anyone ever been to new zealand?

stesmith · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 01 May 2009 Karma :

alright guys,

i start my teachin degree in sept for 3 years and then i plan to move abroad. I was thinking about new zealand, as it seems like a great place to live...

was just wondering if anybody has been and could tell me what the roads are like for riding?

If they're bad i wont go simple as!!
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Flip · Super Spammer Joined: 28 Feb 2004 Karma :

https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/ That any use to you? (I've never been so...)

Edit/ Just realised you've already asked on there.

Silver · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Karma :

I went about ten years ago. Unfortunately I wasn't on a bike, but I travelled all through both island by car. The roads are awesome - nice and smooty, twisty in the hills/mountains and bloody empty! Cool

Howling TerrorOutOfOffice · Super Spammer Joined: 05 Dec 2008 Karma :

The roads are good, in fact the west coast south island road is rated in the top 10 roads to drive/ride. I agree.
The only downside is the amount of roadkill and the odd bit of forgotten surfacing. I toured both islands a couple of years ago and ached for a bike to ride. Wasn't quite the same in a hire car.
Its a nice country, i described it as Scotland on steroids. Thumbs Up

Pat
BTW it seems very important for Kiwis to socialise..so don't go if yer an Emo type...and they're patriotic to daft levels
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hellkat · Super Spammer Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Howling TerrorOutOfOffice · Super Spammer Joined: 05 Dec 2008 Karma :

...and a little defensive Smile

Pat
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SpicyBlimp · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Oct 2007 Karma :

I went, for 14 hours, in Auckland

so not much help, the roads looked well maintained though Laughing

Tome · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 28 May 2009 Karma :

Beautiful place and great roads. The big towns and cities, obviously, get busy but the roads aren't bad considering. Once your out of them then the roads are pretty empty and lovely to ride on.

But watch out for sheep! Laughing

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Irezumi aka Reuben · Carrot Top Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Karma :

What roads did you lot ride on.

Where the surface is good it's fine. However when they resurface (quite often) they dont get rid of ANY of the gravel left on top so it can stay there for ages on a little used road. A tarmac'd road can quickly turn in to a mettle road, basically a gravel trail. They also put up makeshift signs and caution tape when there has been a landslip and the road has fallen away (very common). And if you get caught behind a truck/lorry on a twisty roads it's a dice with death to overtake!

Back roads normally have wildlife (dead and living) roaming about. The road surface is quite coarse/rough in most places. The Police are VERY strict/harsh with speeding. When it comes to it there arent that many roads either (look on google maps to see how many/few roads there are). There are also few places of interest to stop off unless you like the sea or lake Taupo (on the north Island anyway).

For road riding variety and interest/fun including palces to see then stick to the UK. Europe is also easily accessible. Once youre in NZ it aint easy to ride eslewhere.

There are some blinding sections of road, but I'd take the UK anytime.

Vinyardo · Scooby Slapper Joined: 16 Sep 2008 Karma :

I spent 6 months out there a few years ago - the roads are fantastic, but the drivers can be a bit crazy! Also, you gotta keep your eyes open for sheep in the road (NZ has something like 20 sheep for every human!)

As for living there, it is a stunning country but the standard of living is not as high as UK - average wages are lower but food etc is about the same price (except NZ lamb which for some reason is much more expensive in NZ than UK Confused

)
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SpicyBlimp · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Oct 2007 Karma :

Having a look through my calendar, bizarrely it was a year ago today I was there Laughing

What are the odds:
https://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/Iain007/Picture1-2.png

Here is a pic when we arrived:
https://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/Iain007/P1000890.jpg

[/off topic]

whowhatwhere · L Plate Warrior Joined: 18 Feb 2009 Karma :

Well I am from NZ, been living in the UK for three years. Passed DAS a few months ago and all I have been thinking about is popping back to NZ and riding some of those stunning roads.

Inland South Island near Twizel and Tekapo - brilliant roads. Hills on one side, lakes on the other, don't mess up that corner!

South Island all the way too - only 1 million people there, so the two-second rule need never be applied Very Happy

Mike

Howling TerrorOutOfOffice · Super Spammer Joined: 05 Dec 2008 Karma :

Coxyzxr · Brolly Dolly Joined: 22 May 2008 Karma :

What are Petrol prices like in NZ?
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hellkat · Super Spammer Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

better than here Shocked

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hellkat · Super Spammer Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

hellkat · Super Spammer Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Skudd · Super Spammer Joined: 01 Oct 2006 Karma :

My cousin came over from NZ in March, they do seem to be stuck between the 70's and 80's. My uncle is in the NZ Navy and stuck up a mountain. Go figure.
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SpicyBlimp · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Oct 2007 Karma :

stesmith · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 01 May 2009 Karma :

well i'm more than likely going. I've started saving already. the standard of living doesnt bother me, I cant stand England anymore and especially Liverpool.

I think it will be a case of going there for a few weeks and checking out what its like.

I'm sure there'll be track days available aswell.
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blutonium92 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 15 Mar 2009 Karma :

got some family that live over there but never been, i do want to though.
tell me if im wrong, but doesnt it rain alot there? which would be my only problem
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Howling TerrorOutOfOffice · Super Spammer Joined: 05 Dec 2008 Karma :

plugger147 · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Mar 2005 Karma :

my brother did this for a few months :https://www.kiwiexperience.com/
it cost him peanuts and he got a great feel of life over there. It's a pity the stupid little twat decided to come back here.
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