Moving to NZ - Hello everyone!

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chloesgoingplaces

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#317525 23-Oct-2024 19:08

Hi all, making a move to Wellington soon with my family and popping by to learn more about NZ beforehand!

Love nature, hiking, and food, and also can't resist a good deal.

Any recommendations on other forums i should follow?

PeterReader

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#3300641 23-Oct-2024 19:08

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RunningMan

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#3300646 23-Oct-2024 19:15

Welcome

Wakrak

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#3300678 23-Oct-2024 19:44

In terms of deals: cheapies.nz

heavenlywild

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#3300753 23-Oct-2024 22:46

Welcome to Geekzone and NZ!

antoniosk

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#3300772 24-Oct-2024 03:48

You’re coming at an interesting time, so be prepared for a few eye openers.

The central city is going through one of its regular 20yr existential crisis so it will feel a little off. Many retail shops are empty awaiting leases or new leases to begin, there is an explosion of critical infrastructure work - leaking water pipe repair - cycle lanes being retrofitted to existing roads, meaning road cones everywhere, reconstruction of some civic buildings and so on. It means there’s a lot of bizarre road layouts and slow traffic as a consequence, and it’s a conversation topic among city dwellers etc.

The biggest impact has been the reduction in public sector workforce and is concentrated on Wellington, combined with some ridiculous local politics that seem to dominate the conversation with the irrelevant. Depending on where you’re coming from it could appear quaint or terrible, but just be aware it’s happening. Like many cities there is also a fair share of homeless folk, petty annoying theft and anti social behaviour, and a few yellers on the streets.

For information websites;

Neighbourly website and app is ok ( a little like Nextdoor in other countries)

There’s a few groups on Facebook - WellingtonNZ etc. many ILoveSuburb ones. Vic Deals is popular but it attracts all the bottom feeders too

Depending on inclination there are plenty of thrift shops around the city - Salvation Army, Vinnies - and the Tip Shop (at the southern landfill) can be a surprising source of cheap recycled things if you can get to it and are handy with a paint brush and cleaning products.

You will miss out on a lot of local opportunities if you don’t have a vehicle - even the most ardent public transport advocate will struggle. It is possible to rent a vehicle by the hour (Mevo is one brand, but it can add up fast) - a little judicious planning can go a long way though.

Google maps is your friend for local retail, Yelp isn’t really widely used here, Uber is uncontested (no lyft sadly).

The Wellington city council website - Wcc.govt.nz - hosts a lot of good information on what is going on, and it’s cruise ship season meaning a lot of day trippers in town. Over January there are free daily events in the Botanical gardens, and the pop up Public library in town is a gathering place for useful information etc.

________

Antoniosk