On Our Way!

richsadams · Posted: Sat May 29, 2004 7:24 am Post subject: On Our Way!

Hi All

Just a quick post to let you know that the wife and I are on our way...flying out this Sunday to arrive bright and early in Auckland June 1. Have work visas in hand and received a confirmation from the NZIS that our EOI application was selected (165 points) last week. Hopefully we'll have a PRV by Q3 '04! fingers crossed

We're settling in Rotorua for three months then likely Tauranga by spring.

Our two cats traveled well and are now in good hands at Quality Pet Services quarantine facility in AKL...we can't wait to see them! The folks there have been terrific at letting us know how they're doing. Beau has found the electric blanket very comforting and Sunny has inspected every corner of their two-story condo! Laughing

Congratulations to everyone that will have their EOI stay in the pool longer now...there is still hope that the NZIS is getting it right...finally! Nutcase

Last post for a bit until we get on line in New Zealand. cool

Best of luck to everyone...hope to see you in Godzone soon! Nice One

Raeven · Posted: Sat May 29, 2004 9:07 am Post subject: Thanks for Everything!

Hi, Rich,

What a thrill to see you are off at last! You've been so patient, organized and well-educated in the process. We'll all miss you, if only for a few days. It sounds like everything is coming together perfectly, but it's only the result of all your hard work up front!

Thank you so much for all the help you've given on this message board to date. A lot of your posts have made it into my "How to Move to New Zealand" handbook.

Can't wait to hear how it's all going once you're on the ground in NZ!

Take care and all the best, Rae

SoCal Gal · Posted: Sat May 29, 2004 10:58 am Post subject: On our way!

Best of everything to you, Rich, and can't wait to hear from you again!
Thanks for the update on the kitties too! I'm with Rae on kudos for your tips, you practically WROTE my "moving to NZ' file! Yay, Rich! All the best, and can't wait to read your updates from the other side! cool

richsadams · Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2004 7:18 pm Post subject: We're Here!

Hi All Again

Well, we made it to Auckland...checked on our cats in quarantine and all is well. Bought a car at Turners Auctions and it's turned out to be a great deal, at least so far fingers crossed

Saved a ton of money buying at auction instead of a dealership. Got our bank account all squared away. Getting a cell phone is a royal pain here. In the U.S. you can generally walk in and in about ten minutes walk out with a phone. Not so easy here...they want credit checks, work visas, first born, etc. Only two companies to deal with, Vodaphone and Telecom, so no competition to speed things along. But other than that, no complaints.

Visiting Tauranga now and checking out houses. Prices are high for here, reasonable for anyone from the states.

Headed to Rotorua to start on the new business in a few days.

Can't believe we're here after all this time. Still a bit of a dream...a great one! cool

For everyone in the process...it IS worth it. Hang in there and keep the faith. You can do it.

Still don't have broadband so I'm using an Internet cafe at the moment. I'll post more details as soon as I get set up.

Happiness is New Zealand!! Nice One

JCM · Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2004 11:05 pm Post subject:

It's great to hear you've made it Rich - looking forward to hearing more of your impressions of NZ. Nice One

Moorf · Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2004 11:31 pm Post subject:

Hi - Picked up on your point re cell phones - if we are over on a visitors visa does that mean we can't buy a mobile phone ? Or does it just mean we can't get a mobile phone on "contract" and will need to get "pay as u go"?

richsadams · Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2004 10:28 am Post subject: We're Here!

Hi JC, Moorf and All!

It's great to be here! cool

The cell phone thing is just a bit of a whine on my part...given everything else...it's a very small thing. It was rainy and cold that day so had to vent somehow. Wah

As we're here on a 12 month work visa while they complete our EOI application Vodaphone had issues because they want you to sign a 36 month contract...unheard of where we came from, but a small price to pay for a bit of paradise eh? Clapping

Otherwise, yes, the pay-as-you-go option is probably the way to go. Not too expensive, about NZ$150 gets you a phone and a bunch of minutes. Or if you have your own phone (has to be a GSM) they'll add a sim card and you can simply buy a "voucher" (phone card) in various amounts from NZ$20 up. Prices for basic to wash-your-windows and give you a manicure phones are about the same as in the states.

The moving company tells us that our belongings are to arrive around July 21. That will be almost exactly eight weeks from the date they picked things up in Arizona. It's okay with us as we have a furnished rental home until the end of August, so only about a month's storage is in order and that was part of the original cost of shipping.

Visited a couple of "natural/organic" supermarkets and found some great produce, fruits and meats. Prices a little higher than we're used to, but still reasonable. This is a very "green conscious" place and we really like that aspect. Nice One

The people here have been VERY friendly in almost every circumstance...even when I pull into a roundabout when it's not my turn! Rolling Eyes

Hooked up with one of the Internet providers, Xtra, which has "Jetstream" broadband. They'll hook us up with a DSL account...no cable broadband where we're moving (yet)...for a flat rate of NZ$64.95 a month with three months free on a one year contract. If you don't up/download a lot you can get it cheaper, but we didn't want to have any surprises when the bill comes. A newer company, Woosh, is providing high-speed wireless broadband connections in the bigger cities such as Auckland, Wellington, etc. Not sure of pricing, but hopefully one day things will be high tech everywhere soon. Unfortunately the government is involved and we all know how fast things move when they get their say! Razz

Will be talking to Telecom about phone service and Sky about cable T.V. this week. I'll post the results.

When time permits we'll create a little website that will allow friends and family to read about our adventures and view some photos of Godzone. We miss everyone a lot already, but most have said they will come to visit for sure so we're going to be contributing to NZ's tourist trade soon!

It's a beautiful sunny day here in Tauranga. Had Eggs Benedict and watched the sun glimmer across the bay at a wonderful cafe called The Nake Grape (great wine bar at night! Yes

). I'm in a polo shirt and jeans. A bit nippy but one has to endure the dreadful winter weather here. Wink

Couldn't resist asking the waitress to take our photo to send back to our friends and family...they'll be green with envy. Mr. Green

(It's 110 F/42 C where we came from Eek

) The ocean looks awesome so we're off to enjoy the beaches and do some more house hunting. Nutcase

Now if I can just remember to keep "looking right" as I pull out or walk across the street we'll be in great shape! Hmmm

No regrets so far! Clink

Raeven · Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2004 2:46 pm Post subject: We're Not!!!

Rich!!!

It's fabulous to see you've made it and you're so happy with things!! Can't wait to hear more of your adventures and misadventures. All will be of interest and great value to those of us following in your footsteps. Please let me warn you, I have about a jillion questions for you when you're reasonably settled and willing to take them!

Meantime, glad to hear you're enjoying the wonderful NZ lifestyle and out of the Phoenix smokehouse. Kudos to you and your family!

All the best, Rae

sesame · Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2004 3:30 am Post subject:

Hi, Rich!

Congratulations on your arrival!!
(we're from albuquerque - so i hear you!!!!!! i actually worked in a 5 star hotel in scottsdale for a while ....)

your excitement is sparking right through the computer - i got goosebumps! Yes

thank you for sharing.
all the best to you and yours,

sesame~

karltsmith · Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2004 3:36 pm Post subject:

Hi Rich and welcome to the land of the long white cloud! Nice One

Karl