[remontado]

G'day all,

To explain, briefly:

I want to come to NZ to look for opportunities and by which I do not mean a traditional job offer since 'employment' in my highly specialized field of expertise does not as yet exist in NZ (TMK, yet). Back in the mid-late 1980's, I (and colleagues) researched and developed a 'new' (modernized) food production technology (based upon a 5000 year-old Chinese methodology) that we then termed Integrated Aquaculture-Vegetable (production) Systems (IAVS). This growing/expanding 'technology' is now known as "Aquaponics" (a term I'm not especially fond of - but 'it works' and has apparently 'stuck'). This biotechnology - in various 'incarnations'/adaptations - is rapidly (and 'finally') gaining interest/practitioners globally. This is a symbiotic, ecosystem approach to food-production (freshwater fin-fish and 'organic' vegetables/herbs) utilizing a closed (recycling, zero discharge) water system. It is highly productive, extremely conservative of both water and nutrient resources and is also very profitable.

For example,'across the ditch', Aquaponics has recently 'taken off' at commercial scale (with substantial expansion plans in OZ and SE Asia) - [Google "aquaponics australia" if interested]. TMK, there is zero 'aquaponics' currently being done at any scale in NZ. I would very much like to change that and bring/develop this food-production technology 'of the future' to NZ. However, NZ current bio-security measures (regulation) severely constrain (limit) which fish species may be cultured in NZ. I'm not at all certain that a waiver/exemption can be obtained for culturing an suitable 'aquaponics' species in an indoor (greenhouse) environment with zero (waste/water) discharge into the natural environment ( I can 'only' try). I would intend to attempt to gain said permission for culturing a suitable fish species. I would obviously like to 'think' it would be possible given sufficient effort at/through the 'right' contacts/agencies. The vast majority of 'aquaponics' operations (both individual/backyard and commercial scale) grow various so-called 'tilapia' species (and their hybrids) while in OZ Barramundi is the principal species cultured (various bass hybrids, perch and a few other species are other potential candidates but not salmonids/trout). I desire to come to NZ with the purpose of promoting this integrated co-production technique and also to attempt to establish (generate 'industry' interest) in commercial demonstration /start-up venture - assuming that appropriate governmental permissions can be obtained.

At the same time, and being a life-long "fish-a-holic", I would also want to take full advantage of the numerous 'world-class' fishing opportunities in NZ. Some people think fishing is a sport, others variously consider it a life style, an addiction, a disease and/or a religion (personally I feel it's a combination of the later two). Coming over with portfolio and professional attire, etc. and also with camping/fishing gear in tow (both salt and fresh water) would put me well over any possible baggage allowance.

A couple questions:
So, what are the options for shipping significant 'extra' baggage, either traveling with no visa (3 month stay) and/or on Visitor's Visa (9 month stay)? For example, are airline "extra baggage" rates cheaper than 'air freight" rates or vice versa? How fast is shipping (smallish (1-2 cu m) crate in 50 kilo range) via sea (ship) from the US?

Also , I'm interested in and would be most appreciative of informed opinion/ specific information with respect to possibly emigrating with (based upon) said "highly specialized expertise".

Thanks for reading and in advance for any input/responses.

[Moorf]

Not sure if it's along the same lines, but about 8 months ago we were looking at growing wasabi - we spoke to a company in the north island who set up aqua/hyrdo-ponic systems for crop growth, in this case they specialised in wasabi - would this be the same thing?

[Going2NZ]

Hi remontado

Can't help you on the Aquaponics question (although its sounds really fascinating) or the fishing. But on shipping from the US, I have some answers. My husband has been sending boxes ranging from 20lbs to 70lbs via US Post Office. The average time for parcel post is between 7-8 weeks by our reckoning from Texas doorstep to Wellington doorstep. NZ Post has a large parcel partnership with DHL so even though they come by way of NZPost, DHL does the actual drop off.

Hints: make sure to be thorough on the Customs forms (which you can get from USPS) when it comes to describing items. Highly recommend you write "used" after everything that is used so that you don't get hit with import tarifs. USPS staff varied from helpful to hostile so the form you need is CP 72 "Customs Declaration and Dispatch Note". Also, NZ has a 100% examination policy on incoming mail so everything will get x-rayed and usually sniffed by Customs and MAF dogs so if you are shipping anything that still smells fishy (no pun, you're a fishing guy!) it might get opened and checked. Oh, and stepped on by dogs - an important consideration when packing. We had several boxes opened and only 1 box held for tarif and they packed everything back well. The box they wanted tarif on was a mistake and they just released it when we pointed it out. You als can mail boxes to your self in NZ by addressing to "poste restante" which means they will hold your stuff at certain post stations in NZ until you arrive to pick them up. Just do a search for the term on the NZ Post website for more info on that.

Hope that helps. I hear the fishing is great here.

Susan

[remontado]

Moorf wrote:
Not sure if it's along the same lines, but about 8 months ago we were looking at growing wasabi - we spoke to a company in the north island who set up aqua/hyrdo-ponic systems for crop growth, in this case they specialised in wasabi - would this be the same thing?

I am aware of several aquaponic operations growing wasabi including in Hawaii, upper NY state and NYC, in Alberta and British Colombia, Canada, at at least one operation in OZ (in Victoria, Australia).

It very well could be that growers in NZ are also doing this - I'm just not aware of any commercial effort (or even identified 'private' applications).

Does your use of the term "aqua/hydro-ponic" mean that they were using the 'wastes' (nutrient) from aquaculture (fish) production for fertilization of the wasabi? Was/is the wasabi the sole or primary biological filtration treatment applied for recycling the water to the aquaculture component? If "Yes", then this would be a application of what I am referring to.

IF this is true, would you perhaps know of the name (company or individual) and/or an address (postal or web)? Would you also happen to know what fish species they were raising?

The currently permitted freshwater species allowed for culture in NZ is extremely limited. Of the approx. two-dozen plus species now cultured in OZ using some form of aquaponics, only Atlantic salmon, Eels (short- or long-finned) and Grey Mullet are permitted in NZ. Would anyone happen to know the market value (price) of Grey Mullet in NZ stores?

BTW, I'm fairly confident that there are (probably several) people in NZ using applications of 'aquaponics' on a 'personal scale' althought I do not yet know know who they may be.


Susan wrote:
Hope that helps. I hear the fishing is great here.
Thanks so much for your detailed information. However, 7-8 weeks is TMK a very long lead-time. I suppose the USPS rates are far lower than air freight. Sealand partial container shippments take 40 days from Seattle to Wellington (or so I've heard/read).

I also hear that the fishing is great.

[Moorf]

http://www.wasabi.co.nz/License.html - in case you wanted to research their aqua/hydro kits.... I had a long talk with Michael (the owner) a while back and the operation is expensive but computer-controlled etc....

[remontado]

Thanks. Their story is quite interesting and apparently - with stubborn persistence- they have ultimately been successful with this demanding crop. However, from what I can discern, their technique does not involve any form of 'aquaponics' - or any form of aquaculture for that matter. I did see a reference to a visit to a trout hatchery which was most 'interesting' since it is my understanding the trout culture (and sales) in NZ is verboten. Although they do mention visiting said trout hatchery on their site, I cannot see how this is at all relevant to either their former or current growing technique.

But again - thanks for pointing to their site. I'm interested in all forms of horticulture production as well as freshwater aquaculture