UK-NZ Flight Prices Dec-Jan

MJB · Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 10:44 am Post subject: UK-NZ Flight Prices Dec-Jan

Looking at "popping" over to NZ to check out possible places to live (if all goes well fingers crossed

) around December/Jan time. Appreciate its probably the most expensive time, but as we have never been to NZ before - this trip will not only confirm that we do actually want to emigrate (myself and girlfriend), but also where to do so. Whilst also hopefully lining up some job interviews. Best prices so far £780 per adult (inc taxes). Is that good or can I expect better?

Being British (weather obsessed) - where's the best place for sunshine/heat & jobs. All info points to Auckland, but I'd like to "get away from it all" rather than live in the city. Any good places that are commutable from there (bay of plenty - or is that too far?)

Cheers.

Mike.

Lauren · Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 9:21 pm Post subject: Flight prices.

Hi,

£780 not bad for Dec/Jan Had a quick look on www.ebookers.com and their best is £720 incl tax into AKL on the 02/12/04 until 16/12/04. With Singapore airlines. They use all airlines on the site and they seem v. competitive.

Hope that helps.
L.

PS. Have never been to NZ either so cannot help with other queries!

karltsmith · Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 9:37 pm Post subject:

Hi MJB,

Auckland is surrouned by great places to live/visit. I'm migrating on March 19th and lived there for 3 years from 1987 to 1991. My family of 4 one way ticket £1355.00 including all taxes and Ins, £304 per adult £232.00 per Child. Try www.airline-network.co.uk tickets purchased yesterday and in my hand by this mornings post! Routing via LAX may be cheaper and will increase you baggage allowance to 64kg compared with 20kg going the eastern route!

Commutable to Auckland CBD is Orewa and the Hibiscus coast (beaches), Waitakere city/ranges (bush/beach settings), Rodney district (dairy/pasture), East coast bays (beaches and well to do suburbs).

It much depends on the lifestyle you are looking for. Can you give me a wish list and I will point you in what I think is the right direction. Include requirements for schools age of any kids, pets etc. if you can or send me a pm.

Karl

karltsmith · Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 9:39 pm Post subject:

I forgot to mention the Bay of Plenty is too far to commute to Auckland!

MJB · Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2004 10:47 am Post subject:

Thanks for the offer of help, a bit about me and the missus. I'm a 28 yr old IT professional, and my girlfriend is 25. She is currently in Business Development - but she is thinking about a career change if we get over there - and possibly enrolling at a university. We have a cat (slightly overweight) who will definitely be coming. Schools not of concern yet... Long term plans are to run our own B&B. Short term is to locate ourselves in prime sunbathing/increased outdoor lifestyle area. Auckland seems to offer all of this and the best job oppurtunities, but ideally we'd like to live outside of the city. Suburbia/beach lifestyle very desirable but near to civilisation (not ready to retire just yet). Ideally looking for a Wellington without the wind! Dont know if that gives you any help at all.

karltsmith · Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2004 9:01 pm Post subject:

Hi MJB,

From what you've said you couild do worse than try the Hibiscus coast/Orewa and the Whangaparoa peninisula but no further than say Army Bay because only single road feeds the main drag to AKL and the further down the peninsula you go the more of a queue in the morning! 30-45 mins to AKL CBD.

If you want a slower pace of life and easy acces to bush walks, surfy beaches etc then I would head over to the Waitakere Ranges 30-45 mins to AKL.

If you want open fields and pasture the Bombay hills south of AKL have some lovely homesteads as does Dairy flats on the North Shore and Okura/Long Bay.

I hope this helps.....best advice....stump up up £600 for a ticket and go an have a look.....trouble is you won't want to come back!

MJB · Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2004 10:53 am Post subject:

Karl, thanks for the advise. Your last sentence is definitely whats necessary!

Mike.

ChrisandDenise · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 08 Dec 2003 Posts: 14

Try www.expedia.co.uk Just tried 3/12/2004-17/12/2004 .....£743 per adult inclusive from Manchester. Try different dates/airports. We use Expedia all the time and they are rarely beaten on price.

Good luck Razz

JCM · Posted: Sun Feb 29, 2004 5:55 pm Post subject:

New Zealand's biggest travel agent is, ironically, an Australian co.

They guarantee they'll beat anyone else's fares. They're expanding in the UK at the moment.

http://www.flightcentre.co.uk/

karltsmith · Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2004 9:14 pm Post subject:

Airline prices drop in the northern hemisphere after April 16th so you should get cheaper flights then. Pre booking tickets well in advance can save you up to 30%. Do some web surfing for the best deals. Ironically you don't get the best deal going straight to the airline itself. I think this is because they sell allocations to agents and are not allowed to discount and work against them. If you are taking a lot of baggage when you migrate ....like us, go via LAX and you will get 64kg each person and some airlines will also give you 50% off there air cargo rates..Air NZ is one of these!

Karl