HOW EXPENSIVE IS NEW ZEALAND?

Not sure why wicked dont just respray their vans - they could still have cool designs, just nothing offensive. The biggest advantage (compared to the UK) of buying a car is that insurance is not compulsory - and you can get third party for SO CHEAP (we are paying $8 per month). Also... stick to Australian red wines and NZ white wines and even $7 bottles of wine arent bad x

Many people I know DID buy a car, ranging from $500 to $4500. It is so easy to buy a car in NZ, it's insane (compared to europe). Especially if you plan to stay longer eg. 3months+, i would say it is the best - as long as you can sleep in it (which you can in most). That's what I did! Bought a car, used it for 6 months, slept in it most of the time, saved lots of money on accomodation and transport and sold it FOR THE SAME PRICE. And again, most people I know who did it like me, could sell their car for the same price, sometimes even more!

Tips from a New Zealander... Always shop at Pak n Save and try to go when they have sales like Wacky Wednesday, etc. You'll see it advertised big in yellow. Fish and chips make a great, cheap meal especially in the cities as it does get costly in smaller towns! Try to find farmers markets, etc for fruit and vege, e.g. Vege Direct in Chch has things like 20cent avocados etc.

My husband and I saved like crazy to make our NZ vacation a trip of a lifetime. I guess it helps that the US dollar went a bit farther than the NZ dollar...for now anyway. And you are not kidding about the size of the pizza. We ordered a large, based on our American concept of large pizza. What arrived at our table was easily 2 to 2 1/2 times the size of what we thought it would be. Good thing our accommodations had a fridge w/ freezer. Pizza became the staple of several meals.

Let's summarise this....(from a NZers)....NZ is a RIPOFF COUNTRY with a Huge Wealth Gap......This situation developed in the last say 30 years....Although there is a monopolies commission....if the govt doesn't like their findings,they overturn them!!.There is now considerable corruption at high levels....even the former Prime Minister (English) was caught fiddling his expenses and he remained in his job after being found out.!!!. The Jews now occupy all the key positions in parliament and business circles (the mayor's of Christchurch,Wellington and Auckland are Jews) NZ does have huge mansions in Auckland and 90% are owned by Jews....ALL the real estate agents are owned by Jews. There are about 40,000 homeless NZers. So not only are tourists ripped off but also average NZers.....During the eighties the govt sold off huge amounts of govt owned assets which went straight into the hands of wealthy Jews..... In short.....NZ has amazing scenery.....but the social conditions are anything but amazing....we re sort of a mini America....where powerful Jews have stripped that country of its wealth....Some areas look exactly like a third world country....that is the way NZ is heading.

If NZ wasn't as expensive at it is, we wouldn't have 1/4 of our country living in poverty, with thousands of kids in programs to provide them with necessities and lunches. That isn't just for those on a benefit, but also for working parents as well. There are perks here, no doubt, but the costs of living are rising at a steady rate and our wages stay the same. If you have money, then you'll find it a lot easier but if you run out of money, you'll get left behind very quickly. This country is expensive, and you need a qualification for most things, and to make more than minimum wage.

If your a clever brit you don't stay in hostels as just like in europe there expensive go online find a cheap motel.Yes we don't make cars in NZ but our imported cars from Asia are much better than most european cars and can get a half decent car for under 2000 nz.QueensTown well i lived there for around 5 years the place is great but its a robbery for overseas tourist,got to go tho bro but be sure you will be burning more cash there than anywhere NZ has to offer!