# Tell me about New Zealand **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 31, 2007, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-new-zealand/413796 "2007-07-31T08:32:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2007, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-new-zealand/413796/21 "2007-08-01T03:01:45Z")
[QUOTE=Mame] Wellington is a must see. The main Museum, te Papa, is great. If you belong to your local State museum, see if they have a reciprocal membership. Our local museum, the Powerhouse, does, and has reciprocal membership with a bunch of US museums as well. Wellington has a good food culture, but a tendancy to be mostly shut on Sunday. Don’t expect the shops to be open the same hours as in the US. [/quote] What hours are they open then? Because this is another of those things that varies within the US. Some cities roll up the sidewalks at 6pm, others go strong until 8 or 9, and of course, NYC never sleeps. > [@](#): > > There is also a strong women’s fashion industry. And an excellent beer culture. So I am covered both ways! Not a beer maven. Not a shopaholic either, **but** , seeing as I’ll be limited in what I can bring, I’ll probably be shopping out of necessity. > [@](#): > > The drive between Wellington and Rotorua is phenomenal - scenery unlike anywhere else. And Rotorua is spectacular - the earth’s crust is apparently thinner in Rotorua than anywhere else on the planet surface, so the geothermal parks are just stunning. You can easily spend a couple of days touristing in Rotorua alone. > > I can also really recommend a hotel in Rotorua if you are interested. The rooms were large and clean and relatively inexpensive. We appreciated that they were good about recommending things to do which were free/inexpensive/interesting. They also had a geothermal bath and drying room on-site and ran things like the laundry room on an honour system. Sounds awesome! I don’t know what we’ll be allowed in the way of time off, but we’ll certainly check that out when we can! > [@](#): > > Of course you are not going to stamp your tiny feet and refuse to go if Burt’s Balm isn’t available everywhere. I assumed you were asking so you know whether to take a supply, or if anyone local can recommend a better one. Exactly! And I know bubble gum is available everywhere, or at least everywhere sweets in general are sold. Just wondering if orange and raspberry exist anywhere on the planet, because I haven’t seen them in the US, except for novelties, since 1990. Also, since we’re on the subject, are Kinder eggs available in NZ? That’s another thing I have never experienced in my whole life. I can’t find them **anywhere**. Not even at Trader Joe’s, not in L.A. > [@](#): > > If you have a hat, take it or be prepared to buy one. Also be prepared to wear sunscreen in summer. I do have a hat – the one that didn’t save me from heat exhaustion last week. Lesson learned, and it’s probably a good thing it happened now! And I’m well supplied with sunscreen. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2007, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-new-zealand/413796/22 "2007-08-01T03:46:42Z")
[QUOTE=Rilchiam] Also, since we’re on the subject, are Kinder eggs available in NZ? [/QUOTE] They used to be when I lived there. They’re still here in Australia. So I would say that’s a yes. I have my two favourite Kinder Surprise toys on my monitor, I’ve kept them for about 10 years. ---
**Author:** ![dynamitedave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed655f/32.png) [@dynamitedave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dynamitedave)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2007, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-new-zealand/413796/23 "2007-08-01T06:40:25Z")
Shop hours are from 8 to 9 opening to 5:30pm closing, with supermarkets til 10pm. There are 24 hour petrol stations, supermarkets, and fast food. Some places have a late Thursday or Friday night, open til 8pm. Most shops are open in weekends, but may have reduced hours, say 9/9:30am to 4pm, except for supermarkets etc. All times are typical. YMMV, but seem true enough around here for me. In small towns in the boonies all bets are off. Cafes/restaurants mightn’t serve you if you turn up at 8pm on say a Tuesday night for example, unless you’re in a really populated place. Just looked up Kelly Park. Their [location](http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&ll=-36.583004,174.568892&spn=0.051347,0.082569&z=14&om=1) (Haruru Road) isn’t far from Orewa/Helensville,Northern North Shore Suburbs. That particular road is gravel. I’d press the guy for photos and an independent report on any house he finds for you as there are some old farm houses out that way which could be a bit too much of an experience :eek: 10 months in a caravan would be better :smack: If you get an address, I could do a drive by. Kinder Surprise are about, so you’ll be right 😃 If you’re here, you ought to get a few weeks off to travel about, or stay after your contract finishes for a bit to look around, but August is the wrong time for that. You might get a xmas break, but you’ll be with everyone else too :smack: **Mame** has some good suggestions, I haven’t been a tourist here for years. :eek: And the sun…you WILL get zapped. :eek: I do believe **NurseCarmen** is stirring 😃 **Ice Wolf** , I watching me type reminds people of chooks feeding, though my movements aren’t as fast :smack: 😃 That Spareroom quote…priceless 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2007, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-new-zealand/413796/24 "2007-08-01T06:51:43Z")
[QUOTE=dynamitedave] Shop hours are from 8 to 9 opening to 5:30pm closing, with supermarkets til 10pm. There are 24 hour petrol stations, supermarkets, and fast food. Some places have a late Thursday or Friday night, open til 8pm. Most shops are open in weekends, but may have reduced hours, say 9/9:30am to 4pm, except for supermarkets etc. All times are typical. YMMV, but seem true enough around here for me. In small towns in the boonies all bets are off. Cafes/restaurants mightn’t serve you if you turn up at 8pm on say a Tuesday night for example, unless you’re in a really populated place. [/quote] Well, as I said, I’m not a shopping maven. And we probably won’t have a lot of free time during the week. As long as the supermarkets keep good hours! > [@](#): > > Just looked up Kelly Park. Their [location](http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&ll=-36.583004,174.568892&spn=0.051347,0.082569&z=14&om=1) (Haruru Road) isn’t far from Orewa/Helensville,Northern North Shore Suburbs. That particular road is gravel. I’d press the guy for photos and an independent report on any house he finds for you as there are some old farm houses out that way which could be a bit too much of an experience :eek: 10 months in a caravan would be better :smack: If you get an address, I could do a drive by. Okay, thanks! Also, Mr. Rilch has some questions. – Is there any place to buy or have repairs done on Apple Computer products? – Is beef expensive? How about dairy? We’re **not** vegetarians, put it that way. – Australia has a lot of creepy insects and animal predators (no offense, Aussies). How is NZ in that department? – If he wears something that basically screams “American!” out in public, like a Pittsburgh Steelers shirt, will that provoke anyone? ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2007, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-new-zealand/413796/25 "2007-08-01T07:11:57Z")
[QUOTE=Rilchiam] Also, Mr. Rilch has some questions. – Is there any place to buy or have repairs done on Apple Computer products? [/quote] Apple even have an [NZ website](http://www.apple.com/nz/) so you guys should have no worries getting Aple stuff here. > [@](#): > > Is beef expensive? How about dairy? We’re **not** vegetarians, put it that way. Pays to shop around and check out prices on any meats these days. Beef is better value in the supermarket than lamb (much to my sorrow. I love lamb). Also depends on the cut. Dairy – there’s a lot of milk and dairy product suppliers these days here. It’s affordable. > [@](#): > > Australia has a lot of creepy insects and animal predators (no offense, Aussies). How is NZ in that department? Apart from the odd Aussie accidental import, the “creepiest” insect we have is our own [weta](http://weta.boarsnest.net/) (beware folks, picture of said insect on the page). Only one native spider is poisonous, the katipo. Unless you’re in the bush, or parts hardly cultivated, you’re unlikely to see the weta, and the katipo is endangered and lives close to northern beaches under driftwood. NZ has no snakes, unlike Australia, poisonous or otherwise. > [@](#): > > – If he wears something that basically screams “American!” out in public, like a Pittsburgh Steelers shirt, will that provoke anyone? Nah, he’ll probably be asked where he got it and for how much. We’re not anti-American here, by and large. There are a few bigots, but they’re a minority. You’d see lots of American style clothes on sale at local markets. The kids love 'em. ---
**Author:** ![dynamitedave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed655f/32.png) [@dynamitedave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dynamitedave)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2007, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-new-zealand/413796/26 "2007-08-01T07:17:26Z")
Apple has about the same market penetration as the US. So their products/servicing are available. But no iphone. Can somebody else comment? Milk, say NZ$4 for 2 litres. Sirlon steak $19/kg. Browse [Woolworths](http://www.woolworths.co.nz/HomeShopping/Shop.aspx) No, no critters that kill you like in Oz. There’s wasps/bees and a couple of spiders that can cause grief though. And the local’s driving :smack: A lot of people here wear US themed clothing. That said, like anywhere else, there are idiots about, so at first just take it quietly until you see how things go. I’d wear neutral clothing the first couple of nights out. Day wear should be ok. Can anyone else comment? And again **Ice Wolf** Damn pecker that I am 😃 ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2007, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-new-zealand/413796/27 "2007-08-01T07:21:11Z")
[QUOTE=Ice Wolf] Only one native spider is poisonous, the katipo. [/QUOTE] [Katipo spiders](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katipo) are _venomous_, not _poisonous_ (you don’t eat them). They’re related to the Black Widow and Redback, but I lived in NZ for thirty years, in a coastal area that should have been the ideal environment for them, but never ever saw one in all that time. Except on display in the museum. ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2007, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-new-zealand/413796/28 "2007-08-01T07:34:48Z")
Thanks for the correction, **Guano Lad**. They are the only _venomous_ NZ native spider, indeed. You’ve just confirmed what know, though – they’re endangered, they’re rare, and hardly seen. ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2007, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-new-zealand/413796/29 "2007-08-01T07:37:35Z")
[QUOTE=dynamitedave] And again **Ice Wolf** Damn pecker that I am 😃 [/QUOTE] The Americans will start wondering about you and that pecker, mate! 😉🙂 For the record, though – I’m a one-fingered typist meself (middle finger, right hand) with the left index finger playing harmony. ---
**Author:** ![calm\_kiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@calm\_kiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/calm_kiwi)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2007, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-new-zealand/413796/30 "2007-08-01T12:33:54Z")
Bring an umbrella! And always but always wear layers! The song “Four seasons in one day” was written by a Kiwi for a reason! ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2007, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-new-zealand/413796/31 "2007-08-01T14:31:06Z")
[QUOTE=Ice Wolf] Apple even have an [NZ website](http://www.apple.com/nz/) so you guys should have no worries getting Aple stuff here. [/QUOTE] :eek: Holy fmeep, those prices are expensive! NZD 3399 for the lowest MacBook Pro? In Canada, it’s going for [CAD 2199](http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/canadastore.woa/wo/StoreReentry.wo?family=MacBookPro) (approximately NZD 2680) before taxes. Taxes take it out to CAD 2506 (NZD 3056), adding 14%. I know, because I just bought one at that price. Are there special requirements for NZ products that drive the prices up? Do your prices include taxes? ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2007, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-new-zealand/413796/32 "2007-08-01T14:44:15Z")
[QUOTE=calm kiwi] Bring an umbrella! And always but always wear layers! The song “Four seasons in one day” was written by a Kiwi for a reason! [/QUOTE] Okay then! Thank you for the info about Apple, beef and dairy, and American clothing. I take it Americans are a’ight in general, no big cultural barrier to get over. Thank heavens! **Sunspace** : Could be that importing stuff to an island country necessarily drives prices up. ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2007, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-new-zealand/413796/33 "2007-08-01T19:43:04Z")
[QUOTE=calm kiwi] Bring an umbrella! And always but always wear layers! The song “Four seasons in one day” was written by a Kiwi for a reason! [/QUOTE] Only, Neil Finn said recently he was referring to Melbourne … 😉 But yeah – be prepared for changeable weather. For sure. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2007, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-new-zealand/413796/34 "2007-08-01T19:49:45Z")
[QUOTE=Rilchiam] **Sunspace** : Could be that importing stuff to an island country necessarily drives prices up. [/QUOTE] Others may have more of an idea, but I theorise that it’s import and customs duties, plus our GST (Goods and Services Tax) at 12.5% that could be making the difference. Stuff gets imported to or made in Australia – we’re only just over the Ditch from them. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2007, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-new-zealand/413796/35 "2007-08-01T19:50:54Z")
_Do_ New Zealanders bundle tax into the sale price? ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2007, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-new-zealand/413796/36 "2007-08-01T19:54:40Z")
Yes. GST is always seen to be included in the price tag, by law, unless the dealer specifically excludes it. When I offer quotes to my clients, it’s such-and-such dollars _plus GST_. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2007, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-new-zealand/413796/37 "2007-08-01T19:59:45Z")
Maybe that explains most of the Canada-NZ differential in those computer prices then. Ignorance fought! Here in Canada taxes are never added onto the price. In Ontario, you get used to mentally adding 14 percent to everything (8% PST–provincial sales tax–and 6% GST). Is your GST a value-added tax like ours? ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2007, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-new-zealand/413796/38 "2007-08-01T20:06:28Z")
[QUOTE=dynamitedave] I do believe **NurseCarmen** is stirring 😃 [/QUOTE] Could I get a translation for stirring? I ask about the sailing, because I sail, and I’ve always wanted to visit NZ. I’m wondering if I ever get out there, if I should include sailing in my rounds. ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2007, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-new-zealand/413796/39 "2007-08-01T20:30:26Z")
[QUOTE=NurseCarmen] Could I get a translation for stirring? I ask about the sailing, because I sail, and I’ve always wanted to visit NZ. I’m wondering if I ever get out there, if I should include sailing in my rounds. [/QUOTE] Being a stirrer means being an agitator, a troublemaker, but it has different degrees of meaning. In this case – you’re being accused of having a playful dig at our expense, **NurseCarmen** , to get a reaction. 🙂 Yes, definitely see if you can take in a bout or two of sailing here in NZ if you do come down here. We’re still a maritime country in outlook, and Auckland’s nickname of “City of Sails” isn’t just for marketing purposes. We’d love to see you down here. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![bleach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bleach/32/3106_2.png) [@bleach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bleach)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2007, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-new-zealand/413796/40 "2007-08-01T20:40:30Z")
Do you know about [Move to NZ](http://move2nz.com/) or [the Yahoo group, Expats in New Zealand](http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Expats-in-New-Zealand/)? You may consider asking those helpful folks some of your questions. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-new-zealand/413796.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-new-zealand/413796.md?page=3)