New Zealand Backpackers

Hi FishRockette

Yeah petrol is expensive but still not to bad compared to Europe. E.g. Ireland is €1.20 per litre or NZ$2.40. It’s all down to small demand within a small country and the fact we are miles from anywhere else. That’s a good thing considering the way the world is at the moment. Four years ago I was paying NZ0.48c for a litre of Diesel in New Zealand. Thank You Mr Bin Larden.

Cars: As for cars I’ve always stuck with Toyota’s and Nissan’s and never had any problems. Stay away from European cars in NZ as getting parts in from Europe is expensive. When buying a cheap hack, rev the crap out of it see if its blowing smoke etc, a little smoke for an old car is ok. Check that the oil is clean. If it’s creamy colour or sludge, turn around and run away from it. Listen for any funny noises from the motor. And make sure the car has not been warmed up before you arrive. Start it when the engines cold. A good govt site is www.ltsa.govt.nz/vehicle-ownership/buying.html for other information.

Gear Changing: Stick shifts are called manuals in NZ and automatics are automatics. Its funny I don’t know any one that has an automatic. One other thing is that we drive on the left hand side. So after you practice in the States you will have to swap hands when you get to NZ.

There is more info on insurance etc on this site at www.newzealandbackpackers.co.nz/advice/n...-advice/driving.html

Hitchhiking: I know its sexist but a girl shouldn’t go hitching on her own. NZ is safe country but you still need to be careful. It’s happened before and it’ll happen again.

Internet: Most NZ house holds use ADSL which is hard wired. Many house holds will have wireless within them and Wi Fi hot spots are in major cities. NZ has two cell phone companies Telecom.co.nz and Vodafone.co.nz Both have mobile internet services. I don’t use them so not sure on pricing. I would recommend Vodafone if you go down that route.

Mac: I am truly sorry about that. I suggest rehab and therapy ASAP.

Movies: Movie releases are often seen first in NZ because of the date line. TV yes American programmes can be a season late. NZers like British comedy and TV programming reflects that. My advice is when you are going to one of the most breath taking countries in the world. Forget the TV and go experience it.

Hahaha, I love that you blame him and not Bush! Because everyone here blames Bush, which I think is way extreme, but that's an unpopular opinion here so I tend to just keep my mouth shut anymore. I'm sick of people flying off the handle at me! Americans can be so uptight! And I can say that because I am one!

It's funny, Nissans, over here, crap. But Toyota is okay, though I don't know anyone personally with one! We tend to like our Honda's, Fords, and Jeeps where I am! And then all the idiots drive Hummers, they should require a special license or something, it's a weekly occurrence for me to almost get run over by one! Hate em w/a passion! At least they get theirs at the gas pump!

Okay that is NOT going to be fun switching hands for me! I'm right handed, and my left hand hates me! Hmm, that will be a challenge, I suppose it's completely flipped though right? Like if first gear was on the top left here, which I THINK it is, it would be on the top right of the stick there correct? We call them stick shifts and manuals here! Pretty interchangeable!

Honestly that is the main reason I don't wanna hitchhike, because I am a girl, and we get taken advantage of! Not looking forward to buying a car either! It's horrible buying a car here in the US if you don't have a guy with you!

I think I have a port for ADSL, should look into that....

No you need rehab! Trust me I hated on Macs too, then I got one. I will NEVER go back! They just work! No blue screens of death! And I've been playing with computers for 18+ years! I could type before I could write!

Nifty, I was under the impression movies didn't come out in NZ until 2+ weeks everywhere else! I wish more NZ movies came here, I can't tell you how much I loved Black Sheep!

I can't give up ALL my TV! No matter how pretty! I'll need some electronic downtime! I think I'll have my friends record it on DVD for me and mail it! I have to keep up with a few like Lost, Grey's Anatomy, The Office! (I'd die w/o this one), the rest..... I suppose I can let them slide for a year!

Is clothing expensive in NZ? I would really prefer holding off buying a coat until I got there for room, and the benefit of trying it on, Florida is just too warm and mild for me to find the right kind of jacket here! Plus I'm really tall so nothing fits me like it should and I always really need to try it on! I want some leather boots too.... I bet those are expensive, no? I have my clothing down to a real minimum right now. About 8 Threadless tees, because they fold really small, some jeans, hiking pants, cargo/bermuda shorts (these also pack really small), and some layer shirts and hiking socks. Also a pair of Chucks (all-stars), Nikes, and hiking shoes. I thought I'd pick up stuff like sweaters and whatnot there. It all fits in a small duffel currently....

Another word of advice is that Americans pronounce Nissans (Knee sans) in NZ we pronounce it (Nuss sans) Subaru is another one US (sueb-aroo) NZ (sue-baroo). Point less I know.

When buy a car without a guy take it to the AA, It’s like the US AAA they do comprehensive vehicle checks, worth the money. Often just mentioning that you are taking a car to the AA inspires the seller to come clean about certain things.
One other thing is if buying a car in Auckland watch out for rust. Auckland is surrounded by the sea and cars a prone to rust up there. Cars in Christchurch on the other hand weather better with no sea air and a lot less rain fall. Also take a magnet and place it around wheel arches etc if the magnet falls off that area is full of filler, called bog in NZ.

TV: The Office. Have you ever seen the english version of the office. Much much better than the American one.

ADSL: The MAC you have wont have an ADSL port as such it more than likely has a RJ45 port for Ethernet. That then will connect to either another on a ADSL router or a LAN’s Hub or Switch.

Clothing: I’m a male, as if I’d know. My wife looks after me in that dept. There is a chain of stores called “The Warehouse” that sell almost every thing cheap. It’s mostly China imported rubbish. They sell allsorts of thing useful things for a backpacker. From tents to car batteries. Almost all the stores are coloured red and are located in most towns in NZ.
Ask around at the hostels if there are any outlet stores like “Dress Smart” they sell high quality seconds Like CCC “Canterbury Clothing Company”, Sheep Skin Ugh Boots. It’s the same anywhere shop in stores around the central city and pay twice as much. But most importantly ask a local girl. Kiwi men out side the cities wear shorts and tee-shirts, Drink beer and hunt wild pigs. I know I was used to be one of them.

You're right about the Nissan pronunciation, but everyone I've ever met that I've heard say Subaru, says it like you guys pronounce it! Never heard it the other way!

The AA thing sounds smart, def. something I'll do. Magnets too! I would think that would be really noticeable though! Ya'll must do a good job! I'll be landing in Auckland, not sure which Island I'll spend the most time on though... I've heard it's expensive to transport the car across, should I do a 6mo North Island, then 6mo on the South? Buy a car on each? On the map they look so close I'd think there'd be a bridge! Guess not!

I have seen the British version yes, but it was horribly short! Though the Christmas special, which I've only seen 10+ times was AMAZING! I did enjoy them messing with Gareth! Still I really like our Office, in the long run it's just as good! Especially this season which was cut horribly short due to our writers strike! Now that the strike is over I'm so excited because they're going to get 6 more episodes out!

Okay I have the RJ-45 port, see I'm so wireless I don't even know! I think I used it once, when we were at Disney.... So I'll be okay with that? Or will I need to buy something here or there to make it work? Why aren't things more universal? Like power outlets and batteries! You would think by now we'd all have batteries narrowed down to one type for common things! All AAA's or all AA's, none of this different sizes! Some progress!

Oooooh, outlet stores and seconds are my friends! We get along quite well! Local girl, check! Personally I think the beer drinking and boar hunting sounds fun! Can't wait until I get there!