New Zeland Info?

[pezmanffx]

We just got the word today that my hubby's niece (she just turned 19) has sucessfully immagrated to New Zeland from Vietnam. Her father sponsored her over after estranged from the family for numerious years. We are hoping everything works out because of the many unknowns. In any event, I am told that living in Vietnam is still not so good and that getting out is still the best hope for a good future. In any case, I think we have decided to make a trip over to NZ as soon as our travel budget allows.

Given all that info, can anyone give me any insight into traveling to Hamilton, NZ from the east coast? We are also wondering what living in that area is like.

Any info would be really helpful.

[roteague]

I haven't been to that part of New Zealand, but Hamilton isn't very far from Auckland (a little over an hour). That means flying into Auckland, which is the major international hub from the US. From the east coast, two hops probably - East Coast to LA, LA to Auckland. From there, Hamilton is a short drive south from the airport (which is south of the city of Auckland). Right now, the US dollar is pretty strong against the NZ dollar, you your dollar will go a long way.

[RGoltsch]

I've only been in Auckland four times, each as a transit passenger on my way to and from Australia. The one thing I can recommend is Air New Zealand when you fly over. The service was wonderful.

They are part of the Star Alliance, so if you have a United or US Air FF membership, you'll earn miles with them.

My two cents.....

[tdew]

We spent a week in New Zealand and drove from Auckland on the North Island to Christ Church on the South Island and loved every minute of it.
One day, we hope to go back and spend more time there. It is beautiful and the people are very friendly.

It was in New Zealand that I accidently left my folder of trip information and other papers in a phone booth at a gas station and didn't realize it until we got to our destination for that day. I called the gas station, (lucky I'd paid with a credit card!) and the woman who answered told me that yes, she had it in the office and that there was another customer who was driving south and that he would drop the packet off at a second gas station that was half way between the two points. Somehow, I don't believe this would be worked out quite so smoothly here at home.

As a result we got to see the dog and lamb buildings of Tirau in daylight AND lit up at night.
http://tdew.smugmug.com/photos/102635721_JzFgJ-S.jpg

There's a quite long ferry ride between the two islands. If you rent a car, you turn it in on the island you rented it and then pick up another on the other side.

I can't imagine anyone not enjoying a trip to New Zealand, there's something for everyone.

[roteague]

I've only been in Auckland four times, each as a transit passenger on my way to and from Australia. The one thing I can recommend is Air New Zealand when you fly over. The service was wonderful.

They are part of the Star Alliance, so if you have a United or US Air FF membership, you'll earn miles with them.

My two cents.....

You are right, I can't recommend Air New Zealand highly enough. I've been fortunate to fly them a few times.

[Carchar]

My room mate on my expedition cruise to Antarctica came from the town where we debarked the ship, Invercargill, NZ's southernmost city. I went to a hotel and we made arrangements that she would pick me up and we would go to dinner together. I was staying at the Tower Lodge and called her house a few of times from there.

The next day, I checked in for my series of flights that would take me back to NY. I pulled out everything I needed for my flight, but I couldn't find my wallet with my credit cards. My cabin mate was with me to send me on my way. She suggested I call the hotel, which I did. Turns out, the proprietor had found my wallet. He called the local number that I had called 3x from my room and told the woman that answered that he had found my wallet and that I had already gone to the airport. As I got off the phone with him, my cabin mate's house mate was breathlessly running into the airport with my wallet.

I can't imagine this happening here in the U.S., though I can always hope.

[grgtravel]

We just got the word today that my hubby's niece (she just turned 19) has sucessfully immagrated to New Zeland from Vietnam. Her father sponsored her over after estranged from the family for numerious years. We are hoping everything works out because of the many unknowns. In any event, I am told that living in Vietnam is still not so good and that getting out is still the best hope for a good future. In any case, I think we have decided to make a trip over to NZ as soon as our travel budget allows.

Given all that info, can anyone give me any insight into traveling to Hamilton, NZ from the east coast? We are also wondering what living in that area is like.

Any info would be really helpful.

part of my family live in NZ.
You may like to chat/fine morn info from them. his name Steve. his email: steve@quelette.com his website: www.quelette.com he also in the industry but only sell resort /hotel only. he can give/answer your question if you wish since he is live there (Auckland). they travel around in NZ a lot due to work require .
I understand it is very expensive to live there.