[jan]

Can we bring any foodstuffs over either by shipment or own luggage?
I mean things like jars of coffee, tinned stuff, cereal, curry sauce oh and pot noodles???????
Hate to imagine how my son will function without his fix of the rubbish. Kind of hope they won`t be allowed the wretched stuff.

[Timbo]

Hi Jan, and welcome aboard.
I know that costoms in NZ are pretty damn strict to say the least. But dont despair, anything (well almost) you cant take can be bought on the web. Have a look at this link.

www.britishcornershop.co.uk

[Diny]

Pot Noodles? Are you insane?

I agree with Timbo - don't fret yourself - there's all kinds of junk available in the NZ foodstores. Where would we all be without or 'E' numbers?

Diny

[jan]

Ye Diny sometimes I think I am going insane! Best not let the hubby see your reply he will say "told you so". I have this amazing ability to suggest the craziest things at times. My problem is that I keep thinking I need to achieve some sort of normality when we get there and if it means producing some of the kids creature comforts I want to take them. They are the simple things to think about at this moment I`m not afraid to say I`m getting quite scared

jan xx

[Annierobrigado]

you know what, jan, i read somewhere here (maybe previous forum) that some of the people here would want to bring whatever they can bring, it's really alright. as long as they're not drugs or plants or live animals in which case you need certificates, vaccines, etc. but creature comforts, yes you can. it'll take away the edge of homesickness during the first few months or so, that's what i believe.

unless you see in the website of grocery or department store that carries your brands, then you don't have to bring them. but for your kids, best bring what you can. :laugh

check out the website of nz's bigger supermarket, was that woolworths or something, i forgot. :oops: you can see what brands they carry.

:cheers
annie

[jan]

Annie :yes
If I tell you my plight. We have a friday night ritual at home . Its `curry night` every week and all 4 of us look forward to it. (kids would have it every night if possible) I use a particular paste plus my own ingredients which when we have friends round or I take it to my parents it goes down a storm. We have sugested we take a few jars (52 to be exact!!) don`t want to get in trouble but desperately need our curry nights.

Jan xxx

[Raeven]

Hi, jan,

I don't understand this huge misconception about what can and cannot be brought into NZ.

There is virtually no prohibition on food items coming into NZ provided they are commercially packaged and the packaging has not been breached. You may not bring in fresh fruits or vegetables, honey or uncooked egg products. Otherwise, you're probably fine. Declare the items for inspection, but don't worry about it. MAF isn't.

For more information on specific items, go to: http://www.maf.govt.nz/quarantine/index.htm

Hope this helps!

All the best, Rae

[jan]

:nice1 Cheers raeven,

Iv`e got this morbid facination with wondering if we can take this or that?

I probably sound neurotic. trust me I AM !!!!!

Got to keep my hubby off this site. He gets this all the time

Jan xx :laugh

[mechidna]

Well, here it goes....

I was really hoping someone else would ask. What are pot noodles? :oops:

mechidna

the constantly confused american

[jo b]

They are little pots of e-numbers disguised as a snack/small meal.
You add hot water too it and It swells up. It tastes like cardboard and leaves a nice furry coating on your tongue.

It's years since I've had one After I found a large piece of plastic in it. :eek

Jo

Oh and they are not for the faint hearted

[cloudboy99]

Thanks for the clarification Jo. I was figuring it was something like a Ramen noodle bowl.

[mechidna]

Thanks for clearing that up. I was thinking ramen noodles too.

mechidna

[Watt Dabney]

WD

[veronica]

on the curry paste/spices side there are indian and other ethinic food supermarkets about that supply the restaurants so I would think you could get most things.

[Diny]

When I come to think about it, my mother in law's pantry is an Alladins cave of spices, herbs, mixes for this, pastes for that. Some pretty wierd things I've not seen before too. I'm sure everything you need will be in the shops.

I got my mate to send over some samples of the gravy powder and granules that are readily available in the NZ shops. My boys and I like a spot of dinner with our gravy. I thought abit of research wouldn't do any harm. She sent 3 or 4 sachets over, telling me that all of them can be purchased in tubs/packets as well.

We've tried them ........ they scrape through as acceptable ..... obviously I can play around with them abit - adding other magic ingredients to make it more suitable for our own personal tastes. But I think I'll be bringing over my Bisto (UK version). Class it as comfort food.

Diny

[upandrunning]

They do actually sell pot noodles in supermarkets here. However if you are in Auckland there are a number of brit food import shops. One in Browns Bay, Northshore. sells all sorts of delights from bisto to monster munch and sherbet dib dabs. Also Heinz tomato soup for those plentiful cold nights no heating etc...

[shagen]

For all you curry fans out there! When we come to NZ next year, you are all welcome to a authentic indian curry meal! :nice1

Cheers,

[shagen]

Does anyone know if there is a problem with bringing in stuffed toys? My kids are very attached to their stuffed toys which are as old as they are. My son is 6 and my daughter is 3. So you can imagine the condition the toys are in.

We are just worried that the MAF may not allow them to be brought in. I can't imagine how the kids would feel if that was the case! :(

Cheers,

[veronica]

stick them in the wash for a brief wash and scrub up, make sure they are totally dry and they should be fine, I wouldn't even mention it to anyone.

[veronica]

Going back to the original subject of pot noodles (....BLAH. they are disgusting,) there are all sorts of that type of food here, lots of flavoured instant noodles, rice etc. so none of the addicts should starve.

[shagen]

Veronica,

That woudl be a good idea if their "security" toys were new. At the condition they are in right now, a hard scrub would leave them in pieces! Which is why I am worried!

Cheers,

[jo b]

Shagen,

I don't think there should be a problem. It's not like they ahve been rolling them around in mud :roll: or have they???? :eek

Anyways you can add me to the list of dinner guest for that authentic curry :yes Yes Please.

Jo

[Dave & Sandra]

Shagen

Don't worry - I brought in some stuffed toys :oops: One is a small teddy bear I was given when I had my first routine injections, which must be about 40+ years ago and they weren't inspected or mentioned at all by MAF.

They will be OK.

Glad to know you are safe and well.

Sandra