[JoanneG]

My OH, who is trailing a little behind me in the race to NZ has (rather encouragingly) given me a small list of questions.

1. When you moved to NZ where there any commonplace items that you were surprised that you could not find in NZ?

2. Do the Public Lending Libraries provide an equivalent service?


Third question under 'Location'.


Tks in advance.

[katiejay]

We went on a month-long reccie trip in March/April and were surprised to find it so similar to the UK. We were really at home there - shopping was a doddle! We didn't go into a library, but we saw plenty, and every town seems to have it's own museum of some sort. The ones we went to were excellent, and free. We didn't go without on our trip, so I think you'll find that most everyday items are readily available.
Katie

[KerryS]

Not sure what sort of items you mean in Q1 (food, household goods?), but I can answer your second.
The libraries here are great. I use Auckland City libraries and they are so helpful. I can order books online from any of the libraries and they are sent to my local library for me to collect. Loads of magazines, best sellers and new titles are often on a one week short loan, for which there is a small charge, but worth it to get something quickly.
The main library in the city has music at lunchtimes, children's story reading and various other clubs and societies.

[Sam B]

Even the provincial libraries are MILES better than the UK, they are GREAT!

I was surprised at the small range of pasta, it's hard to get the types we like. There's no buffalo mozerella either (or if there is, I haven't found it yet).

[Carol]

I do miss B and Q still - simply for the choice.

Paint is outrageously expensive - and what you pay for is rubbish. As is wallpaper..... $29 a roll for pebbledash anaglypta? LOL I dont think so!!

Still miss Boots. For everything.

Would love to be able to have the opportunity to buy furniture like IKEA makes here.

Libraries are good - but watch out for charges on overdues - even kids' books.
I've often thought "I could have bought it for the price I've just paid on a fine"

Just as well they are good - the price of books here is off the scale!
:wah

[nippa&pippa]

Libraries are good - but watch out for charges on overdues - even kids' books.
I've often thought "I could have bought it for the price I've just paid on a fine"


Eh? must be only christchurch then that we get no charge for overdue books if take out under children's library cards, so hence we use our children's cards to get away from overdue charge :nice1 as you allowed up to 20 books per card and have it for 28 days before had to be return back.

I miss Tesco's children clothes shop (to buy bodysuit, vests, and pants in packs at cheap price) and Boots. Cheese in NZ are so rubbery!! very hard to get good non-rubbery cheese like chedder or buffalo as sam B mentioned, (sam, i remember see it somewhere but it is so expensive so i didn't buy it...i will have to recall where i see it for you) I managed to find mature cheese just like UK in the countdown or woolworths :nice1 under 'aged mature cheese'!

[Sam B]

Cheese here is a bit pooey on the whole. We've started buying imported parmesan from the deli shop, it's expensive and bad for the environment, but the NZ parmesan goes like chewing gum when it gets hot. Yuk.

No library fines for kids in Cambridge.

[swissmissdesigner]

Sam:" and bad for the environment" what do you mean, could you please explain it? Thnx

[anna_c]

Sam:" and bad for the environment" what do you mean, could you please explain it? Thnx

I'm assuming Sam means the environmental implications of transport.

[anna_c]

Libraries depend a lot on where you are. In wellington I've been very happy - there's a central library and several smaller suburban ones, but you join one, you join all. I suggest you look at the webpage for where you're going to live - certainly the larger ones have online catalogues. Wellington's is www.wcl.govt.nz

Obviously the range is going to be linked to the population of the area.

[swissmissdesigner]

Anna: I see, I didn't think about that!
Thnx

[Sam B]

Swissmiss - I prefer to eat food produced locally to cut down on the environmental impact of importing stuff by plane. But everyone has their limits, and mine is bad parmesan.

[Jo Jo]

Would love to be able to have the opportunity to buy furniture like IKEA makes here.


Ikea is opening in Auckland next year.

[Patricia]

We are hoping to,fly out in about 4-5 weeks time and my son has asked if we can take a load of yellow dusters out with us apparently the dusters there are synthetic and not very good. :laugh Got a load from our hardwear store yesterday got some very queer looks as well, I'm waiting for the next request as he said there are some more things he would like if we have the room. I wonder what the mind boggles :roll

Patricia

[Carol]

Ikea is opening in Auckland next year.


hmmmmmm....
I've heard that.

Mind you - it's been said before.....

[jubjub]

I have found everything over here, you have to hunt around for some of it, compromise on quality a little, or pay a premium for really good stuff (or old faves such as Bisto & Walkers!) but everything you would expect to be able to buy, you can.

Libraries are fab, nice kiddie areas where they can do puzzles and read books, and they do storytimes and such too. I love the reserving books online system, you get a little email when it turns up at your local library, or when you reach the top of the queue for a popular book.

[Sam B]

I have not been able to find any nice fromage frais yoghurts that don't have loads of additives in. Like petit filous. There are no Muller fruit corner yoghurts either (not that they're particularly healthy I know). So neither of my children eat yoghurts anymore, which is a shame.

[nippa&pippa]

I have not been able to find any nice fromage frais yoghurts that don't have loads of additives in. Like petit filous. There are no Muller fruit corner yoghurts either (not that they're particularly healthy I know). So neither of my children eat yoghurts anymore, which is a shame.

Sam B, have you tried yoghurt called Karikaas all natural yoghurt? i know it came in a bottle(!!!) but it is very very tasty, better than other yoghurts i have tried, they also have in other flavour too (that are very low in additives? check for me otherwise no additives in natural's) I just simple pour them into a small pot for my son to take with him to Kindy.

[jubjub]

I have not been able to find any nice fromage frais yoghurts that don't have loads of additives in. Like petit filous. There are no Muller fruit corner yoghurts either (not that they're particularly healthy I know). So neither of my children eat yoghurts anymore, which is a shame.

Sam, you can get Petit Filous, they are just called Petit Miam instead, and are not in with the other yogurts, but nearer to the natural ones & the cream cheese... bit more expensive though.

[Sam B]

My 6 year old's taste buds say "THEY ARE NOT THE SAME!!!!!"

[jubjub]

My 6 year old's taste buds say "THEY ARE NOT THE SAME!!!!!"

Kids... :roll , ah well, nice try!

[thepiesleys]

Libraries are fantastic - full stop. I do it all on line and order stuff from all over Auckland. Fibally read Tintin and the alph art which I had tried to get on ebay for years but could not afford. Although Auckland charge for overdues for kids and adults alike. I also read Q every month now for free and get to download the free CD, plus rugby world. I go every friday with my little one to toddler time which is great. Stories, singing, dancing and craft. All for free - free I tell you.

Food, IMO - limited choice and all the big three sell the same stuff. Pasta is rubbish, no wholemeal and stuff goes off very quickly. Tip freeze pitta bread as it defrosts very quickly.

I cant find gravy granules, HP sauce is hit and miss and and theres no real ale or Magners cider.

Dan

[KerryS]

I have not been able to find any nice fromage frais yoghurts that don't have loads of additives in. Like petit filous. There are no Muller fruit corner yoghurts either (not that they're particularly healthy I know). So neither of my children eat yoghurts anymore, which is a shame.

Get a yoghurt maker and make your own. It's so much nicer than the bought stuff, which is all full of sugar over here. You can get the machine (well, I say machine, it's like a big plastic thermos) in the supermarket.
Instead of buying the yoghurt packs each time, I keep a bit of the old live yoghurt, add some milk powder and water and make it with that. You can add sugar if you need to sweeten it, but I never bother, although I sometimes drizzle it with a bit of manuka honey before eating.

Not sure if your six your old would approve, but my niece is 10 months and she loves it. (Although she's never had Petit Filous to compare it with!)

[Sam B]

To my deepest shame, my 6 year old is SUCH a fussy eater even though my 10 year old eats anything and I'm a complete health fascist so I can't understand where I've gone wrong. Anyway, point is, I won't waste my time making yoghurt because this is what would happen:

Me "Here's some lovely yoghurt I've made"
Her "Yuck, I hate it" (accompanied by horrid eating with mouth open and yoghurt spilling out...)

[Sam B]

OOOh Look - I'm a senior member!

[kanatakiwi]

Get a yoghurt maker and make your own. It's so much nicer than the bought stuff, which is all full of sugar over here. You can get the machine (well, I say machine, it's like a big plastic thermos) in the supermarket.
Instead of buying the yoghurt packs each time, I keep a bit of the old live yoghurt, add some milk powder and water and make it with that. You can add sugar if you need to sweeten it, but I never bother, although I sometimes drizzle it with a bit of manuka honey before eating.


Kerry S.
can you make yoghurt from low fat milk or milk powder? I have been delaying getting into this because I like the fat free or low fat version.
G

[KerryS]

Kerry S.
can you make yoghurt from low fat milk or milk powder? I have been delaying getting into this because I like the fat free or low fat version.
G

I don't personally, but I can't see why it wouldn't work.
I prefer to cut out sugar to fat - manufactured yoghurt over here is absolutely loaded with the stuff. (I've been to see it made - the joy of working for a dairy company at one point!)

[snowdrop]

Hello folks,
yes, you can make wonderful yoghurt from powder milk alone or together with milk low fat, full fat or no fat. I lived in a remote place in Somalia for some time and there was an "yoghurt expert" from the Save the Children Team. His yoghurt was better than anything what industry can throw at you. There was no real milk available, only milk powder in large containers. The trick is to use slightly more powder than recommended on the tin. You get a much stiffer and tastier yoghurt. :nice1 The other vital ingredient is a good culture to start with. Use the best yoghurt you can afford to start your own. It is a bit trial and error, but after some experiments you will be very pleased with the result. Good luck on the milky way....

[JoanneG]

Tks folks - all duly noted for OH!

I think the lack of good Parmesan could be good for the waistline!