[Lara Croft]

Since we are coming out in January, and can take advantage of the New Year sales, I am compiling a list of stuff to buy. I've searched back through lots of old threads for suggestions as to what is v. expensive in NZ (in comparison to UK), and my think-about-buying list is below (so far!!!).

I wondered if I should consider anything else - what did you leave behind that you wish you'd taken?

My list:
M&S undies / tights / pyjamas
Child jeans / t-shirts / trainers / shoes / undies
New fridge & freezer (ours are getting on a bit...)
Electric 4-way plug-block-thingies (not sure of the right name)
Waterproof coats & fleeces
Make up
CD's, DVD's & books

I'm wondering about stocking up on everyday stuff at Costco as well, while we can still buy in (cheap) bulk:
Batteries
Dishwasher tablets
Persil
Ziploc bags / clingfilm / foil / bin bags

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Jane

[Helsandfamily]

OOoooh Nice idea Jane, I will be watching this thread with interest!!

:nice1

Hels

[SarahEDH]

hi Jane --

In additional to any specialised sport equipment (dive gear, etc.), I would add to the container those items you could call "plastic organiser" stuff, if you use those things for keeping drawer and cupboard items separated. I'm thinking of plastic silverware trays, clothes drawer dividers, bins for office / hobby supplies, etc. I've found small plastic things expensive in NZ, and since they weigh so little and are so cheap at home, I'd buy them to fill up empty space in the container. (Unbox them / remove price tags so they aren't obviously new and unused.) I would even bring a few sturdy 2-gallon plastic buckets, as silly as that sounds. It's nice not to have to buy them at NZ prices once you're settled and ready to get into your hobbies or gardening again. I also found clothes hangers to be expensive. I was used to buying them at 10 per US$1 and found them to be about 3x that much in NZ. Not a lot of money, just irksome as a % difference. Lots of small plastic household items are that way.

I agree with so many other posters on this forum who have said, the more you can easily bring, the better. Especially any household item that is lightweight and easy to pack --

Sarah

[Caroline and Dave]

Non stick saucepans.
They are not easily available here and when you do eventually find some they are extortionate.

[IanW99]

...
I'm wondering about stocking up on everyday stuff at Costco as well, while we can still buy in (cheap) bulk:
Batteries
Dishwasher tablets
Persil
Ziploc bags / clingfilm / foil / bin bags

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Jane

Not so sure I would bother with most of these items (sure that others may disagree?)

Batteries, you could get some for your immediate use (just don't get too many), but they do have a shelf life and there is the possibility of them leaking.

Dishwasher tablets, seem cheap enough in NZ as dishwashers are more common than UK, but never bothered in the UK so don't know if they are cheaper.

Persil, we've found that washing detergent is generally cheaper in NZ. However, if you have a front loader and want to use tablets then they are very hard to come by. Not sure but there may also be a humidity problem in the container that might ruin the powder.

Bin bags, many of the councils have a 'pay as you throw' approach so you need to buy their brand bin bags.

You also need to be aware that if you bring items in bulk then there is a possibilty that customs will think you are bringing in the items to sell and you will have to pay duty on them.

So my advice would be, by all means bring in some of each of these items but just don't go overboard.

Ian

[Familyofmonkeys]

Not so sure I would bother with most of these items (sure that others may disagree?)

Batteries, you could get some for your immediate use (just don't get too many), but they do have a shelf life and there is the possibility of them leaking.

Dishwasher tablets, seem cheap enough in NZ as dishwashers are more common than UK, but never bothered in the UK so don't know if they are cheaper.

Persil, we've found that washing detergent is generally cheaper in NZ. However, if you have a front loader and want to use tablets then they are very hard to come by. Not sure but there may also be a humidity problem in the container that might ruin the powder.

Bin bags, many of the councils have a 'pay as you throw' approach so you need to buy their brand bin bags.

You also need to be aware that if you bring items in bulk then there is a possibilty that customs will think you are bringing in the items to sell and you will have to pay duty on them.

So my advice would be, by all means bring in some of each of these items but just don't go overboard.

Ian

Agree with this....if you buy supermarkets own brand, these items are not expensive here. Also, you can get trainers (kids and adult) in the Warehouse far cheaper than UK prices. What is harder and more expensive to find are decent width fitted kids shoes.....but there are several shops in NZ to get them from. I would get kids feet measured and new shoes immidiately before you leave UK, so you will be OK for a while.
Remember if you buy new fridge or freezer it will not be covered by warranty here....make sure it is not in packaging or you will pay import duty for brand new unused items. And make sure you are insured for electrical derangement when shipping.

[Lara Croft]

Thanks - good advice I think!

Ian - I am a little worried about your comment about humidity in the container... hubby is shipping several old guitar amps, and they won't like humidity! Can anyone verify this?

Ta!
Jane

[Nick88]

I'm with Ian. You can get most of this stuff here at reasonable prices.

Relative humidity here can be 70-80% for much of the year, and electronic gear seems to last just fine. Have you considered rechargeable batteries? They are the only sort we use in our kids toys, it would cost an arm and a leg otherwise.

[CjChris]

I wish I'd packed more of....

Make up remover wipes (they are on average 11.00-18.00 a pack here unless you are lucky enough to find some cheapo version for under 5.00 (which I've only found once).

Shaving gel in squeeze tube if you can find it (even the men's version works) (note: I don't recommend getting the kind in the pressurized cans to pack on the container!!)--I've yet to find shaving gel or cream here (for shaving my legs) for under 8.00 per can. :uhoh

Nail polish (generally around 18.00-30.00 per small bottle :eek: !)

As for name brand/store brand....there are many name brand products that you're used to that simply are not available here. Of course, there are "store brand" products that will suffice....but in my opinion, it is surely a comfort to have some of your fave tried-and-true name brand products to help you through those initial weeks of adjustment.

I'm VERY thankful I packed my fave brand of razors, soap, make-up, lotion, tights, etc. because I'm enjoying the heck out of them until they run out! :p

Christine

[Moorf]

Thanks - good advice I think!

Ian - I am a little worried about your comment about humidity in the container... hubby is shipping several old guitar amps, and they won't like humidity! Can anyone verify this?

Ta!
Jane

If you speak to your shippers they can offer a variety of options to stop humidity in the container, including breathable bubble wrap etc.

[IanW99]

Thanks - good advice I think!

Ian - I am a little worried about your comment about humidity in the container... hubby is shipping several old guitar amps, and they won't like humidity! Can anyone verify this?

Ta!
Jane

We never had any problems with any of our electrical items in the container, so I wouldn't worry about the humidity too much.

If you are concerned then get some packets of silica gel (you often see them in the packaging of new electrical items) which will absorb the moisture in the air.

Because the container has to cross the equator, it can get quite humid. Soap detergent e.g. Persil tends to stick in a big lump when it gets moist, so my warning was if you brought a lot of it then it might not reach NZ in good condition and because it isn't too expensive in NZ anyway probably better not to take the risk (I would expect tablets to be fine though)

Ian

[IanW99]

For things to bring, a couple of items proved particularly difficult and expensive to buy in NZ.

Non-stick saucepans (as mentioned previously) and also a condensor type Clothes dryer (normal vented types are common).

Ian

[mossum]

I wish I'd brought more ....

Blue flash or the summer berry one or cif bathroom - cleaners dont smell nice here ?

shower gel (omg its expensive here )

Vaporesse Ironing water - OOOH i'd just about kill for that

that nice lavender & camomile bold powder - our stuff smelt so good when it arrived !

Lenor - see above

MMMMM I do notice a theme :laugh I seem to have a passion for sniffing cleaning products

otherwise its books books books !!! I bought the 4th book in a series $36.99 :no for a paperback :roll ... got the 3 previous in a set from tesco for £5.99 .

Oh & those textured sponge things with the rough side (about 40p ) have only seen them once here & was $8.99 - MIL sends us 10 for xmas yearly now - yes she truely is a BIG spender .

ok off to sniff some laundry/cleaning products now

[IanW99]

That reminds me, what about normal UK dusters, can't seem to buy them anywhere in NZ?

Ian

[mossum]

That reminds me, what about normal UK dusters, can't seem to buy them anywhere in NZ?

Ian

agreed ! must ask MIL to add some to my xmas parcel

Ian do you need to join my OCD cleaning group - we could get a therapy discount :p

vic

[Familyofmonkeys]

If you are concerned then get some packets of silica gel (you often see them in the packaging of new electrical items) which will absorb the moisture in the air.



If you want some of these packed with your items...the tiny little ones of a few grams in packaging will make little difference. Shipping companies can get these things in Kilo bags....make sure you ask before packers arrive though.

[IanW99]

If you want some of these packed with your items...the tiny little ones of a few grams in packaging will make little difference. Shipping companies can get these things in Kilo bags....make sure you ask before packers arrive though.

Sorry, wasn't suggesting that you should re-use the ones in packaging, was just an example of what I was talking about.

Not sure that you should re-use ones that you get in packaging anyway as I would assume if they would have already absorbed moisture so would be less effective.

Ian

[IanW99]

agreed ! must ask MIL to add some to my xmas parcel

Ian do you need to join my OCD cleaning group - we could get a therapy discount :p

vic

Sorry, not me, that would be more suitable for my wife :yes she loves the aromas

Have you tried the Cuddly clothes conditioner, they do a Lavender and Ylang Ylang aroma collection... enjoy!

Ian

[jackie m]

On the cleaning front proper dishclothes have not seen any since we have been here, luckily I did go to costco before leaving & for some strange reason brought a huge load I must have known:D .>we brought our 2 week old fridge freezer thinking new would be good but only lasted 12 months so wish we had waited till we had arrived to buy one if only I had a crystal ball:wah
Jackie