[Carey]

Have people taken light shades with them when moving house? Never done it before and not sure of protocol? What about curtains, phones- are phone line connections the same in NZ?

[IanW99]

Have people taken light shades with them when moving house? Never done it before and not sure of protocol? What about curtains, phones- are phone line connections the same in NZ?

Not sure about the light shades, I believe you only need to leave a light fitting. I know that for us, it would have been a waste of time as the lights in our house are all downlighters so no where for a light shade. Other houses do have shades though.

For curtains, the window sizes in NZ are generally bigger and different shapes so most curtains probably wouldn't fit, houses are normally sold with their curtains also so again not much point in bringing them unless you have some particularly nice ones that you want to keep.

Phones use exactly the same type of BT connector as the UK and will work without any problems, the only problem you may have is if it has a mains adapter then, can you change the plug or will you need an adapter.

Ian

[StevieD]

Ian spoilt my reply saying "yes, we do have them" :laugh

Good advice from Ian though. the phones are exactly the same, even down to the plug.

[Caroline and Dave]

Phones use exactly the same type of BT connector as the UK and will work without any problems, the only problem you may have is if it has a mains adapter then, can you change the plug or will you need an adapter.

Ian

Some new build properties are now being fitted with the Lan phone socket.
We moved into our new apartment end December to find our phone would not fit. This is no problem though,We got an adapter from Noel Leemings.
I wouldn't worry too much re this as the vast majority of properties have the standard socket.

[StevieD]

For telephones?? That is strange...

[Carey]

Have people taken light shades with them when moving house? Never done it before and not sure of protocol? What about curtains, phones- are phone line connections the same in NZ?

Keep thinking of more items that we're not sure about in terms of whether MAF will be happy; really don't want extra costs of fumigation if/when inspected.

Have you taken garden hoses? If so how did you clean them? Pour disnfectant through them?

What about brooms that have used outside? Or inside? How best to clean? Dust-pans and brushes? Are they Ok to take?

[marcia]

We personally gave the hoses away - too much hassle for the cost of a new one here.:)

Anything that had been used outside, kids toys, gardening tools etc, give them a good wash off, (steam clean if you can borrow one!) Then wipe down with Jeyes fluid. Don't forget all shoes and boots need cleaning too - then make sure the packers put them altogether in ONE box so its one for MAF to inspect!

[Familyofmonkeys]

What about brooms that have used outside? Or inside? How best to clean? Dust-pans and brushes? Are they Ok to take?

We took all our outside garden stuff...even some disinfected plant pots...cleaned as MAF advised us. However, we were told the one thing that they definitely will not allow are brooms/dustpan brushes. Aparently there is no way they can be effectively be completely cleaned and disinfected..so if they find one they will distroy it.

[cappuccino]

We took all our outside garden stuff...even some disinfected plant pots...cleaned as MAF advised us. However, we were told the one thing that they definitely will not allow are brooms/dustpan brushes. Aparently there is no way they can be effectively be completely cleaned and disinfected..so if they find one they will distroy it.

Well I brought (used but cleaned) brooms and dustpan and brush set into the country - MAF opened that box and commented on how clean my gardening tools and brushes were - no question of destroying anything!

[Familyofmonkeys]

Well I brought (used but cleaned) brooms and dustpan and brush set into the country - MAF opened that box and commented on how clean my gardening tools and brushes were - no question of destroying anything!

Shows there is hope and some reasonable MAF inspectors out there then :) We had no problems with any of our stuff...but we were told in writing by MAF that most stuff is OK as long as well cleaned, but definitely no Brooms/brushes.....mind you can't imagine them seizing your hair brushes or even asking to look at them either :p

[marcia]

I think it depends what sort of bristles are on your brushs - we brought the ones with 'man made' - plastic bristles, just power washed and jeyes fluided them first!

[Alan]

I have been thinking as well about things like hoses, pressure washers etc, as well (exciting huh). The hoses I will throw/give away, not a problem however not sure about the pressure washer as it will not be cheap to replace.

Surely if there was a huge issue with water sitting in pipes, then washing machines etc would also not be allowed in. Does anyone know or can they point me in the direction of what it is MAF are looking for with regards to this sort of thing as it is very confusing! :confused:

[benandclare]

My understanding is they are concerned with items that have come into contact with soil, so you should be ok with your washer once you've gievn it a good clean.

I brought over my chainsaw and had no problems with it's inspection .

[Derv]

If you've got light shades you really like, bring them with you as there is less choice of stylish shades here. There's a good range of curtain material available here but, if your UK buyers don't want your existing curtains and you like the material, then bring them with you. It's easy to make them smaller or turn them into cushion covers, although bear in mind that most NZ houses have large windows and are sold with curtains (or drapes as they are often called).

As to garden stuff, we got rid of all ours in the UK as they were all totally worn out and not worth bringing over so I can't help you there.

[Hongi Hicker]

My brother shipped about 10 months ago and he cleaned everything with Jeyes fluid and then filled a bucket with all the old paint he had in the shed.

Then dipped all the garden tools in it, the looked very pretty and he didn't feel they reflected his manly garden image but it did the trick. MAF thought it was a great idea and showed he had taken time and effort to clean his outside garden items.

Do it for garden tools only, no one likes sitting on a puce deck chair!!!!

;)

[Mels]

Anyone taken wooden garden furniture.
I was planning on power washing it. It's used on the patio so not too muddy

Mels

[dilanium]

What exactly is Jeyes fluid? What chemicals are in it so I can find a comparable in the US?

[benandclare]

What exactly is Jeyes fluid? What chemicals are in it so I can find a comparable in the US?

The original Jeyes Fluid disinfectant is still a firm favourite. This iconic brand with origins in the 19th Century is favoured by many households for its versatility and even kills the Bird Flu H5N1 virus.

[JandM]

http://209.85.129.104/search?q=cache:L9lRkMFVzFgJ:www.capitalonline.biz/shop/coshh_sheets/download.php%3Ffname%3D./1242%2520jeyes%2520fluid.pdf+ingredients+of+Jeyes+ fluid%3F&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&lr=lang_en&ie=UTF-8

Actual ingredients given here.

[mgbridges]

Anyone taken wooden garden furniture.
I was planning on power washing it. It's used on the patio so not too muddy

Mels

Yep we bought a large table that was hand made for us by a family friend along with 6 chairs we had purchased to go with it. Have to say the table didn't look particularly clean but it passed inspection without any problems. On reflection though that may have been because our packers didn't label stuff very well and it might have just said 'table' on it! :roll

HTH
Anneliese

[mgbridges]

Have you taken garden hoses? If so how did you clean them? Pour disnfectant through them?

What about brooms that have used outside? Or inside? How best to clean? Dust-pans and brushes? Are they Ok to take?

Our hose ended up coming with us by accident as I forgot to tell the packers not to pack it! Got through fine.

We also bought brushes and dust-pan and brush with soft, hair like brush heads and again they passed fine. Our brush from outside we left behind as it was rather worn and not in the best of conditions.

HTH
Anneliese

[Carey]

My brother shipped about 10 months ago and he cleaned everything with Jeyes fluid and then filled a bucket with all the old paint he had in the shed.

Then dipped all the garden tools in it, the looked very pretty and he didn't feel they reflected his manly garden image but it did the trick. MAF thought it was a great idea and showed he had taken time and effort to clean his outside garden items.

Do it for garden tools only, no one likes sitting on a puce deck chair!!!!

;)

What a BRILLIANT idea; may well copy that one!