Hi Eveyone..Karl reporting for duty as promised

Tara Sage · Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2004 6:35 am Post subject:

Hi Karl

We have been following your comments with great interest. Glad to hear its all going smoothly.

We have a 6 Year old boy and are hopefully heading for Christchurch in Aug providing we can sell our house here in UK. fingers crossed

Keep us posted as to how the girls are getting on it boasts our confidence that we are doing the right thing for our son (Our main worry).

Look forward to future up dates!

What do you think of Christchurch?

lor · Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2004 7:31 am Post subject:

Hi Karl, Absolutely unbelievable!! cool

I am on a management board here in the UK for my local early years centre ( Playgroup, young mums centre, Adult learning, Day care units etc) it's a large centre, but government run, we struggle to get the funds for a christmas party, never mind day trips, climbing frames, and lots more you have mentioned. I bet you are more than willing to help out, with all that on offer for your children, I know I would be, like you said in a previous post you don't mind paying taxes when you can see where your money is going, that is very true.
At the start of the moving process to NZ, it seems such a long drawn out process, which it is, but when you here views like your own and many others, you understand that it IS all worth it in the end!!!n Keep your fingers crossed

for me and my family. I'm wishing my life away!!, wishing it to be in NZ!!

karltsmith · Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2004 11:47 am Post subject:

Hi Tara / lor,

WRT ChCh its' a lovely city, I suppose as English as you can get within NZ! Their are lovely parks/reserves and the river Avon runs through it. Its flat so if you are into bike riding ideal if you don't like hills...a bit boring if you do! ChCh is a good base/staging post for access to all of the South Island so if you like outdoor persuits you'll love it.

I just got back from Long Bay on the North Shore which has a large safe play area for kiddies up to 7 years old. Clean, well managed, not a scrap of litter, broken glass, dog poo or the graffiti we are used to. It looks out over the beach at Long Bay and today is 22 degrees with clear skies and wonderful views of Rangitoto volcanoe and it's neighbouring islands...it' Nice One

s 5 minutes drive from home! We had a picnic after some serious play time and the girls are full of smiles and giggles! I think that says it all!

rodders · Valued Member Joined: 25 Nov 2003 Posts: 134

it's good to read your comments again karl.

have you noticed any big changes for the better (or worse) since you last lived in nz?

karltsmith · Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2004 8:32 pm Post subject:

Hi Rodders

I've noticed a lot of changes but as yet I could'nt comment fairly on whether they are good or bad. I've spoken with a lot of older Kiwis that I meet on the beach when out with the girls and obviously immigration is a hot topic when you have an accent any other than kiwi! on that score your average Kiwi is a bit miffed at people coming into the country to use NZ as a backdoor route to AUS. Otherwise people are pretty cool. I've not spoken with any Maori's to get their veiw point largely because there are few living in our locallity its a mainly pakeha (white) migrant population on the shore! Shy

Auckland city has expanded a little but not much in area..more the density of highrise development and the new hotels such as the Hilton on Princes Wharf which I remember being barren apart fron a Steinlager bar during the Americas Cup! Clink

There are definately a lot more asians here as students, migrants etc.

The Northern moterway up to Orewa brings this town 10 mins closer to AKL...don't know if thats good or bad realy. I went to a freinds BBQ up there last weekend to see his new house. My first impression as with any new build area I suppose is that its rather sterile with some rather dule and boring flat slopes to build on (just my opinion for what its worth...sorry if I've offended anyone who thinks Orewa is Paradise). Uhoh

I suppose the problem you must consider when buying a section is how soon before the 'to die for' view you bought becomes obscurred by other new builds that will inevitably surround you....and then will you be so happy with your choice? Eek

My advice, for what its worth, is to buy in a mature residential area, if thats your thing, and either renovate, rebuild or just enjoy what you've bought. At least the neighbourhood is an established one and minimal changes can occur. Nice One

Driving is as exiting as ever it was! With one third of the people knowing the quirky give way rules, one third not and the remainder just taking a wild stab in the dark! fingers crossed

Car insurance is cheap....which is suprising considering my last comment! Hmmm

But apart from all that it's a great place to be and I would'nt have it any other way!
Clapping

One Tree Hill isn't any more!.........Its now 'No Tree Hill' Laughing

The Sky Tower is an acquired taste...great from a distance but a monstrosity close up!.......a bit like the Rotunda in Birmingham I suppose for all you Brummies out there (yow or roight?).
Nutcase

karltsmith · Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2004 8:35 pm Post subject:

Sorry about all the typos' in that last one.....dreadful! Embarassed

lor · Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2004 6:35 am Post subject:

Hi there, how is everything going? I hope you are still having a great time there. I have a question for you, hope you do not mind, my question is regarding baby food ( tinned jars) our little girl will only be 10 months old when we make the move if all goes well fingers crossed

with my husband interviews, so she will still require baby food in the form of the jars, is there the range they have over here? she loves Farley's rusk and practially lives on it? Sounds a silly question I know but when you way things up, the little things that really have not bothered you before start becoming the most important!!!!

Thanks.

Tanya · Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2004 7:47 am Post subject:

Hi Lor

If you click on this link

http://www.woolworths.co.nz

and browse on the site and search for baby food there are 126 items.

I have also seen them in Super Value and New World (Both are supermarkets) so they are readily available. I was in NZ at xmas and my sister was over from OZ with her baby so I had checked these out for her - looked the same and her son seemed to enjoy them!

Hope this helps

Tanya

karltsmith · Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2004 1:30 pm Post subject:

Hi Lor,

To start with yes there is a pretty good selection at Woolworths, Foodtown and Pak'n'Save others like New World also have ranges to fit the bill! When you come over you will be asked to dicard food items by MAF please be aware that this does not apply to baby food purees in sealed jars! So you can bring a load of your must have favourite along with you with no probs! Foodtowwn only do Heinz Rusks and a lot of organic ranges are available which is what we used at your baby's age! Be sure to register for a Foodtown/Woolworths ONECARD. You need this to get the special offers which are shown by yellow tickets! You can get a temporary card at any store or you can apply on line if you already have an NZ address. Also you should register for a Fly Buys card which will earn you airmiles! Check out www.flybuys.co.nz

This link will take you to the baby food section and they do
http://www.foodtown.co.nz/homeshopping/shop.asp?sid=JB84CBXV8NCU8MRG1A6664KXSQRKDRR1

Nice One

dan-ish · Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2004 8:43 pm Post subject: Brummies!

Hey Karl,

It's good to have the brummy back. Sounds like you are living the life we are all after. Good on you. Nice One

I was wondering about the car insurance. Am I right in thinking that it's not compulsory? Perhaps that is why it is so cheap...?

It's funny you mention 'One(No) Tree Hill' as I was actually there the night it was removed. There were hundreds of people mourning the loss of the great tree that is even mentioned in a U2 song. If I remember rightly it was removed because it was dangerous and likely to topple and squish somebody Eek

! Do you know what they have done with it?

With regards the Skytower it is not so bad close up. The best place to be is in the restraunt at the top as, obviously, you can't see the tower, but you have an awesome view of all of Auckland as it slowly revolves. Unfortunately, the Rotunda looks terrible from any point of view...

Anyway, Karl, it's great to have someone here who has made it and is keeping in touch. Like some others have said, it makes it all seem possible.

We appreciate it. Cheers.

Dan-ish Razz

karltsmith · Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2004 8:55 pm Post subject:

Hi Dan,

Can't answer the car insurance question fully all I know is that I pay 1/3 what I payed in the UK!! I think its so cheap because you can't sue for punitive damages and the ACC covers accident compensation? Interestingly also you insure our car for its replacement value and thats what you get if its written off...no loss adjusters dumming down the price based on market value...good eh? I pay NZ$509 for fully comp on an NZ$18K car!..Thats about £170!

Cars are really cheap you're spoilt for choice!

Sky Tower.....maybe it will grow on me.... certainly it is better being on the inside and looking out thats for sure! I still think it looks like a huge hypodermic syringe but hey what do I know...its better than the Rotunda on a wet Saturday afternoon....but then most things are!

Take care Dan your beer awaits but you have to come and get it! Clink

eric_amanda · Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2004 10:13 pm Post subject: Baby Milk Panic

Hi Karl

When we arrive in NZ our youngest baby will be just 6 mths and will need progress milk, along with a little weaning food. Will MAF take all baby milk we have? or will they allow us to keep a little to get us through the next 24 hrs until we get to accomodation and are able to buy more etc?

Thanks

Amanda

DioneB · Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2004 11:54 pm Post subject: Baby-milk

Hi Amanda

You can buy the cartons of made-up formula from Cow and Gate. They are great for the plane and you can pack a load in your suitcase. They are fine to take through customs and they aslo save you the hassle of boiling water etc when you arrive.

Di Nice One

karltsmith · Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 10:14 am Post subject:

Hi Eric/Amanda

I'm pretty sure you can bring unopened packs of dried formula without any hassle but check with MAF via there website. I think all baby food is exempt provided it's unopened but check this out before you invest in any more. Availability of formula is widespread so no worries there. Buying made up milk is a good tip from Dion but heavy to carry in any quantity and pricy by comparison with powder formula! Where are you heading? Nice One

eric_amanda · Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 11:15 pm Post subject:

Thanks Dione and Karl for your help we will bear this in mind. Do you have MAF's website address?

We are headed to Whangarei mid August this year. Eric is an Optometrist and so we are coming on a talent visa.

Any help, advice and info regarding emigrating with young children will be very helpful. We have three young boys. The eldest was just 3, second 1 yesterday and the youngest is two months. So the more we know and can arrange before we leave the better.

How did your twins cope with jet lag? Do you have any tips with travelling with such young children. We are planning on flying with Singapore Airlines or Emirates.

Thanks again

Amanda & Eric