Got an interview in Christchurch

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 22nd February 2009, 22:19

Originally Posted by 3umph

we have them as well....

only just

**puddytat** · 22nd February 2009, 22:41

Theres awesome riding all around the peninsular,commonly known as the Akaroa GP,plus as Kickaha said, theres Ruapuna racetrack near Chch & Levels near Timaru....2 of N.Z's best tracks.

Its just an hour or 2's ride over to the West Coast on some of N.Z's primo bike roads & in fact its a great area in general apart from the odd boring straight bit in Canterbury....which in an hour or two brings you to Biker Nirvana....in any direction.

**MaxB** · 23rd February 2009, 00:31

AFAIK the UK to NZ full licence change is the multiple choice scratch and win card from the local AA centre. You can buy examples of the questions from the website.

As for costs bike rego (your road tax) is $267 p.a. per bike. A W.O.F. (your MOT check) costs about $40 every 6 months. Insurance is not compulsory.

One thing you may notice is that most bikes here are bigger bikes unlike the UK. Have a look at the dealer websites. It does not cost much more to run a GSXR1000 than the 600. The exception is where the bike itself is interesting eg BMW F650, KTM 690, Daytona 675 etc. $20K would get you a blade or gixer 1000.

As for vehicles I would be tempted to buy here. Unless you car is powerful and European (and not a diesel). At a car yard in Auckland yesterday I saw a spotless Legacy B4 and a Ford Falcon for $10k cash. That is 250hp in a family car.

When you come down for the interview why not hire a couple of bikes and go on a tiki tour? Then you can find out what the fuss is about.

**lv929** · 23rd February 2009, 02:22

Originally Posted by MaxB

AFAIK the UK to NZ full licence change is the multiple choice scratch and win card from the local AA centre. You can buy examples of the questions from the website.

As for costs bike rego (your road tax) is $267 p.a. per bike. A W.O.F. (your MOT check) costs about $40 every 6 months. Insurance is not compulsory.

One thing you may notice is that most bikes here are bigger bikes unlike the UK. Have a look at the dealer websites. It does not cost much more to run a GSXR1000 than the 600. The exception is where the bike itself is interesting eg BMW F650, KTM 690, Daytona 675 etc. $20K would get you a blade or gixer 1000.

As for vehicles I would be tempted to buy here. Unless you car is powerful and European (and not a diesel). At a car yard in Auckland yesterday I saw a spotless Legacy B4 and a Ford Falcon for $10k cash. That is 250hp in a family car.

When you come down for the interview why not hire a couple of bikes and go on a tiki tour? Then you can find out what the fuss is about.

thankyou for the helpful comments!! The car is a BMW 330d so I guess tis not worth bringing....anyway, I did some digging around and found my dream car costs quite a bit less than it would cost me in the UK....

not sure we'll have time to get a ride in, but there's a VFR shop in Christchurch that hires bikes out, I remember from my previous attempts to organsie a trip here, so maybe we should factor that in..

EDIT: Ps how does the non-compulsory insurance work?? It's a MAJOR crime in the UK not to be insured.....

**Warr** · 23rd February 2009, 03:39

Originally Posted by lv929

.............
EDIT: Ps how does the non-compulsory insurance work?? It's a MAJOR crime in the UK not to be insured.....

The yearly "Registration" contains with an ACC levee that covers Personal injury insurance.
NOT property or vehicle insurance (3rd party).
Hence if you damage someones vehicle and have no insurance and are liable, you pay
... perhaps for some time if it was something expensive.
3rd party insurance is easy and affordable but sadly alot of people take the risk.
There is sometimes talk of this becoming compulsory.. bring it on is all I can say.

As for what to bring and what not, If your GSXR1000 is all tricked up, why not just bring the trick bits.
I'm pretty sure there is no GST payable on used bike parts.
This website is widely used in NZ and a good place to compare prices
http://www.trademe.co.nz
All the best for the interview & u'r travels

**portokiwi** · 23rd February 2009, 06:53

http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/factsheets/56.html
This is what you need to know.
Questions and answers
What happens if I don't apply for a New Zealand driver licence?
If you do not apply for a New Zealand driver licence within one year of arriving, you'll be considered unlicensed and you must not drive. You could be charged by the Police if you are caught driving and you may not be able to get car insurance.

If you are unlicensed, are told by the Police not to drive and are then caught driving by the Police, the vehicle you are driving will be seized at the roadside and impounded for 28 days.

Do I have to sit any tests?
All drivers must know the road rules, what the road signs mean and how to drive safely. Learning the road rules is particularly important because of New Zealand's unique Give Way rule (when you are turning left, you must give way to vehicles that are coming from the opposite direction and turning right). You can find out more about this rule and others in The official New Zealand road code.

Some countries require similar driving skills and have similar licensing systems to New Zealand's. Depending on the country you have come from and the class of licence you are converting, you may not have to sit theory and/or practical tests. Other countries may have driver licensing systems that are very different from New Zealand's. People from these countries do have to sit both theory and practical tests.

Theory test?
You do not have to sit the theory test if:

you have a licence from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom or the United States of America, and
your licence is current (or has expired less than 12 months), and
you are converting a car or a motorcycle licence.
You do have to sit a theory test if:

you have a licence from a country not listed above; or
you are converting a heavy vehicle licence from any country.
Practical test
You do not have to sit the practical test if:

you have a licence from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom or the United States of America, and
your licence is current (or has expired less than 12 months), and
you have held that licence for more than two years.
You do have to sit the practical test if:

you have a licence from a country not listed above, or
you have a licence from a country which is listed above but you have held that licence for less than two years.

Its quite good My wife is from Portugal she changed to a New Zealand one paid I think $64.00 and that was it.
No tests at all.

**BM-GS** · 23rd February 2009, 07:10

UK lics good for 12 months from first entry - if you came here before it'll be 12 months from then. People have ben pulled for this, unexpected & not nice. You need to do tests for car & bike, but only the multiple-guess theory, no practical. Any AA shop will do it. For a fee...

Chch has lots of flat & boring, but twisties out towards Akaroa. Not the safest, mind. Also stunning roads across the Southern Alps only 1hr away.

Bring the bikes. You have them, if they fit in the container they're effectively free to ship. You'll need to de-register them in the UK & re-register them here. Also ship each vehicle as a seperate consignment in the container or delay & aggro will be your daily companions. Your shiper should know this, but mine (Pickfords) didnt. Copy all vehicle docs in case of SNAFU and call the local agents a week before it arrives to confirm all is well and give yourself a week to un-fuck it all before delay & aggro appear. Bikes will need a WoF (MOT) and the first one will be a bit more detailed as VINs need recording, etc. Clean them well, as NZ Customs & MAF hot on dirt/seeds/bugs.

Vehicles free from GST on import if owned by you for 12 months or more before date of entry (not ship from UK date) when I shipped in 03. Dunno about now, best check (sorry, didn't follow yr link, in a rush).

**portokiwi** · 23rd February 2009, 07:20

[QUOTE=BM-GS;1948596]UK lics good for 12 months from first entry - if you came here before it'll be 12 months from then. People have ben pulled for this, unexpected & not nice. You need to do tests for car & bike, but only the multiple-guess theory, no practical. Any AA shop will do it. For a fee...

That Changed Aug last year. Now you just pay get a temp licence till your new one arrives in the mail.
Yes this is done at AA.
You still keep your UK licence.

**426crasher** · 26th February 2009, 18:58

I made the big move about 6 years ago and have never regreted it once. Nearly all roads in the south island are blessed with one great feature beautiful scenery each side. I brought my blade over with me. You will have to get a permanent export document from your local vehicle licensing office. Once here your bike will to be checked for compliance so it will have to have things like standard indicators etc. I had to put my standard pipe back on aswell. Once you have compliance you go to the AA and register it then go for a ride! There are plenty of nice areas to live around CHCH. No problem with giving us a yell when your here. The exchange rate is probably a bit more like 2.65 to the pommie pound which makes a big difference if you have 100k to exchange.

Cheers Tony.

**triple-bee** · 27th February 2009, 14:15

Hello guys/girls

My names Neil and i,m Jans (lv929,s) other half thanks for all the helpfull info i,m kinda hoping she gets the job as it just seems like a really nice place to live

if any one in christchurch wants to say hello and have a beer on me let me know

Cheers Neil

**SDU** · 27th February 2009, 14:38

Originally Posted by triple-bee

Hello guys/girls

My names Neil and i,m Jans (lv929,s) other half thanks for all the helpfull info i,m kinda hoping she gets the job as it just seems like a really nice place to live

if any one in christchurch wants to say hello and have a beer on me let me know

Cheers Neil

Start a thread in meetings & events, to meet the locals with a night when you are free for drinks & pick a bar handy to where you are. You never know how many you'll get turn up.
It's a varied but good bunch here

There is a rat group here too! (other half is one)
http://www.streetandsport.co.nz/

**cheshirecat** · 28th February 2009, 08:25

Originally Posted by lv929

OK good

we'll come then

if I get the job of course

12 months for a licence and then I had to take a 'theory' test which involved ticking a multichoice. A friend got mainly trailer questions for her's so be careful on what is swated up.

Good luck

**triple-bee** · 1st March 2009, 05:07

Hello all,

Just a quick question i have just started looking for a job for myself, just in case the wife gets it and was wondering what kind of money i should be looking for i mean what is a good average wage in NZ. I,m involved in heavy plant machines dozers, excavators ect and most of my work is on the railways wich is very well paid in the UK.

I,m not going to be the main wage earner as my misses has a very good job (here and there if she gets it) when i,m not on the railways i drive a cab as we have 3 of our own that we rent out.

Any info greatly appreciated, beer still on me when we are there

cheers Neil

That rat group looks promising as will prob bring me speed trip

**Bikernereid** · 2nd March 2009, 10:58

Originally Posted by lv929

Hi

We are from the UK and I posted here once or twice a while back when I was planning a bike trip in NZ. The holiday didn't come off, but you were all very helpful and friendly.

SO I thought, why not ask for opinions again, now I may actually be MOVING to NZ

Much to my surprise I have reached the final interview stage for a job I really want, and the company is flying me and my husband-to-be out from the UK in 4 weeks for the interview, and so we can find our feet if I get the job.

Please may I ask some basic questions:

If we live there how long (in terms of years?)can we use our UK driving licences for? Is there an easy transfer to the NZ licence? Would we need to do it?

Do you have any bhp restrictions on bikes like France and some parts of the USA?

Should we think about bringing our bikes with us (we have 4 between us), or buying over there. E.g. I have a tuned up gsxr1000 with full system, and don't want to be attracting unwelcome attention on the road from the

;-) if its not appropriate

Where is the nearest track to Christchurch? Can you point me in the direction of track day regulations? I used to race in the UK and would love to at least get on track sometimes.

And finally: if, just if, we should be so lucky, I might get back to you for advice on places to live round Christchurch: we have a reasonable sized house to sell in the UK and want a bit of garden/space as we'll be bringing our 3 dogs

Thanks for your comments

I have just moved here from the UK and I can tell you that you can use your UK license for up to 1 year but if you want to keep using it you have to leave the country before the year is up. I am driving on my UK license at the mo but as I am getting my bike licence here I will need to pay the $40 ish to convert my UK license to an NZ one.

As for Christchurch it looks like a nice city. I am moving there next week for work. If you want any advice or have any questions once I am there just feel free to pm me and I will try and help out or let you know what I have found out.

I know that there is a track near Christchurch and we will be hitting it asap. We have heard there are some amazing roads down there. As soon as we have explored the roads we will let you know where is good.

Good luck, Lily