[Divemaster]

Does anyone know what needs to be fumigated before the items are packed for example, garden furniture, woodworking tools, bikes etc. I seem to be getting conflicting responses from packers here in the UK. I dont want to arrive in NZ and find i have to pay $$ for every item!!

[Georgebulldog]

We cleaned our garden furniture & tools, just made sure no sawdust, soil & cobwebs, didn't do the best job with cobwebs & had to pay to get some garden chairs dusted off :wah cost about $50

[mgbridges]

Have a look here, I would imagine there will be a list somewhere in the BioSecurity area of the site. http://www.maf.govt.nz/mafnet/index.htm

Anneliese

[IanW99]

Here's another link that you may find useful:- Bringing things into NZ (http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/personal-travel-belongings-and-mail/bringing-things-into-nz/your-belongings)

What they don't want to see is dirt (may contain things such as seeds), untreated wood, seeds or anything that may either be alive or contain life.

We never fumigated anything, just ensured that everything that met the above categories were either left behind, or were cleaned e.g. with disinfectant.

The movers in the UK will often say you can't take something which is really for their convenience, and you would actually be allowed.

Ian

[Debbie]

We brought out door kids toys, climbing frames, tools and garden furniture, out door dog run metal panels and even a bird bath. Just make sure you clean everything well, jet hose and very smelly disinfectant. If at all possible get those 'dodgy' items packed together in as few boxes as possible. You pay per box inspected even if you don't have any thing cleaned by MAF. We didn't bring the lawn mower because it was to old to worry about or the BBQ as it had a natural wood handle and tray. We had some of these items inspected but MAF said they were fine.
I agree the removal companies tend to advocate the line of least resistance. It's not these stuff being left behind.
Debbie

[Kate D]

I brought all my garden stuff including my lawnmower (sacrificed the BBQ - too much cleaning involved!) and thanks to all incredibly helpful advice here I spent two days with my marigolds on scrubbing and disinfecting garden tools, lawnmower (never again!!!), bike, golf clubs and trollery, tent pegs, picnic chair legs, metal garden furniture, plant pots and I emptied out all seeds from my herbs and spices rack and scrubbed the soles of all shoes. I gave my hiking boots a bath and my running shoes did a cycle through the washing machine (allowed them plenty of time to dry thoroughly!)

The MAF guys thought my bike was brand new! 2 guys took exactly 30 minutes to go through 24 items/boxes at my residence as it was all in one pile and I passed everything, even my lawnmower. That's when the effort was worth it!! Seeing what things cost here, I know I did the right thing:-)

It's elbow grease - but in the grand scheme of things, it's just another task that needs to be done...

Good luck!

Kate