to Cape Town that rent/bond of 12K would also be over double what you are paying in JHB

Actually just checked again and the rent would be around R32k per month.

Edited February 3, 2020 by l4y3rcake

[Ramrod]

Today was my first day as an electrician assistant , long term goal is to qualify a few of the licenses and end up in NZ in 6/7 years 

 

Have so far learned that I'll have to do quite few tests that side cause our systems of supply differ and that I can actually already go apply for my trade test turns out im more than qualified , some areas of practical experience might be lacking still so gona do the year and make an appointment early next year 

congrats and good luck!

[patches]

Today was my first day as an electrician assistant , long term goal is to qualify a few of the licenses and end up in NZ in 6/7 years 

 

Have so far learned that I'll have to do quite few tests that side cause our systems of supply differ and that I can actually already go apply for my trade test turns out im more than qualified , some areas of practical experience might be lacking still so gona do the year and make an appointment early next year 

 

That's awesome!

 

And good choice of vocation. Sparkies here can make a killing! Especially because NZ is pretty strict on DIY stuff around the house, so people end up paying upwards of $60/hr to get a sparky out to do things that Saffers would usually do themselves.

 

One of the hospital electricians is a Saffer. We work with him quite a bit. If you have any questions around what courses, certs etc may be useful and help get you into NZ and which ones aren't. Just drop me a PM.

[intern]

Today was my first day as an electrician assistant , long term goal is to qualify a few of the licenses and end up in NZ in 6/7 years 

 

Have so far learned that I'll have to do quite few tests that side cause our systems of supply differ and that I can actually already go apply for my trade test turns out im more than qualified , some areas of practical experience might be lacking still so gona do the year and make an appointment early next year 

A man with a plan - good onya and best wishes.

[davetapson]

Actually just checked again and the rent would be around R32k per month.

 

Doesn't have to be quite that much, but if you want to live in a four bedroom house on the (South to mid) North Shore, yep. 

 

My accountant lives towards Titirangi and pretty obviously thinks we are stone-cold stupid to be paying around that on rent.  We probably are.

[Hairy]

Today was my first day as an electrician assistant , long term goal is to qualify a few of the licenses and end up in NZ in 6/7 years 

 

Have so far learned that I'll have to do quite few tests that side cause our systems of supply differ and that I can actually already go apply for my trade test turns out im more than qualified , some areas of practical experience might be lacking still so gona do the year and make an appointment early next year 

6-7 years will fly by, especially in the beginning while your mind and body is working hard learning a new trade.

 

Best wishes.

 

In SA you can also make a killing if you are a good electrician who is always on site when needed and can work neatly and accurately.

 

The one thing that I see local electrical contractors often falling flat on is not being on top of their game when it comes to administration. Especially when it comes to variations while a project is on site and timelines are tight. Document the changes and if you know it will have an effect on your programe, note this, even if just in an email. At the end of the project you need not claim the delays, but if you need them later you at least have this documentation to back you up.

 

As frustrating as this is, make sure you get it right. It will save you time and money, and when / if there are any discussions later in the game you have a track record of deviations, etc.

[MrJacques]

That's awesome!

 

And good choice of vocation. Sparkies here can make a killing! Especially because NZ is pretty strict on DIY stuff around the house, so people end up paying upwards of $60/hr to get a sparky out to do things that Saffers would usually do themselves.

 

One of the hospital electricians is a Saffer. We work with him quite a bit. If you have any questions around what courses, certs etc may be useful and help get you into NZ and which ones aren't. Just drop me a PM.

 

Come on now, we are perfectly capable of doing our own electrical repairs

 

 

On a serious note, how strict are they? It does make sense from a health and safety perspective and also for giving the sparkies jobs, but for someone who is used to / like diy it must be a bit frustrating to not be allowed to do your own repairs.

[hayleyearth]

So the main thing probably why I am in NZ is that I can do outdoors activities without suspecting someone will attack me or my loved ones...Sooo in saying that we are cycling part of the Hauraki trail coming Friday and Saturday with out 1.5 year old little girl. (Thames to Waihi)

 

Distance wise it is not far for us pedaling, but we are not sure how Layla will cope with all the way in the seat and trailer on the gravel roads and paths so we are keeping it short for the 1st go. If all goes well (which we think it will) we will be planning the 2nd trip soon soon.

 

(Layla has been a good passenger on the bikes from a very young age, @ 9 weeks old we cycled 32km with her around a French Island.... what were we thinking!)

[patches]

Come on now, we are perfectly capable of doing our own electrical repairs

 

 

On a serious note, how strict are they? It does make sense from a health and safety perspective and also for giving the sparkies jobs, but for someone who is used to / like diy it must be a bit frustrating to not be allowed to do your own repairs.

 

You got it! The main reason behind the strictness is H&S. Second to that is an attempt to rectify the sins of the 80's and 90's where anyone and everyone built houses with very little experience and care, relying on the old "she'll be right" kiwi motto. The result was leaky buildings with all sorts of abominable kludges.

 

So now they are strict. Worksafe NZ has regulations on what a homeowner can and cannot do (although they are vague sometimes).

 

Am I permitted to change a lightbulb without an electrician... yes.

But add a power point... no

change a pendant for some downlights... no

 

And plumbing is much the same. DIY limitations apply.

 

Plus we're subject to "resource consent". So if one wants to do something like add a shower to a bathroom, they have to apply to the local council for resource consent to ensure that the additional demand doesn't put strain on the system.

 

It makes re-modelling or adding bathrooms a tiresome and costly affair.

Edited February 4, 2020 by patches

[davetapson]

So the main thing probably why I am in NZ is that I can do outdoors activities without suspecting someone will attack me or my loved ones...

 

My 9 yo daughter got lost walking home last week.  We were sitting waiting to drop my son off for cricket practice and she was bored and asked if she could walk home, and please would I pick her up if I passed her.  I said yes - it's not far and we've done it often enough.

 

Got home.  No kid.

 

Damn, rushed back to school, called my wife, paced the entire neighbourhood.  After half an hour, called the police.  Complete panic - thinking the worst.

 

Anyway, my wife called our friends to get them out looking and one found her walking back from the direction our old house was - just about the same time a police patrol rocked by.  He reckoned he broke into a cold sweat at the thought of bundling my daughter into his car with a patrol car watching!

 

It's so instinctive for us to believe the worst immediately, whereas the truth here is that very much most likely it's just that your kid has got lost and it's a matter of finding them.  She was walking back to school, and we would have found her there.

 

The police were calm and accommodating - they routed my call straight to 111 (911), no problems when I reported her found. Professional and sympathetic.

 

Also lost my son a while ago when up at the Te Paki dunes (making a habit of this!) - we decided to move from the bottom of one dune to another about 200m away.  My son wanted to walk over the top so we said ok.  He walked just one crest too far, and then down, then turned away instead of towards where we were.   When we figured he was lost, it was just a matter of finding his footprints and following them.  It wasn't pleasant, but at least we knew it was just a matter of finding a lost kid who had left a clear track, not that someone was likely to have abducted him...

 

It's quite hard to get out of the 'really, really **** things can and do happen to you as a matter of course' mentality...