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

[patches]

3 hours ago, Slowbee said:

While you guys are here, what do you need to buy a sim card ?

Specifically a data sim card?

 

 

1 hour ago, Wayne Potgieter said:

Nothing. When you land, go to one of the many cellphone providers at the airport and simply buy one. There is no serious paperwork as such. Data is ridiculously cheap here compared to RSA.

 

I recommend Spark as I was on Vodafone but struggled with patchy signal. 

What Wayne said. There is literally a Spark stand outside the International Arrivals doors at Christchurch Airport (although you will be taken a different way).

But yeah, when I first landed (at around 11:30pm) I walked up to the Spark stall. Asked to buy a Pay-as-you-go sim-card. Ended up taking out a phone contract (based on data rates, free Spotify Premium, and the ability to add 200min/country of international calling for just $10pm). Only thing they needed was my passport an job offer (which stated my salary), if I recall correctly. No 3 months bank statements, No Proof of Residence. It's super simple here.

The idea is, it's up to you to pay. If you don't pay, they stop service. Kiwis are so trusting, haha!

But yeah, super easy to get sim cards. Contracts too. The one thing they do differently here is sell the contract separately from the phone.

 

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

8 hours ago, Slowbee said:

@ Patches, we are actually going down to Christchurch.

It was very much a zero to go. November 2020 we decided we wanted to go. Started meeting with agents about visa requirements etc.  In December we put up our house for sale and business's for sale. Jan/Feb we got all paperwork on the go. But by then had figured out that we would do the visa application ourselves. The Mrs landed a boat load of job interviews during Feb/March (which is another story altogether!). In March 2021 we signed the job contract to start middle Sep 2021. The company helped us with the final paperwork bits and pieces for a critical purpose visa application. We had to wait the longest for the police clearance certificate (6 weeks) which was issued to us end of May 21. Three days later we had our critical purpose visa. June was a bit of a break from everything (selling, moving, renting etc). During July (this month), I spent almost every waking hour in front of the PC trying to get into MIQ. I had variable auto refresh timing systems to try find us a date. The number of times I fell asleep in front of the PC was silly. Getting a date on this MIQ system was the most stressful thing I have ever had to do. Our futures lay in getting a date. The system is challenging to say the least, being "fully" booked till the end of November and "bots" taking dates before they even came online.

Through facebook I found some help and eventually got a booking into MIQ for the 18 September. Then it was a case of making sure we could get flights to match the dates. Because once you have a date, you have 72 hrs to confirm a flight based on the MIQ website telling you which flights you will be allowed on. Once that is uploaded and approved, they issue you with your MIQ voucher which you need to get onto the place to start your journey to NZ.

Turns out our employer was only expecting us at the end of Feb 2022, even though we had signed for starting middle Sep 2021.

Our house was sold in Jan 2021. Two of the 3 business's have been sold, with hand over dates at the end of August. We are keeping the smaller one for the moment.

So yes, if all goes well, 11 months from start to finish.

May I ask in what industry your wife is, to have qualified for the CPV?

[Slowbee]

3 hours ago, patches said:

 

What Wayne said. There is literally a Spark stand outside the International Arrivals doors at Christchurch Airport (although you will be taken a different way).

But yeah, when I first landed (at around 11:30pm) I walked up to the Spark stall. Asked to buy a Pay-as-you-go sim-card. Ended up taking out a phone contract (based on data rates, free Spotify Premium, and the ability to add 200min/country of international calling for just $10pm). Only thing they needed was my passport an job offer (which stated my salary), if I recall correctly. No 3 months bank statements, No Proof of Residence. It's super simple here.

The idea is, it's up to you to pay. If you don't pay, they stop service. Kiwis are so trusting, haha!

But yeah, super easy to get sim cards. Contracts too. The one thing they do differently here is sell the contract separately from the phone.

 

Because of the NZ biosecurity bubble we are not allowed into any shops. From the moment we land we are kept in a "bubble". Even moving through border control. We go straight from border control  onto a bus for 14 day isloation. No shopping allowed, it is you and your carry on. They even go so far as to drop your luggage off for you your hotel. The FB pages say you get given a sim card, but if I could get one before we land, that would be great.

Would one guys be prepared to send a sim card in exchange for a few cold ones ? I would re imburse you so you are not out of pocket.

[Slowbee]

14 minutes ago, Steven Knoetze (sk27) said:

May I ask in what industry your wife is, to have qualified for the CPV?

Veterinary.

There is a real shortage over there. A few of her interviewers even made us offers in the middle of the interview. They were all more or less the same.

It was only the one group (Christchurch), that made her an offer that would have been crazy to turn down as a starter. And the only reason they did this was one of our previous employees just happened to "know" the inside line on all the other offers and what they could do to sweeten the upfront deal without to and from negotiations.

 

 

[bertusras]

This thread has generated a lot of excitement on my end. Well done Slowbee, sounds like an incredible couple of months. We're also ready and rearing to go, but Australia is a bit slow in their process.

[Wayne Potgieter]

13 hours ago, Slowbee said:

Because of the NZ biosecurity bubble we are not allowed into any shops. From the moment we land we are kept in a "bubble". Even moving through border control. We go straight from border control  onto a bus for 14 day isloation. No shopping allowed, it is you and your carry on. They even go so far as to drop your luggage off for you your hotel. The FB pages say you get given a sim card, but if I could get one before we land, that would be great.

Would one guys be prepared to send a sim card in exchange for a few cold ones ? I would re imburse you so you are not out of pocket.

Yep, Ill organise one for you.

 

Which hotel are you going to?

Commodore?

[patches]

15 hours ago, Slowbee said:

Because of the NZ biosecurity bubble we are not allowed into any shops. From the moment we land we are kept in a "bubble". Even moving through border control. We go straight from border control  onto a bus for 14 day isloation. No shopping allowed, it is you and your carry on. They even go so far as to drop your luggage off for you your hotel. The FB pages say you get given a sim card, but if I could get one before we land, that would be great.

Would one guys be prepared to send a sim card in exchange for a few cold ones ? I would re imburse you so you are not out of pocket.

Yeah, I figured with the current situation they would whisk you away to your hotel without seeing much of the airport.

Not to fear though. Wayne sounds like he has you sorted, plus I believe one can do certain online shopping (like from Countdown supermarket) and the MIQ staff will get it to you. With the absence RICA requirements, buying a sim from a supermarket should get one up and running. 

If you're at the Novatel or Sudima then then the staff may even organise supply runs to Countdown for you (it's like 200m down the road from those hotels).

[patches]

The bad...

it's no secret that groceries in NZ are significantly more expensive when compared to Aus (won't even try compare to SA).

Just look at current prices of produce like cucumbers (around $6ea) and red peppers (around $4ea).

So it's no surprise that some of the wealthiest kiwis are supermarket owners. The owner of my local Pak n Save is reportedly worth over $60M.

On the positive side, the alarm bells have been ringing and the Commerce Commission has released their draft findings.

The just of it is that NZ is at the mercy of a duopoly, Foodstuffs and Woolworths (formerly Progressive Foods, and no relation to Woolies in SA).

I guess the challenge is, who is willing to step in to even things out? I believe Aldi isn't interested (that would have been my preference. Love the magic that can be found in that middle aisle). Perhaps Coles might be on the cards?

Edited July 29, 2021 by patches

[Wayne Potgieter]

3 hours ago, patches said:

The bad...

it's no secret that groceries in NZ are significantly more expensive when compared to Aus (won't even try compare to SA).

Just look at current prices of produce like cucumbers (around $6ea) and red peppers (around $4ea).

So it's no surprise that some of the wealthiest kiwis are supermarket owners. The owner of my local Pak n Save is reportedly worth over $60M.

On the positive side, the alarm bells have been ringing and the Commerce Commission has released their draft findings.

The just of it is that NZ is at the mercy of a duopoly, Foodstuffs and Woolworths (formerly Progressive Foods, and no relation to Woolies in SA).

I guess the challenge is, who is willing to step in to even things out? I believe Aldi isn't interested (that would have been my preference. Love the magic that can be found in that middle aisle). Perhaps Coles might be on the cards?

I wonder if Costco will have a grocery division?

[Slowbee]

10 hours ago, patches said:

The bad...

it's no secret that groceries in NZ are significantly more expensive when compared to Aus (won't even try compare to SA).

Just look at current prices of produce like cucumbers (around $6ea) and red peppers (around $4ea).

So it's no surprise that some of the wealthiest kiwis are supermarket owners. The owner of my local Pak n Save is reportedly worth over $60M.

On the positive side, the alarm bells have been ringing and the Commerce Commission has released their draft findings.

The just of it is that NZ is at the mercy of a duopoly, Foodstuffs and Woolworths (formerly Progressive Foods, and no relation to Woolies in SA).

I guess the challenge is, who is willing to step in to even things out? I believe Aldi isn't interested (that would have been my preference. Love the magic that can be found in that middle aisle). Perhaps Coles might be on the cards?

What is the "home grown" market like ? Sort of the organic non commercial space. People who grow their own veggies from home or on small land areas?

I fully realise this might be fantasy, but one of the things I am hoping to change is eating better. Now of course NZ is an small land mass, but would be great to get all the supplies from within a 50km radius. And of course organic.
In CT have the Philipi farms and Zetlers and a whole bunch of others getting fresh produce is relatively easy. But getting fresh organic stuff is more tricky and more pricey.

Like the veggie thread on the hub, is growing veggies at home a thing in NZ ?

 

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

1 hour ago, Slowbee said:

What is the "home grown" market like ? Sort of the organic non commercial space. People who grow their own veggies from home or on small land areas?

I fully realise this might be fantasy, but one of the things I am hoping to change is eating better. Now of course NZ is an small land mass, but would be great to get all the supplies from within a 50km radius. And of course organic.
In CT have the Philipi farms and Zetlers and a whole bunch of others getting fresh produce is relatively easy. But getting fresh organic stuff is more tricky and more pricey.

Like the veggie thread on the hub, is growing veggies at home a thing in NZ ?

 

You won't need to water it.......

[patches]

15 hours ago, Slowbee said:

What is the "home grown" market like ? Sort of the organic non commercial space. People who grow their own veggies from home or on small land areas?

I fully realise this might be fantasy, but one of the things I am hoping to change is eating better. Now of course NZ is an small land mass, but would be great to get all the supplies from within a 50km radius. And of course organic.
In CT have the Philipi farms and Zetlers and a whole bunch of others getting fresh produce is relatively easy. But getting fresh organic stuff is more tricky and more pricey.

Like the veggie thread on the hub, is growing veggies at home a thing in NZ ?

 

Local community "farmers" markets are really popular. Matakana, Clevedon, Avondale, and the French Market (Parnell) are popular ones in and around Auckland.

In Christchurch your best bet will be the Riccarton farmers market. There are likely others, especially as you explore areas like Oxford, Sheffield etc (great pie shops there BTW).

Kiwis love the locally sourced, home grown, organic, artisanal ethos, so finding produce meeting those criteria shouldn't be too hard.

As for growing your own, we grow some veggies and herbs in planter boxes on our deck. Zucchini, eggplant, snap peas, etc. A number of people I know grow their own stuff too.

As I'm guessing you'll be renting when your first move over, you'll likely have to check with the landlord if it's ok. Good thing is, in Christchurch you're likely to find rentals with more space for cheaper than in Auckland.

Another option is community gardens. There are a few in Christchurch. If I recall correctly even some on the red zone (where earthquake damaged houses were removed and nature reclaimed the land). Some are also used as community support or education for those with mental or psychological challenges. 

 

[Slowbee]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/30/bots-and-scalpers-desperate-kiwis-try-everything-to-get-into-fortress-new-zealand

The problem is with the MIQ booking system. But the principle and enforcement of the MIQ system are good ones.

 

 

 

[Slowbee]

Oh yes, any chance one of you can create me a trademe profile ?

Despite having a VPN the system wont let me past the "click through".

There are one or two items we (I) am considering buying before we get there. Electronics are really cheap compared to here. Yes Yes, irresponsible and all that jazz. What is that I hear .... n+1 ....

[davetapson]

22 hours ago, Slowbee said:

Oh yes, any chance one of you can create me a trademe profile ?

Despite having a VPN the system wont let me past the "click through".

There are one or two items we (I) am considering buying before we get there. Electronics are really cheap compared to here. Yes Yes, irresponsible and all that jazz. What is that I hear .... n+1 ....

Yep, check DM's / PM's whatever they're called.

 

[davetapson]

Re the sim card, dunno if duty free is a thing still, but you used to be able to pick them up on the way through the airport with no rica'ring etc.  

I got a month one, converted it to proper contract at the end of the month.