not working once they have got their PC's back from the container?

Seriously don't want to put the hard drives into hand luggage but also don't want to lose the data.

Any advice gratefully recvd

Use a Dropbox....

we have numerous Dropbox spread about but as hubby is a web designer this stuff is in the TB range so unfortunately Dropbox is not an option

I removed all mine and put them in my luggage, wrapped in towels and clothes. Sent a couple of old laptops in the container with the HD's still in place but with all data backed up onto a 1TB portable HD and they were fine, no issues or data lost.

After a day of so having my computer finally arrive it went BANG. I had a UK surge protector protecting the computer and everything plugged into a UK 4 way with a Kiwi plug. The damage was substantial, it blew everything on the computer apart from the Hard Drive which I've recovered.

A computer repair shop blamed it on a power surge.

More likely the container had sweated during transit across the equator and there was some condensation in the wrong place inside the PC.

Yes the shippers have warned me to cover all my leather motorcycling clothing in wax and leave it on because of the container sweat crossing the tropics.

No problems with any of our PCs but I did back up everything we cared about to a portable drive and take it in hand luggage just in case.

looks like the best bet is to take them over via plane, lucky we have a free 25kg air freight box from the shippers.

There is a real problem with condensation / moisture and containers. Some of our electrical equipment survived and some of it died when it arrived. So just to be safe I would back up the data and take with you - if you have a laptop take it with you on the plane, it will be really useful as soon as you land here in NZ.

+1

Our insurance had an extra percentage for electronic device cover for condensation etc. Can't remember if we took it or not but we didn't need it. Might have just been lucky

Not sure why you don't want to carry hard drives onto the plane, is there a problem with this now? I only came over three years ago.
I backed all my important stuff onto a hard drive and carried it over here in my hand luggage, had no problems with doing this. Incidentally my computer was fine and is still going strong so no problem with moisture on the trip over.

laptops are going in hand luggage. these are server hard drives and I was thinking about the luggage allowance mainly, it all counts and was hoping not to have to take it up with hard drives. Oh well looks like hubbies boots will now be going in the container

Ah hah, I extended my hand luggage as far as I could [and beyond!]. I think I carried on about 14kg- a small backpack full of important stuff and documents [which are heavy- paper and electronics] plus a handbag specially chosen for its Tardis like qualities.
Had fun trying to look like it was all as light as a feather going through security...