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

[patches]

For those who haven't yet downloaded this app, I can highly recommend.

Trailforks by Pinkbike.

 

Came in Handy while I was exploring Hanmer Springs area. 

 

Here's the online version

 

http://www.trailforks.com/

[hayleyearth]

So who here in Auckland (and surrounds) are keen to join on MTB rides (road bike is coming with the ship  ) on the following days ...I am available all day long... 31st May - 5th June

 

[niterider]

So who here in Auckland (and surrounds) are keen to join on MTB rides (road bike is coming with the ship ) on the following days ...I am available all day long... 31st May - 5th June

 

I'm in Maraetai forest at least twice a week. Wednesday or Friday afternoon, or Sunday morning. And the club runs ladies shuttles every second Sunday too. Not sure which Sundays the next ones are - they're announced on our FB page https://www.facebook.com/Pohutukawa-Coast-Bike-Club-117091788315880/

[patches]

Some pics from my weekend mini road trip...

 

 

Heading through the Canterbury Plains towards the Southern Alps

 

 

English countryside meets Jurassic Park. The West Cost is pretty green.

 

 

Hokitika Gorge

 

 

 

Great walking trails through the rain forests.

 

 

Weird having to trek through rain forests to visit a glacier.

[patches]

 

Heading up to Franz Joseph glacier

 

 

A small piece of ice left over from when the glacier retracted for the summer. It was about 16deg C when this was taken, so still pretty warm for a glacier.

 

 

Lake Matheson

 

 

 

That's a natural blue.

 

 

Glacier formed cliffs
 

 

Fox Glacier

 

Arthur's Pass Via duct

[Ramrod]

Thos pics are Gorgeous!!! 

[Wayne Potgieter]

$26m trail network to be 'tourism Mecca' Check out this story from the NZ Herald Android App http://nzh.tw/11639431 Download the New Zealand Herald Android app here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nzherald.activities

 

 

 

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

[hayleyearth]

Gonna have to learn all these 'types' again... 

[Ramrod]

The time difference is really a killer. You want to chat to your mates back in SA and on the Hub and its dead quiet.

[beanz]

I haven't been on the Hub much since I came to NZ about a year and a half ago. What a nice surprise to find this 50 page thread and that so many have been making their way across here in the meantime. 

 

Might just have to chime in with my thoughts and impressions some time.

[Ramrod]

I haven't been on the Hub much since I came to NZ about a year and a half ago. What a nice surprise to find this 50 page thread and that so many have been making their way across here in the meantime. 

 

Might just have to chime in with my thoughts and impressions some time.

And where you live? We could be neighbors

[hayleyearth]

And where you live? We could be neighbors

 

If not your neighbour he might be to one of the other 100 hubbers that's there 

[Skylark]

So who here in Auckland (and surrounds) are keen to join on MTB rides (road bike is coming with the ship ) on the following days ...I am available all day long... 31st May - 5th June

 

Are you over there on holiday or also moved permanently?

Would think the latter if the road bike is arriving by ship!

[hayleyearth]

Are you over there on holiday or also moved permanently?

Would think the latter if the road bike is arriving by ship!

 

I'd like to say permanently, but with me that's like a death sentence to tell me I am going to be in one place for the rest of my life   

 

But yes, work contract states indefinitely 

[beanz]

And where you live? We could be neighbors

 

You're in Mairangi Bay, not so? Then I'm not too far away, Hauraki / Takapuna.

[beanz]

Anyway my thoughts on the topic:

 

Good:

• Great access to amazingly beautiful nature that's never overcrowded
• Great options for leisure activities, for almost whatever you're into
• Pretty laid back lifestyle, good work life balance
• Very family friendly environment, great for kids, safe
• Quite a low tax rate (top marginal tax rate is 33%)

Bad:

• Far from everything (maybe that's a good thing in some respects, far away from a lot of trouble)
• Not the much cultural diversity (compared to say Europe, or even SA for that matter)
• High cost of living, and some things extraordinarily expensive (e.g. childcare)
• A bit dull for younger people looking for a bit of a vibe - some find it a little boring (though normally not people into surfing, mtb, hiking, sailing, fishing and the like)
• Still is some crime and social problems in some areas in particular
• I suppose being on a fault line it is prone to natural disasters like earthquakes.

Ugly:

• Housing market is batshit crazy, especially in Auckland. Right up there with the least affordable. Not as bad everywhere else, but getting there. Houses are flimsily built.

Overall I suppose I'm not deviating too far from the consensus.

 

It's a great spot, and the good far outweighs the bad in my book. Especially if you have a family. But I wouldn't say it's everyone's cup of tea.