A couple questions for the kiwis,

[Hollands]

gear is definately more expensive over here. If you have some quals, your in good stead, but experience is valued more than certificates. Its an awesome place to work as long as you are prepared to work hard. In fact I would say it is one of the few places left in the world where you can really be successful through sheer hard work. I've been here 9 years and I could'nt imagine working anywhere else.

[G00MER]

I'm on holiday in NZ at the moment and i'm amazed at how expensive climbing gear is. Anything made by Petzl is nearly double UK prices! I came here looking for where to live if i get a working visa to do some climbing, but now i'm thinking i'd be better off importing gear and starting a shop!

[atree]

Importing can be pricey to,def bring it with you.BUt when you start working you just gotta think $ not pounds

[Hollands]

Importing can be pricey to,def bring it with you.BUt when you start working you just gotta think $ not pounds

 

Got to agree with that mate. You dont come out for the money, but the lifestyle is spot on.

[LSD]

a couple more questions,

 

Do I need an international driving licence or can I drive onn a English one?

and what sort of gear /ppe is the larger company’s, (eg Asplundh’s,) standard issue, got my own type C stretches but thinking maybe I should bringing type As,not sure on the laws, and got my own boots, was wondering if I should bring my own vertex vent too?

 

Anyway thanks for all your help, only a couple of weeks left in sunny Suffolk and heading out there (in the middle of your winter)

[Treeson]

Come summer time you wont be wanting to wear your type A's in NZ, It can get so hot we were stripping off into shorts at lunch time and jumping in the river to cool off.

Not sure on the license thing as I've got the NZ license but will have to get it exchanged for U.K license pretty soon.

 

Gear seems expensive but you will get used to thinking in $ and not pounds.

why is it you pay a pound for a beer from the supermarket here and only pay 1 NZ $ for the same thing?

Last I heard the NZ dollar was sitting fairly high so you may find your pounds dont go as far as they used to.

NZ $1 = 0.48 p

 

Good luck and

 

"Sweet As Bro!!"

[LSD]

Cheers Bro!

To hot out here for type C’s at the mo, just have to save up for some A’s through winter, that’s if I get a job

[Taupotreeman]

You can drive on a UK licencse for a year I believe but then you will have to exchange for a NZ one. You should only have to take the theory part rather than the practical if you want a NZ licencse. The theory is a scratch test multiple choice thingy and they sell test booklets in most bookstores and gaarges to test yourself first. If you've passed the UK test the kiwi one will be no problems. We only have one dumb ass law here that's really different from the UK so you'll be sweet. As for your gear; I'd still bring what you can. Boots, trousers or pants as they are here. They generally use clogger chainsaw trousers unless you want to put some money towards a flasher pair of pants. I went straight through a pair with a MS200 a couple of years ago so I stick with stuff from the UK now. Don't make any plans to return home in a hurry either. Once you're here you probably won't want to go back.