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

[patches]

1 hour ago, Wayne Potgieter said:

Gosh, I could see myself living here....

https://mtcardronastation.co.nz/

Looks awesome! Definitely my favourite island!

A few years back I went on a horse trek around those hills and trail guides were pointing out that there was a development coming (which may have been this one). They were of course anti, but you can't deny that it's a pretty awesome place to live.

 

[patches]

Local council campaigning is heating up in my neighbourhood.

 

 

[Wayne Potgieter]

5 hours ago, patches said:

Local council campaigning is heating up in my neighbourhood.

 

 

Ooof. Someones angry at Mr Grant.

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

Not a fan of Jacinda, this adds to my dislike:

 

Edited September 2, 2022 by Steven Knoetze (sk27)

[patches]

We went to Roto-Vegas for the weekend and decided to rent eBikes to ride the Forest Loop (approx 33km).

Dare I say I rather enjoyed cycling in "easy mode" 😅

I can recommend for anyone looking for a nice outdoor activity in the redwoods, and perfectly suitable to non-cyclist types.

 

[patches]

Business Tech had an article on "What does R3m get you around the world"

https://businesstech.co.za/news/property/620301/heres-what-a-r3-million-property-looks-like-in-south-africa-vs-london-australia-new-zealand-and-ireland/?fbclid=IwAR2aAybsxTmWUod9GF_ev2aIURFkiulcx-bi2VcKoFB6L9Ze1DRtwZ3K1hY

Anyone else see the issue with the Parnell property they listed? 😂

[DJR]

Was wondering about Slowbee and his family. Been very quiet from their corner.

[E1A104]

On 9/21/2016 at 8:34 AM, Wayne Potgieter said:

Geez, the Hubber contingent in NZ is growing like mad.

 

Lets get a list going of all the folks on here that are in the land of the long white cloud.

 

(forgive me if i dont put your name on here - those that know me well will understand what a Moron I actually am)

 

Wayne - East Auckland

Ramrod - North Shore

Hayley - East Auckland

Intern - Whakatane

DawieO - 

NiteRider - Maraetai

Delgado - (i think Wellington)

Patches - Earthquake Central

Beanz - Not Sure

Big Bens Brother

Pappa Bear -  Not Sure

Nolipoli - North Shore

 

Actually, perhaps if you are keen, PM me your local numbers. I will create a whatsapp group for rides and general misbehaving.

 

Sweet as Bro's (that includes you Hayley)

E1A104 - Wellington

[the nerd]

On 9/5/2022 at 3:06 AM, patches said:

Business Tech had an article on "What does R3m get you around the world"

https://businesstech.co.za/news/property/620301/heres-what-a-r3-million-property-looks-like-in-south-africa-vs-london-australia-new-zealand-and-ireland/?fbclid=IwAR2aAybsxTmWUod9GF_ev2aIURFkiulcx-bi2VcKoFB6L9Ze1DRtwZ3K1hY

Anyone else see the issue with the Parnell property they listed? 😂

The other issue they've completely missed is the article is based on exchange rate and not on affordability or even interest rates! 

 

Whats the interest rate in NZ for a home loan at the moment? 

[patches]

5 hours ago, the nerd said:

The other issue they've completely missed is the article is based on exchange rate and not on affordability or even interest rates! 

 

Whats the interest rate in NZ for a home loan at the moment? 

Totally agree, comparing R3m (or approx NZD 300,000), around the world is not a great way to indicate affordability, but with so many variables (salaries relating to specific industries, tax brackets, interest rates, min. deposit %, etc).

I guess they were looking for a quick way to compare, and a little bit of click-bait to help the people in Parktown North feel better about their "expensive" homes. 

Besides, all us Saffer expats are guilty of converting back to Rands, whether buying a house or a box of smarties 😅

A more accurate comparison would be the dept-income ratio between the median household income and the average house price in a specific region. Even then, unemployment rates may skew outcomes.

I fished this snapshot out of a previous post I made. It's from Dec 2021. Not sure how accurate their figures are as the median house price in Auckland at the time would have been around $1.3m (they're lower now) and the nationwide average household income I would estimate at over $100,000.

[Wayne Potgieter]

Yo Kiwi Hubbers!

 

I am super excited about this. About to take my kids in their first overnight bike trip. Given it’s their first one and I am trying to make it as fun as possible, I am trying to make it as easy as possible for them. 
 

This means I am the packing mule. 
 

Does anyone have a bike trailer for carrying luggage I can borrow for Labour weekend? I don’t really want to buy one unless I know they will do this more often. 
 

 

[ByronH]

Hi all. I want to try Riverhead in Auckland tomorrow... does anyone have a XC oriented gpx route file which I can follow please?

[Lifer]

Hello, my bikes are finally on-shore and now need a bike rack. Looking to get a 4 bike carrier so the whole family can come along. Any opinions/experience on the various towball mounted options available in NZ, some of which look pretty much the same but with a fair bit of variance in price:

1. Ezigrip - https://www.evocycles.co.nz/Product/284654/ezigrip-enduro-4-bike-rack-with-light-board

2. Torpedo7 - https://www.torpedo7.co.nz/products/T7CATN9QT/title/quattro-towball-mount-4-bike-channel-rack

3. Shogun - https://new.grabone.co.nz/automotive/other-automotive-parts-accessories/p/bike-carrier-rack

And then of course there are the pricier options of Thule and Yakima. Hoping one of you may have some insight having experience with them or heard from others who have?

 

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

8 hours ago, Lifer said:

Hello, my bikes are finally on-shore and now need a bike rack. Looking to get a 4 bike carrier so the whole family can come along. Any opinions/experience on the various towball mounted options available in NZ, some of which look pretty much the same but with a fair bit of variance in price:

1. Ezigrip - https://www.evocycles.co.nz/Product/284654/ezigrip-enduro-4-bike-rack-with-light-board

2. Torpedo7 - https://www.torpedo7.co.nz/products/T7CATN9QT/title/quattro-towball-mount-4-bike-channel-rack

3. Shogun - https://new.grabone.co.nz/automotive/other-automotive-parts-accessories/p/bike-carrier-rack

And then of course there are the pricier options of Thule and Yakima. Hoping one of you may have some insight having experience with them or heard from others who have?

 

All seem much of a muchness. Weight limit to be noted!!!

[patches]

18 hours ago, Lifer said:

Hello, my bikes are finally on-shore and now need a bike rack. Looking to get a 4 bike carrier so the whole family can come along. Any opinions/experience on the various towball mounted options available in NZ, some of which look pretty much the same but with a fair bit of variance in price:

1. Ezigrip - https://www.evocycles.co.nz/Product/284654/ezigrip-enduro-4-bike-rack-with-light-board

2. Torpedo7 - https://www.torpedo7.co.nz/products/T7CATN9QT/title/quattro-towball-mount-4-bike-channel-rack

3. Shogun - https://new.grabone.co.nz/automotive/other-automotive-parts-accessories/p/bike-carrier-rack

And then of course there are the pricier options of Thule and Yakima. Hoping one of you may have some insight having experience with them or heard from others who have?

 

Can't say I've seen many platform-type towbar-mounted racks around the parkinglots at the local trails (Woodwill, Riverhead etc).

Most Kiwis seem to run either roof (or ute tray) mounted carriers or the kiwi classic... the bull horns

https://www.torpedo7.co.nz/products/T7CATN9M3/title/4-bike-rack-mk3

Coupled with these

https://www.torpedo7.co.nz/products/T7CAPN5BKRA/title/bungy-kit-10-pack---red

 

I myself run Thule roof mounted carriers, but I have scabbed many a lift with friends running the bull horns, including a few Rotorua trips (3hr drive) with 3 enduro bikes, strapped on with the toggle bungies, no worries mate!

Not the flashest and will likely result in some scuffs over time, but gets the job done.

However platform racks are a lot less chaotic and less creativity is required when securing bikes, so probably a better all-round option. The ones listed should be fine.

Also a side note, buying Thule racks from car dealerships can be way cheaper. For instance, VW (and Volvo) sell re-branded Thule racks, manufactured for them.

Same racks, but over $100 off if you're willing to have VW branding in stead of Thule. (I put black tape over it 😅)

 

Might be worth checking with the car dealers if they have something similar for platform racks.

 

 

Edited September 28, 2022 by patches

[patches]

For all the Aucklanders on here... not as well publicised as one would have thought, but the WRC is in town, and there's some sort of opening event in the Auckland Domain this evening.

https://www.wrc.com/en/championship/calendar/wrc/rally-new-zealand/overview/

I work right next door at the hospital so may pop down for a look.