You don't need to apply for any international driving license to drive in NZ. Your Malaysia license is valid for few months there. Pretty sure this has been discussed before earlier on this thread. Please search for it.

SIA and MAS if you want KL-Auckland direct. Yesterday saw Emirates at Matta fair got promotion KL-Auckland for RM3k like that, but I didn't enquire about the details.

Best budget option as mat sputnik has already mentioned is Jetstar.

Flight departs around 2pm from KLIA to Singapore, then transit few hours, leave for Auckland from Singapore around 7pm.
My dad just took Jetstar to Auckland from KL yesterday afternoon. He just called back this morning to tell us the flight was very good and everything went very well.
Oh and they don't charge for water unlike Airasia.

MAS/SIA usual price is around RM4k return. There are promotions going on sometimes, so it's best to look out for promotions and check out the prices. Matta fair just passed as well, there were quite a few good deals for flights.
Jetstar is still cheaper than MAS/SIA and the transit in Singapore airport isn't that long either.

If you want to go Aus first then go to NZ. You have to take into consideration other stuff like luggage check in and transit time all that too.
Jetstar will send your luggage directly to Auckland whereas if you transfer from AA to Jetstar you'll have to carry all your luggage out and check in again. Also, sometimes the flight may delay andden it may mess up your schedule.

I took AA to CHC last year, then Air NZ from CHC to AKL. Arrived CHC around midnight, earliest flight to AKL was around 5am. Had a terrible time waiting in the airport for the check in counters to open.

Also, you'll have to apply visa if you plan to fly into Australia first.

Yes, south got more things to see. If you notice, the last few posts talking about their trips, are all in the south island.
Main attractions in north is the city Auckland, up north Paihia, the lake Taupo and nearby Rotorua area. In conclusion, south island more activities, more scenery to see, but of course more colder too.

MAS and Jetstar fly to Auckland, AA don't fly to CHC anymore. Domestic flights you can check Air NZ or Jetstar, prices are quite reasonable.

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Added on June 8, 2012, 10:57 amMinimum income to get a work visa?
Cause if you're talking about getting a PR by investing in the country, it's no where near thousands of dollar.

Do also know that rental and taxes are higher there. Food cheaper and better quality, of course better benefits than what you are getting in our home country.
But places like government hospitals also have to make appointment in advance and wait few weeks to see doctor. Also it will be good if you're a handyman yourself, or else you'll be paying thru your nose for services like plumbing, electrician, painter and all that.

This post has been edited by munkeyflo: Jun 8 2012, 10:57 AM

True
It actually really depends on individual personality and adaptation though.
I personally known a few people who sold off everything here and moved to NZ but came back here in the end. My own family (except me) also migrated to NZ but they found a few friends there and is enjoying their retirement/social life there while my brother goes to school there.

I guess if you're migrating there for retirement, then it's all good. But going there to start a business and dream of being rich, might be an issue.

My dad got a electricity socket installed in the bathroom last week and cost him over NZ$200. Painting a wall can go up to thousand of dollars. Not like back home, pay a thousand ringgit and get a live in maid serving you day and night. It's a really different lifestyle over there. If you guys wanna migrate, better be prepared for it.

I haven't dropped into NZ thread for some time edi also. Haha. Haven't been there for almost a year already, probably outdated with the travel news there. Lol.

Yup, 5 minutes they charge you per hour rate or something like that! My parents also kena few times edi when they first went there. Haha.
Electricity bill will kill you too especially during winter and if you on the heater 24/7. Oh and if you live in a house with a garden outside, you'll have to cut the grass every 1-2 weeks during the summer, if it gets too long, you may get a warning.

For job, mostly you'll need to get their local experience first. One of my family friend was holding a high executive post, went over there and the only job she could find was office girl - photostating documents in the office, now she ended up working as property agent go on either basic or commission salary. Taxes is like that la. Put money in FD and bonds, tax almost 10% (if not mistaken) on the interest earned.

Good for your cousin. My family's neighbour quite lansi type wan, he's a landscaper and often complain about our grass. lol. When my family is back in Malaysia in December, he does offer to cut our grass for quite a fee. No choice have to let him cut also.

Ahhh, must have remembered wrongly.
But yea, I remember the kids trust fund interests getting taxed. Guess the government needs money too.

Yes, more tourists will head to the South.
Winter time means less daylight travelling hours and also less tourists. Weather can be really cold and snowing too in the south island, depending on where you'll go. July seems to be the coldest month. Practically everything is close at night. By 8pm, hardly see any cars in Auckland city already.
For 7 days, I think its best you just travel around South island. Don't think you can push in enough time for sightseeing in Auckland unless you cut short your days in South island.

Try checking Singapore Airlines or Silk Air for KL-CHC transit at Singapore. Or you can fly MAS to Auckland andden take domestic flight to CHC. Jetstar can offer one of the cheapest flights from KL-Auckland but you'll also have to transit in Singapore.

Auckland hit by deadly tornado this morning in Hobsonville. My dad suppose to fly back to KL today but all flights delay.

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/deadly-auc...s-homes-5267375

Driving in NZ is actually very stressful.
When we were driving in Europe, the car rental agency adviced us to put big big sign TOURIST at the back window. This really helped a lot with rude drivers and some even honk and wave at us, dunno they were being friendly or teasing us lol. Car rental might not mean tourists.

Pretty sure all NZ immigration stuffs has to be done in Singapore, even renewing the PR. Try checking their immigration website or call up Singapore branch.

Return ticket KL-Auckland transit in Singapore by Jetstar @ RM2573.00
Gonna be in Auckland from 16th April to 21st May, spending 1 week or so in south island.

Some will wind down window and scold you foul words plus the middle finger sign too. They are very impatient.
Also one thing those who wanna drive in NZ should know is that once you signal means you wanna come out. In KL, we can signal for 5 minutes and nobody will give way to us. But over there once you signal means you are cutting into their lane. And if you see the car behind is moving very fast and you signal, you still have to go out, cannot wait or scared dowan to go out. Or else the car pass you by that time sure you will kena scolding edi.

The other thing is roundabout, if you are going 9 oclock or 12 oclock, keep on the left lane and signal left when you exit the roundabout. If you're going 3 oclock, you must keep on the right lane and signal right then left when you exit.

There is buses and trains.
One of the more popular bus - http://nakedbus.com/nz/bus/

Prepare at least at least minimum NZD10 for each meal per person if you're eating outside in Auckland.
Otherwise, buy grocery and cook yourself will be much cheaper.

Alternatively, if you don't mind eating Burger King everyday, then you can use their coupon (changes every month or so) for pretty good deals.
E.g. June coupon - http://www.burgerking.co.nz/pdf/BUR0993%20...pon_website.pdf

Most airlines fly to Auckland. You'll have to take domestic flights. Direct flights not many choices.

One quarter of the whole NZ population is concentrated in Auckland.
Auckland is nothing more than a large city center and port, the usual skyscrapers, museum domain and harbour place, can pay a visit to Devonport while you're there. You can travel to Rotorua and Taupo from there, or up north to Paihia. North island nothing much compared to South island.

December is summer la bro.
Winter months is June - August with usually July being the coldest month. Snowing areas will be in South island.

For flights, anything below 2k is consider very good price already. MAS non-promo price is around 5k return. NZ is not a cheap country to travel to.

There will be snow cap mountains, south island is the place to go - Mt Cook should have.

I would say depends.
I've spoken to some Chinese that only have basic command of English. While there are also those that have been there for a long time and speak like a kiwi.

There are lots of Chinese shops around selling imported Chinese food stuff and sorts.