It doesn't strictly have to be in one bag, but it sure makes life a heck of a lot easier than anyone. As long as you declare EVERYTHING food-related, you'll be safe. The worse they'll do is chuck it (which they won't if it's on the approved list). But if you don't declare, even if it's an allowed product, they might fine you $200 on the spot. For serious offences it's $10,000.

That's already been answered previously in this thread. Go and search lah.

Haya,
Chinese lessons are fine... provided they speak English as well. Like if I live here in the future and have kids, I will send them for Chinese lessons. But speaking English won't be a problem for them...

Anyway, yes I agree. Chinese, Koreans etc should really go out and learn English if they want to live here. I think it's disgraceful that some people have lived here for 15+ years and can barely string a sentence of English together. One of these people is my friend's mother - and she's Malaysian.

But I am against Kiwis who swear at people and yell at them just because they're speaking their native tongue to each other. If I'm talking to another Chinese, I can damm well speak Chinese to them. I won't do it if there's a non-Chinese speaker in the group cos that is plain rude (another gripe) but I don't see why I have to accommodate total strangers on the road who happen to walk by and hear us talking.

Huix,
Yes, Auckland house prices are sky-high (though sliding a little these days). Welly's ok but the pay isn't necessarily higher. It's very very very windy, even a hot summer's day can be quite cold thanks to the wind. I've never been there in winter but I bet it's worse. Definitely colder than Auckland.

I personally found Welly to be a pretty drab, depressing city. That's just me, there're others who love it.

Try the South Island if you want cheap.

You're welcome. Don't get me wrong... It isn't that bad. Like I said, many people love it. I think a lot of people pick Auckland simply because it's the biggest city so there's a bigger job market and greater ethnic diversity (though there's no lack of Malaysian food in Wellington ).

Houses and rent are definitely cheaper in Wellington. As for the pay - since you've done the research, I'll take your word for it. I can't say I've done any comprehensive research, and my knowledge is limited to general observations of my field (law) and general fields.

I'll say - go wherever you can find a job.

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Added on February 1, 2008, 5:28 pmAs for Chinese taking Chinese as a subject - it's a relatively common phenomenon. Who won't want a free A+? The unis are supposed to regulate against that. At least mine did - if you were educated in a Chinese language environment, you're barred from taking Chinese. But it's hard to enforce... too many loopholes. For example, Malaysians aren't typically considered to be Chinese educated (they don't check primary school records). Another tricky group is people from Hong Kong - they read and write but speak Cantonese instead of Mandarin. They can easily claim that their aim is to learn Mandarin. And then there's the Chinese who grew up here, speak Mandarin fluently but are barely literate.

The uni can't bar ALL people of Chinese ethnicity from taking the subject...

This post has been edited by wornbook: Feb 1 2008, 05:28 PM

Please don't regret just because of what I said. Be happy and have confidence in your own decision. Everyone is different after all. Have a great time in Vic.

As tip - when you send in your CV, just put 'NZ Permanent Resident' on it. Just so they don't get confused and put your application in the 'discard' pile cos it's too much of a bother.

Well, it's not fair to other students who have to work for whatever grades they get. Remember that these free A+s affect the final grade average/GPA. Also, sometimes averages also count for admission to limited entry courses or honours programmes. So it basically amounts to cheating.

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Added on February 2, 2008, 3:56 pmHe's not coming as a student so why would he bother with the lowly paid and low skilled jobs on SJS?

Btw Huix, have you thought of trying recruitment agencies?

This post has been edited by wornbook: Feb 2 2008, 03:56 PM

Not necessarily. Even if they are, it does not justify swearing at them (after all, speaking English way too loudly is just as annoying). Some people are just bigots.

I really meant contacting recruitment agencies so they can help you find a job. But no matter.

All the best with securing that job. From what I understand, transferring from one country to another within the same company is much better than starting afresh. At least you'll generally be at the same level if not a higher one. Many people who start afresh have had to downgrade. At least, that has been the experience of people I know.

They're used to it. By the end of the year you will be too.

Funny to hear you guys talk about the cold. It's blazing hot over here in Auckland.

If it makes you feel better, it's raining today. Not cold though.

But I suspect that's relative. I did spend 4 years in Dunedin after all.

I used ihug about 3 years ago. Not sure if I can help.

Btw, ihug is being absorbed into Vodafone this year.

Yeah I know about Vodafone. The ihug label/brand is going to disappear this year. Vodafone will take over.

I didn't quite like my experience with ihug. Found the speed very slow and it got 'clogged up' quite often. The idea sounds good though.

Why are you interested?

Like Haya said, most houses are not insulated especially the older ones. The newer 'insulated' ones aren't much better - just some insulation around the outer walls (fat lot of good that does considering the number of windows they have) and roof. Most windows aren't double-glazed as well so lots of heat escapes that way.

How much would it cost to insulate? A LOT, cos it entails ripping out walls and roofs. This is in a country where even changing a tap is expensive.

Btw, central heating is very uncommon in NZ. They're pretty backward in the heating and stay-warm department. Lots of people from colder climates in Europe/North America have complained that they've never felt so cold indoors in their lives.

Another thing to watch out for is damp. Very common and troublesome in winter, especially in the older houses. A dehumidifier generally takes care of that problem. Or you could always get a heat-pump (expensive) which effectively heats up the place and keeps it dry.


There's Pink Batts which does both the heat and sound insulation job. Their tagline is "warm, dry, quiet".

Yes, moisturizer and lip balm are essential. Change your facial wash. Use something that does not dry the skin.

[quote=huix,Mar 12 2008, 11:35 PM]
There's Pink Batts which does both the heat and sound insulation job. Their tagline is "warm, dry, quiet".

[/quote]
Duh! Seems like NZ taxes. houses and insulation cost are crazy inbalance.... Even earn 6000 per month... 1500 go to income tax.... 10% housing loan... 300k - 400k per house.....living expenses.... that explain why not much ppl has $$$ to insulate the house lol May be it is time to learn some housework how to insulate heat b4 going there.

[/quote]
At least you see the benefits of your tax here. It doesn't go to fill the pockets of Kiwi-putras.

If you're worried, how about contacting IPC directly. Surely they'll be able to tell you whether your have a guaranteed place on scholarship. If the College says yes, you're all set.

Not so much halal food outside. Mainly some turkish/middle eastern stuff. Most Malaysian food is not halal cos the places are owned/run by Chinese and Indians. There are a few halal ones but there's limited choice. I'm speaking for Auckland here, not sure how things are like in Palmy.

Perencah - if you intend to do cooking, bring some along. While NZ customs laws are strict, most of perencah will get through. I've said it before, as a rule of thumb, if you avoid bringing in meat, dairy products, fresh fruits and vegetables, you'll be fine.

Clothes - there's very limited choice in NZ and it's definitely not cheap. I recommend that you bring clothes from Malaysia. The only things you should buy here are warm clothing. Since you're coming in April, just bring a couple of sweaters and a jacket and you should be fine. Btw those sports windbreakers etc don't count as jackets but they are useful if waterproof.

Don't need to bring stuff like biscuits lah. Plenty over here.

It doesn't normally snow in Palmy or anywhere in the North Island (apart from the mountains).

There's quite a few Malay students in NZ... mostly on MARA or JPA scholarships. There's also a few Malay migrant families around.

Speaking from experience, it's not just perencah that you can bring in. If you know what you're doing, there's plenty of food that they customs will let through.

What is dadih?

Ah right, if it's only made of creamer, jelly powder and water, it's not on the banned list and the customs will let it through. It wasn't a mistake or anything like that.

Like I said earlier, they allow lots of food into NZ. You just need to watch out for certain blacklisted stuff. The strict no-food through customs is a myth. I've brought all sorts of stuff in - fresh roti canai, satay kauh, Chinese New Year cookies, fresh pau (no meat), mooncake (no egg), fresh asam laksa noodles, and even fresh fish (but must be sea water) and fish ball.

Just declare everything and you'll be fine. Take my word for it.

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Added on March 19, 2008, 6:43 am
RUGBY pleas, not American football. Kiwis think American football is a game for wimps since they have all that protective padding and helmets.

The Super 14 (professional league across 3 countries - NA, Aus, S. Africa) has already started. When that ends, there's the NPC which is a local provincial tournament.

Aside from that, there's also rugby league. It's a sport very similar to rugby but with some different rules. NZ's Vodafone Warriors play in Australia's NRL.



This post has been edited by wornbook: Mar 19 2008, 06:43 AM

Don't forget besides income taxes, there's the Goods and Services Tax (GST) which is 12.5% and land rates to city councils.

Public transport was expensive in Auckland and still is. But starting this year, tertiary students get 50% of the normal cost (but it's still inefficient and inconvenient). Not sure how it works in other cities.

Healthcare is still pricey here unless you fall into certain categories. It's too complicated to explain over here. But they have introduced further subsidies since I've been here. There's also the problem of long waiting lists but that can't be avoided.

A lot of the tax dollars are spent/wasted on education. I really don't see the point of putting students through university for cheap and giving them an allowance (only to certain income groups) when they really shouldn't be in university in the first place. It's too each to get a student loan here so there are people who take years and years to graduate - perpetual students.

Unemployment benefits are a good thing but as usual, they're abused. Then again, that's always going to be a problem.

But I like things like a clean (mostly) efficient civil service, good public libraries, clean public toilets, benefits and provisions for the disabled, a compensation scheme for people injured in accidents, street lights that work, well-maintained roads, schools with generally good facilities (sports fields, theatre, recording studios etc).

The system isn't perfect but I won't call it a 'waste'. Unlike in Malaysia where my parents paid tax for years and years but still had to finance our healthcare and higher education privately.