UK rider looking to move to NZ

[jamie125sx]

Hi

I'm looking at moving to NZ this year, I'm just sorting out my EWBR licence ect at the moment. anyway I ride MX and SM here in the uk, not to any standard, but i enjoy it! I was wondering people's opinions on whether or not I should bring my bikes over with me, or sell them and buy more when I get there? Without any research so far, I have an idea that I'll be getting a container shipped over with all my stuff.

I have a 2003 KTM sx125 and a 2007 Husaberg 550fs, I think if I sell both of them here I would get about £3000, (maybe $5500-$6000)

I was also after some information on where about I should be looking at moving to, I've been given the choice of Auckland or Wellington, I'm into wakeboarding and snowboarding as well, a woman I spoke to said I should be looking at CHCH too?

any help would be appreciated,
thanks

[slofox]

Auckland might be best for wakeboarding, being further norf and with lots of water available but it's furthest from the snow.

Wellington is also close to the water but cooler. Closer to the snow.

Christchurch would be least favourable for wakeboarding but closest to the snow. Oh and it has a slight earthquake problem ongoing just now...

[unstuck]

Dunedin, colder,but you should be used to that, wakeboarding,snow, awesome bike riding.Lots of pretty young students Sell your bikes and buy some here. Good luck.

[baptist]

Auckland might be best for wakeboarding, being further norf and with lots of water available but it's furthest from the snow.

Wellington is also close to the water but cooler. Closer to the snow.

Christchurch would be least favourable for wakeboarding but closest to the snow. Oh and it has a slight earthquake problem ongoing just now...

Slight!!!!!! wow you must be a sales man

I live in Auckland and to be honest if I had my time over again (been here 13 years) I think I would have lived in a dozen different places I have seen in NZ before living here. But there is work here I guess. Why not look at central North Island as well, Bay of Plenty / Hawkes Bay on the coast or inland maybe Rotorua area good water not to far away and snow close by as well... dunno just a thought (Fishing is also good over here if you like that)

Anyway when you get here have a tiki tour to scope the place if you can.

[jamie125sx]

thanks for the replies...

I'm planning on coming over for 3 weeks, maybe August/September to do a bit of a reconnaissance mission. I'm kind of restricted by work really, the company I'm talking to have positions in Auckland and Wellington, so I'm planning a week in both cities and a week on the South Island for a bit of snowboarding.

[KiWiP]

Bring as much stuff across as you can. Fridges, freezers washing machines etc. GBP to NZD is so atrocious at the moment anything you sell in the UK will buy you sod all out here. Also don't give all your tools away thinking it will be easy to build up a workshop again

[Nzpure]

Go to the BOP close to the water couple of hours from the snow. Its warm and only a two ride/drive to dorkland. Trust me dude nothing worth note is beyond the mystical bombay hills except obviously work but you dont want to spend too much time up there. You might turn into a jaffa!

[GrayWolf]

Hi there,
I'm an ex pat so been through the moving stuff years ago...
We bought a car and bike over by container, ONLY as both were only just over a year old. Factor in the shipping costs for the bikes, and all insurance/handling/customs fees.. and there will be. Probably you'll find it cheaper and easier to buy here, even on arrival the bike has to be inspected and verified as legal for NZ roads, which MAY also incour parts replacement costs for lights, ancillaries etc.

I lived down the south island, fantastic biking roads, and 'best' overall for winter sports... I live in wellington now, and would give auckland a wide berth to live.....but thats personal perspective.

[kevfromcoro]

Bring as much stuff across as you can. Fridges, freezers washing machines etc. GBP to NZD is so atrocious at the moment anything you sell in the UK will buy you sod all out here. Also don't give all your tools away thinking it will be easy to build up a workshop again

Is it??
I thought the GBP was quite strong at the mo..
Things are getting cheaper everyday...... specially when the big stores have the sales
Not to sure about shipping stuff from th UK......
Perhaps , tools, and yr personal items.
Coments please????

[wasiler]

I am going through this exact situation right now. The only difference is I am coming from the U.S. I am just waiting for my work visa to clear and find a place to stay in Christchurch before I ship. What I have found is that it really depends on how long you plan to stay. I found that if you plan on living in N.Z. for an extended period of time, you don't need to pay import duties or some taxes (read link below). Also, look up the cost of a similar bike in N.Z. Quite a price difference for me.

I decided to ship my 07 yamaha because of many factors (shipping costs, no tax or duties, cost of a similar motorcycle in N.Z., and mods I have already done to the bike). Then you need to make sure your bike meets all N.Z. requirements during inspection. I think I am easily going to break even and maybe even come out ahead. You will need to do your homework on what works best for you.

I have not shipped my bike yet because I don't have a Christchurch address yet. Therefore, this might come back and bite me in the ass. Below are a couple links you might find helpful.

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicle/importing/index.html
http://www.customs.govt.nz/news/reso...Sheet%2029.pdf

[KiWiP]

Is it??
I thought the GBP was quite strong at the mo..

It is, and this is the problem for our new immigrant. When I came out 4 years ago exchange was about .33 it is now .52 eek. So 4 years ago you bring across 100GBP you get 303NZD today you only get 194NZD. If you sell your white goods in the UK you get shit all because they are so cheap to buy new anyway. You then have to buy here where new is considerably more than UK and 2nd hand is so expensive without a warrantee/guarantee to not be a worthwhile option. Shipping is quite cheap compared to buying goods again and the more you ship the cheaper per unit of stuff it gets.

When relocating it is a temptation to shove stuff into storage. If you do make a costed inventory of what you are storing and how much it's worth. It only takes a short amount of time for the storage rental to be more than the worth of the goods you're storing. plus you have to factor in van/man rental shipping to and from storage.

From my experience when I left the UK putting stuff into storage, selling it, transferring money etc It would have been cheaper to give it all away to charity. 20:20 hindsight eh!

[jamie125sx]

Neither of my bikes have been used on the roads, they have no documents or anything as they've never been registered. I don't know how that'd work for bringing them across, I guess they are more like normal possessions than vehicles? I live about a mile from the MX track so the KTM is the bike I use most often. The Husaberg is rarely used maybe 4 or 5 track days a year, so I'm thinking I'll probably sell it before I come out.

My plan is to stay for good, I'm trying to plan my trip to see as many places as possible, and check out estate agents ect and make sure I like it! although I've never been anywhere on holiday I haven't liked so I need to come out with a clear head!

[wasiler]

Neither of my bikes have been used on the roads, they have no documents or anything as they've never been registered. I don't know how that'd work for bringing them across, I guess they are more like normal possessions than vehicles? I live about a mile from the MX track so the KTM is the bike I use most often. The Husaberg is rarely used maybe 4 or 5 track days a year, so I'm thinking I'll probably sell it before I come out.

My plan is to stay for good, I'm trying to plan my trip to see as many places as possible, and check out estate agents ect and make sure I like it! although I've never been anywhere on holiday I haven't liked so I need to come out with a clear head!

I would think it would be a personal possessions but, don't know for sure. I have sent them emails and they have been pretty good at answering my questions. If I was you, I would send them an email to make sure and get to get it in writing. That way you are not sitting at some port with an officer giving you a hard time. Below is the email I used.
info@nzta.govt.nz

[Swoop]

There are several websites that will give you an idea on pricing of second-hand bikes. Try www.trademe.co.nz as a startpoint.

Rental housing prices have gone mental recently, so accomodation might be good to talk with your employer about, especially during the first stage of living here.

Auckland Vs Wellington is a tribal thing and many will speak of the benefits of each. Christchurch is recovering from Mother Nature being pissed off with the city and deciding to wipe the sheet clean.

[oneofsix]

There are several websites that will give you an idea on pricing of second-hand bikes. Try www.trademe.co.nz as a startpoint.

Rental housing prices have gone mental recently, so accomodation might be good to talk with your employer about, especially during the first stage of living here.

Auckland Vs Wellington is a tribal thing and many will speak of the benefits of each. Christchurch is recovering from Mother Nature being pissed off with the city and deciding to wipe the sheet clean.

Whilst on Trademe check out the rental prices. About that tribal thing referred to above, most of our media has an Auckland slant so when they say rental prices are high they generally mean Auckland, and statistical they are correct as a third or so of population are in that one place but you can find that Wellington hasn't risen as much. Also there is a rental crisis in Christchurch at the moment which also means the 'national' rental prices are high.

You can't bet Wellington on a good day, there just aren't that many of them. It rains every day in Auckland. Take your pick. Oh and one is over due for an earthquake although it is possible Christchurch got that and the other is over due for a volcano Extreme sport without leaving home.