Den13

Right then...Christchurch...Errm..Clean, erm, nice, yes nice. The Avon is very nice.
Actually this is a Prison Officers dream as the pace of life is v e r y s l o w and it's an absolute fashion disaster. I've seen people wearing stuff that would send small children running to a place of safety in most other places.

I'm not the trendiest bloke in the World by any stretch, but, dear God..... :scared:

This will be a fantastic place to bring kids up in. Not for me though.

Gavin D

Great to make contact with you all. I will get some house rental prices for you in and around Hamilton, but the numbers you have got seem to be in the ball park anyway. There are many smaller areas that are easily within commuting distance of Hamilton and Waikeria so I will also have a look at them. Just for your info I have been in the service for 30 years now and came up through the ranks from on the floor. All my service has been at Waikeria with a couple of temporary secondments to National office for special projects but basically I love the work and particularly the weird sense of humour and friendships that we all rely on to survive in our game.

Will get back to you asap with the info but keep any questions coming.

Cheers Gavin

footloose

Hello Gavin,

Welcome to the forum. Nice to have information from the horses mouth (so to speak) I am due in Waikeria in Feb, and I would like any info on areas to live around the jail. Hopefully with 16 K, I am hopeful of being ale to cycle in if possible. Any info on the general area would also be appreciated.

Cheers

Scott

ranbysue

Thanks Gavin

I would appreciate any info about housing. Could you also have a look (only if it isn't too much trouble when looking at rentals) at average house prices for new(ish) 3/4 bed properties in nice areas of Waikeria. Do you think that the corrections may help out in any way, shape or form with relocation packages at all? I know that Den earlier mentioned that this does not see likely but just wondered if you knew any more?

Scott - I didn't realise it was you from the ex pats Hotel Forum website. I strated the thread back in April before my Husband's interview and used to chat to Tony Collins. I looked back at your web name and saw you were one and the same. Is everything going OK your end? House etc and family still looking forward to going?

Regards

Suzanne

Gavin D

Gidday Suze, Scott and others,

I will get the info you wanted Suze but in the meantime here is some general info that may be of assistance.

Waikeria is the largest single site prison in New Zealand and currently houses up to 926 prisoners of minimum, low medium and high medium security rating and also includes remand prisoners. We are located on a 3,000 acre farm which operates with prisoner labour and we have approximately 480 staff.

Hamilton is the closest city which is approximately ¾ hour away north of Waikeria. It is a lovely city built on the edge of the Waikato River and the rental properties are around $270 up to $400 per week depending on location and size. This city has everything that you would expect including a casino but is very laid back. It is also growing very fast in a northerly direction.

Te Awamutu is our closest place which is about 16 kms north of Waikeria and is a great town. It has all the shopping and services that you need including all the retail type shops you can imagine, two large supermarkets numerous fruit and vege shops etc etc. Also have ethnic restaurants including Thai, Indian, Chinese and Japanese as well as other types of restaurants, fast food joints McDonalds, Kentucky Fried and Subway. The town also has a large Dairy Factory which processes milk from the surrounding Waikato farms and is also a large employer. A large secondary school, three primary schools and also bus services to Hamilton and Cambridge for other schools in those locations. There are all kinds of engineering and mechanical workshops and car yards for Africa!! There is an excellent library, two theatres, a picture theatre, three large pubs and several smaller bars and numerous sports clubs. Rental accommodation in Te Awamutu can range up to $250-$300 per week and there are also opportunities to build as new sub developments are under way
Here are some web sites which will give you some more info re Te Awamutu: www.waipadc.govt.nz www.teawamutu.net and www.teawamutu.co.nz

Otorohanga (my old home town Whoopee) is another close town, about 18 kms away to the south and has all the amenities as above but just on a smaller scale. Rental accommodation in Otorohanga can range up to $150-$250 per week and there are also opportunities to build as new sub developments are also under way
It is known as the Kiwi town of NZ and here are some further web sites for more info. www.otorohanga.co.nz www.kiwianatown.co.nz and www.otodc.govt.nz

There are also cottages on farms around the Waikeria area that can be rented out but I am not sure of the cost

The biggest city in NZ is Auckland which is about 2 ½ hours away from Waikeria to the north and has all the advantages and disadvantages of a big sprawling metropolitan city. I love going there but also am glad to get back to the country again!

Right on our doorstep is the Pirongia mountain (and little village) and Maungatautari reserve which are covered in bush and have numerous bush walks and lodges for outdoor activities, several lakes for boating and skiing and we are about an hour away from the west coast which has excellent fishing (but can be dangerous going over the bar) and about 1 ¾ hrs from the east coast which also has good fishing but is more all weather access out to sea. The beaches on the west coast are black iron sands and the east are white/silver sands. Both coasts have brilliant surfing opportunities.
We are about 2 ½ hours away from the snow heading south where there is magnificent skiing and snowboarding opportunities in the season

Sport plays a major part in the NZ lifestyle but as well as all the outdoorsy type activities available there are numerous cultural activities to be enjoyed and Hamilton also attracts overseas groups to the Founders Theatre.

Hope this info is some assistance but keep any questions coming and feel free to e mail me if you would rather.

Cheers Gavin

Andrew Cross

Hello Den?

Can't wait to see you when you get back. Make sure you report to my office.

Andrew

Den13

Running all the way. Shouldn't you be in court?

Andrew Cross

Did the last posting scare you? It's me really NH. So sobber up! See if you can find out a little more on the availability of overtime at other Jails? This could prove important for many transfering staff including me (check out Christchurch). And is all the training done in Wellington or are there other Prison colleges?

In relation to relocation expenses I accept that some Islanders are poorer than the UK counterparts. But I think it should be understood that, following the Immigration costs, container & flight costs, most families are having to find $18,750 and thats before they land in NZ. We don't all have equity in property. Still that's a gripe others might want to pursue, I'm just thankful I'm going and no regrets....

How windy was Wellington? Excellent feedback by the way, good idea!

Den13

I thought it was you. Must admit when my e-mail said I had a message from AC, my jaw dropped.....

Wellington wasn't tooooo windy, but it obviously has potential. I'm about to do a skydive - strange how this trip is mirroring my career - So I'll post more later.

As far as I know, wellington is the national college. I went past Ch Ch nick on my way outta town. Its on SH73 (?) bout 10 -15 minutes from the city centre. I picked up a paper but there wasn't much property in it.

Like I said. ChCh is nice. It's just like an amalgam of every british large town you've been to, but without litter, graffitti and ghetto's.

I can hear my plane......Laters....hopefully.

Den13

Well my skydive was cancelled at the last minute because of wind - just whose I'm unsure of. Try again tomorrow, so I did the jetboat thing which was like, way cool dude.
Queenstown is the New Zealand equivelant of sniffing petrol....everyone is permanantly buzzing. Lots of baseball caps and the phrase, 'dude'.

The beauty of the South Island is absolute.

As far as I'm aware AC, overtime is available in every jail. Bearing in mind we're all going to be filling shortfalls and by the drastic nature of doing an overseas recruitment, I don't anticipate anyone getting an open nick. Even you might be spotted on a landing again!!

I accept what you say about the financial help, but the truth is there's been a good takeup on the job offers, so why would they want to offer help? If there was a poor return, that would encourage them to re-think.
That and the fact every Kiwi thinks every Brit is loaded.

BTW: It was the warmest winters day in recorded history in Q'town yesterday. And I was there!

Andrew Cross

Thanks Den! And less of the landing jibe! I was on those landings for thirteen years, that's when we were proud to be officers and I think we were in control. Just hope NZ Managers don't ever think they can learn anything from the UK Service apart from how to screw up big style.

Reflected on the past few weeks and probably my last few weeks at work here in the UK. 'The Officer who got sacked because he swore at a Prisoner? The continued recruitment of more staff without so much as an interview or the need for any qualifications? Staff claiming they love the job but are too frightened to come to work? The guy in the Gate under too much stress from pushing the buttons to open the gates and handing out keys. The fellow who claims he does not sexually harass women despite five independent complaints from different women? The Governor who placed a hot tea spoon against a prisoners bare chest and exclaimed 'Was that hot?' I'm not sure? But we will all find out during the court case in three weeks time! I could go on all night.' I ask you what happened? And that's just work!

At no stage have I ever had second thoughts about transferring to NZ...

I'm going to be doing some work before I leave on pensions and see what we can best do with our UK pension situation. If anybody has any helpful suggestions let me know...I'll keep you posted with what I find out...

Here's a thought our travelling reporter Den is now under our feet travelling from his plane towards us at a speed in excess of 200 miles per hour!! Bloody lunatic...

dekajack1

Well Glad to see the Prisons are the same all over the uK.


Just in from a backshift, and what a lovely start to the day.

Going into our ever so new and fantastic hall to be met with an officer on way to hospital with broken nose and black eye, his crime, asked a prisoner to turn his music down.

The best news, 4 of our personal alarms were pressed but surprise surprise they didn't work.

Now that fills with confidence..


Going to have something to eat and a big glass of wine.


A

footloose

Thanks for the post Gavin. It has started me on another investigative journey on the web.

Scott

Den13

Hmm...I've ended up in a small town called Greymouth. Me and a yank agreed that we both need to cut down on the amount we're drinking when.....'Brewery tour, $20.00'.

O sweet jesus. Free beer, free food and a night to remember with the locals. Not only have I entered the rear of the competition, had several large beers with a touring rugby team, I ended up drinking with Ken, my new bessie mate. Who's also in The Mongrol Mob.

Just done a 10 stretch, can't drink for toffee and the locals think he's a tit.

I'm leaving today..........

Now where did I park the bloody car?......

Den13

Hello again,
I'm back in Wellington after having the time of my life on the South Island. I won't bore you with the details, but the West coast.......

Just met Alex and Anjur (?) the contact bloke. All very enthusiastic and they are looking at help with accommodation on first arrival.

MV5555-He says 'Answer his bl***y e-mail!'

They also want to meet us all for drinks when we get here. I don't think they've been drinking with Prison Officers before........it could get messy.

My brief sojourn into the land of the long white cloud is nearing it's end, just a few more days then back to reality.

I'll be back though......