[Lupin]

Okay, so now we think we are shipping our stuff, we need to consider what's worth getting here and what's worth getting there. We're bringing our washing machine (unless I can't find the transit bolts), but will buy a fridge/freezer out there (thanks to some sensible advice on here about waiting to see the gap for it :nice1 ), we won't want a TV and have been offered a PC (this one is really limping along and I don't think worth taking), but one thing we would like to replace with something decent is our stereo. Our current one is totally knackered. I'd want something reasonable, preferably seperates, perhaps MP3 player and digital radio too. Do you think we should buy this here and ship it or in NZ? We'll be moving to Hawkes Bay, so not near any of the big cities.

Thank you in advance :)

[StevieD]

Hi Lupin - I have looked at some of the electrical stuff down there and the price is much of a muchness. If you can do it, try Richer Sounds here - they tend to blow the socks off most traders and they have online shopping. Get some of their specials and you can put together a decent setup. I got a Cambridge Audio amp, Phillips CD player and Gale speakers for less than £200 - OMG it is loud!!

I have an old Pioneer turntable from years back, so I'll resurrect that to play the big CD's that are upstairs in the loft (:laugh that's what the kids described them as!!).
As for MP3's I not that bothered bout them, but can see me setting up the PC to amp via an optic link, or maybe just not bother.

Have a look at Richer sounds though, you could get a good deal.

Steve

[Lupin]

S and I have just been browsing Richer Sounds, thanks Steve, think we'll take a trip to Bristol and play with the stuff in the shop....looks like we're going to get some incredible bargains :D So, a couple more questions :roll

1) I want to buy an analogue and digital radio combined (because digital is coming to NZ :) ), but will one bought in the UK receive analogue and digital signal in NZ? I know you can listen through your pc but we're going to be living as rural as we can afford in NZ so probably on dire dial-up for some years. Will be great when broadband becomes more available. We both love listening to the radio...I fret about the loss of radio 4 and DAB far more than tv or tescos.

2) If we buy it soon and keep the packaging and pack it all in original packaging for shipping, will there be some sort of import penalty for it being new? (apologies if that's a crazy question!)

[Oregonkiwi]

2) If we buy it soon and keep the packaging and pack it all in original packaging for shipping, will there be some sort of import penalty for it being new? (apologies if that's a crazy question!)

Not a crazy question! :)
have a look here:
http://www.customs.govt.nz/travellers/Household+Effects/When+No+Customs+Charges+Apply.htm
Your household or other related effects (excluding motor vehicles, boats and aircraft) will be admitted free of duty and exempt GST for a reasonable time after your arrive, provided you can meet all of the following requirements:

* you are coming to New Zealand with the intention and legal authority to take up or resume permanent residence
* you have lived outside New Zealand for the whole of the 21 months before the date of your arrival in New Zealand
* you have owned and used the goods before the date of your departure for New Zealand
* the goods are for your own personal use and not intended for any other person or persons or for gift, sale or exchange.

The following goods will not qualify for duty free entry, unless you can establish that the items have had personal use prior to their arrival in New Zealand:

* goods shipped directly after purchase to avoid local taxes in the country of export
* replacement electrical equipment operating to New Zealand standards.

[Lupin]

Thanks for that Oregonkiwi...I'll use it and get the packers to pack it then :)

I think I've found the answer to my other question, in case any one else is interested I thought I'd reply to myself :laugh

1) I want to buy an analogue and digital radio combined (because digital is coming to NZ ), but will one bought in the UK receive analogue and digital signal in NZ?

Well it looks like it's possible to get one that will work abroad (http://www.getdabdigitalradio.com/faqs/category/abroad), but I'd need to check before I buy that the type of "band" it receives is compatible with what NZ will broadcast. I won't be able to receive UK stations :wah

eta: It looks like I'd need to get one that is both "band III" (used in UK) and "L-Band" (http://www.wohnort.demon.co.uk/DAB/h-t.html#NZ) (clueless about what this actually means) compatible to be sure of picking up digital in NZ as soon as it's available and in the future? :uhoh

[StevieD]

Well Lupin, it looks like our DAB radio's for UK use will not work in NZ anyway. The use of 'L' band will render our sets useless. Our standard in the UK is on VHF stereo (similar to FM radio but on a slightly higher frequency) and 'L' band is in the UHF band (higher than terrestrial tv channels). So it is either sell it now, or give it away when you finished with it. I'll have a trawl around looking for sets that may have dual standards but don't hold your breath on this one...

Steve

[StevieD]

I have just looked at the information on that site again, and it seems that they are also considering Band III transmission as well, as long as it doesn't cause undue interference to existing TV broadcasts.. so maybe our little DAB sets may be of use after all.

As Hughie Green used to say "It's make your mind up time folks..."

Edit - looking at the site with the frequencies, go to the link below and find your receiver on the list. Mine is band III only, but there are a few on there that have dual band reception capabilities. Up to you, but I think I may be listening on the net coz Planet Rock isn't available in NZ!
Or forget DAB and listen to CD's again.

If you are so concerned about radio 4, do what I used to do when I at sea and use a short wave radio to listen to the world service, but make sure you put a decent aerial up.

Receiver list:-

http://www.wohnort.demon.co.uk/DAB/rxdab.html

[Lupin]

Mine is band III only. Will keep an eye on DAB in NZ over the coming months and decide if it's worth putting the Evoke 1XT Tri-Band on my wishful thinking Christmas list. Wonder how long it'll be before Broadband gets coverage in more rural areas.

When we were in NZ five years ago we used to listen to the world service :)

What is NZ radio like?

[Smiler]

What is NZ radio like?

Much the same is the UK. Breakfast progs usually involve 2 blokes and a girl doing or talking about daft stuff, going out and finding people in still their jammies to interview about the school sausage sizzle. Or the presenters make them run out into the street banging a saucepan with a wooden spoon to wake up their neighbours. :confused:

The usual traffic reports, news etc during the day. Competitions to win a pass to an exhibition or a lipstick are going all day. No $1000 prizes here.

Breeze and Classic are mind numbingly, easy listening type stations. Radio Hauraki (sp) plays Floyd constantly and has special PF nights, most nights.:laugh I can't stand their presenter during the day so only listen in at night when it's better IMHO.:D

There is also a talk station but don't listen to that so really can't comment. We listen to Radio 6, Virgin or Tezza over the net too. I miss Pete and Geoff from Virgin but Geoff has a late show on Virgin which I listen to.

OH has a shiny DAB waiting for NZ to catch up too. :(

[StevieD]

Hey Debs, is the light programme still on?? :laugh

Believe Lord Haw Haw was heard last week... ;)

Like the sound of the Floyd station

Steve

[Smiler]

Sometimes I feel if I turned the radio on sunday mornings, I'd be listening to that BFPO programme.

You know the one that goes;

'Here we have the 1812 overture for Nellie and Sid in Wigan, requested by their grandchildren Elsie and Ernie in Baden Baden who they haven't seen in 30 years'. Used to make me cry. :wah

[jonSE]

Radio Hauraki is one of the things I really miss about NZ (having emigrated to OZ 3 weeks ago) They don't only play PF but quite a lot of Zep as well especially over the hills and far away. Their play list seems a bit short - same songs at the same time every day? but for a tenn from the seventies it was heaven.

Jon
Now in Sydney

[StevieD]

Sounds good to me Jon - must keep my ears open for that one :)

[gotourvisa]

We could not find the packing bolts for our washing machine and the packers suggested to take the top off ( 2 screws ) and pack the drum with towels so it didn't move in transit, and it worked perfect. We brought everything including our fridge freezer and it all works great. The only thing we had to send home for was extra bags for the Hoover.

[StevieD]

Good tip that, but wouldn't like to see the state of the towels afterwards. YUK

[Lupin]

Thanks for that :)

[gotourvisa]

Towels were the first load into the wash and came out perfect and now hanging in the bathroom

[Aydon]

You can listen to The BReeze on line - http://christchurch.thebreeze.co.nz (IIRC) - you have to register but it's a no-spam registration. Peter MAc and Hillary in the morning (6pm-ish UK Time) and Luuuurve Songs in the evening - pretty bland MoR stuff but will give you an idea :)