The independant skills cat. which i understand is going through major changes now.
Give me a shout if you cross to the south Island. I've got a frettless bass that needs the neck sorting!

P.S Why Wellington?

We are applying for PR sponsored skilled designated area for Australia which as I understand means that we will have 5 yeras to emigrate after validation.
(can go to NZ using our OZ PR Visa if we want e.g. if we don't like OZ)

Yes, good old Hodgson! Can't wait for next year when he should be in GP's on the Duke.

Andy.

Hi Alan,

Wellington...because the music scene is huge - there are 9 music stores alone with only one part time repairer, I've had excellent feedback from Rockshop NZ, and it's central for a lot of bands and muso's to use as a base to tour from. Add to that the venue numbers, the uni's, the jazz and folk festivals and I have a reasonable market to go at. Wellington may not be the prettiest place in NZ, but it was the best market for my business and it beats Crewe by a long shot.......

If you want your fretless bass sorting - wait for me to get there and post it across.....I built a German guy his Les Paul that way!!....

all the best, Rich.

Hello there, this is the first time i've posted a message on this forum. We've been planning to take our Harley sportster over to NZ but read a rather scary thread on ***** site describing how someones bike was just forciblily taken from them on the road by a motorbike gang. In your experience is this common place. We noticed when we were in NZ last month that not many motorbikes were on the road.

Never heard of anyones bike being hijacked, but there are a few bike gangs out here. Where we are, there is one gang, but the local bikers say they are a pretty good bunch & keep the bad guys out of town! There are more gangs in the north island, but pretty much all over, though don't be put off, people dont ride scared over here, its not an issue. They fight each other really, not even seen any gangs so far!

There are lots of bikes out and about around here, especially on the w/e. We have a good biker crowd here, for all tastes & quite a lot of Harleys too. Meet ups & ride outs etc. The scenes good.

I shipped my bike (CBR600) over here, probably just as easy to sell it there & buy another, but I've owned it from new and its MINE!

Let me know if you need any advice on shipping your bike. Now change that "smile" to a

Alan, you've made me feel at lot happier, We only had the bike 5 days before we visited NZ last month and had to take it back to the dealership for storage while we were away. But now we are back in UK we are enjoying riding it and would really not want to part with it. Hopefully we will move out to NZ August next year, have to get residency for my husband but I am a Kiwi. I may get back to you nearer our move to pick your brains about shipping, duty etc. How are you liking NZ? Regards Trudy

Glad to be of assistance, ask away anytime!

We are now settling in well & we love it here in NZ, it can now only get better, bring on the summer!!!