Originally Posted by lardyl

Well, firstly the trains south of the bridge aren't much cop according to my workmates and the radio, plus looking at them (maybe 3 or 4 diesel units together in a row on crappy track that should have been upgraded 30 years ago) as I sit in a jam on the motorway I'd suggest that they ain't gonna move the number of people that are queuing on the southern motorway on an average morning - I happen to drive in that direction pretty early some days when I *have* to drive south of the city - for work (for example had to get to Hamilton for 0930 yesterday so another 0600 start was required) my work is almost impossible to do via public transport unless like today involved a wander over the road to a site.
I wasn't complaining about not being able to do the work commute via bus rather the fact that the roads here aren't coping at the moment, plus all the building going on in Albany and soon to be started in Silverdale (do you know how many homes are planned for that area? talking to the teachers at Silverdale Primary before my son started school and the numbers are huge given that there is little there at the moment - before/without Penlink that is gonna be another nightmare). Combined this is going to make any commute to CBD or points South even more difficult and snarl up an already congested road system. The bus lanes may help some people but I doubt they will shift many Kiwis out of their 4x4s, UTEs, etc. Plus the junction improvements just before the bridge say 2009 for completion, which will really screw up people coming from the south end of the shore for the next 2 years - gulp. Having said that I did get a decent run home tonight - 45 minutes - but that was at 7.00pm.
My point remains, Auckland has nowhere near the necessary public transport infrastructure and anyone who is coming from almost any city/large town in the UK will be shocked at the congestion and should consider where they want to live carefully before commiting.
BTW, when I have caught the bus (in Orewa) at early rush hour it has taken me over an hour to reach the city, most of which was spent on the on/off ramps and getting along the crawl where the bus lane has been closed for the improvements. Coming back has been equally bad. But then I have only done this a couple of times for meetings. Considered the Gulf Harbour ferry but the only time I got there it was cancelled due to bad weather.

Originally Posted by lardyl

Well, firstly the trains south of the bridge aren't much cop according to my workmates and the radio, plus looking at them (maybe 3 or 4 diesel units together in a row on crappy track that should have been upgraded 30 years ago) as I sit in a jam on the motorway I'd suggest that they ain't gonna move the number of people that are queuing on the southern motorway on an average morning - I happen to drive in that direction pretty early some days when I *have* to drive south of the city - for work (for example had to get to Hamilton for 0930 yesterday so another 0600 start was required) my work is almost impossible to do via public transport unless like today involved a wander over the road to a site.
I wasn't complaining about not being able to do the work commute via bus rather the fact that the roads here aren't coping at the moment, plus all the building going on in Albany and soon to be started in Silverdale (do you know how many homes are planned for that area? talking to the teachers at Silverdale Primary before my son started school and the numbers are huge given that there is little there at the moment - before/without Penlink that is gonna be another nightmare). Combined this is going to make any commute to CBD or points South even more difficult and snarl up an already congested road system. The bus lanes may help some people but I doubt they will shift many Kiwis out of their 4x4s, UTEs, etc. Plus the junction improvements just before the bridge say 2009 for completion, which will really screw up people coming from the south end of the shore for the next 2 years - gulp. Having said that I did get a decent run home tonight - 45 minutes - but that was at 7.00pm.
My point remains, Auckland has nowhere near the necessary public transport infrastructure and anyone who is coming from almost any city/large town in the UK will be shocked at the congestion and should consider where they want to live carefully before commiting.
BTW, when I have caught the bus (in Orewa) at early rush hour it has taken me over an hour to reach the city, most of which was spent on the on/off ramps and getting along the crawl where the bus lane has been closed for the improvements. Coming back has been equally bad. But then I have only done this a couple of times for meetings. Considered the Gulf Harbour ferry but the only time I got there it was cancelled due to bad weather.

Originally Posted by mickey_d

A course on motorway driving & sign reading would probably help!!!!!
When driving south towards the bridge there are loads of signs for which lane to be in, but no-one bothers with them & after the bridge you get loons crossing from lane 1 to 5 causing everyone behind to slam on their brakes.
If they all got in the correct lanes well before the bridge the traffic would flow far better. Banning undertaking & use of mobile phones would help as well.

Originally Posted by danny.f

Come to Welly,brother

Originally Posted by lardyl

sorely tempted dude, esp as work have floated the idea of moving south - gotta wait until the end of the school year though and dont wanna screw the missus's emoloyer!!!

Originally Posted by lardyl

yep, also banning idiots in the outside lane just sitting there - like the fool tonight with 5 or 6 people going down inside before they pull into a clear inside lane.
The lane jumpers drive me mad as I get in outside lane at Greville and stay there to Sthn M/Way in spite of the temptation to dodge "between the ramps" and gain many car lengths.........
The real problem is the North Shore and all the traffic entering before the bridge S bound and squeezing down just after the bridge N bound.
Not gonna get any better as far as I can see - so I leave home at 0600 and try to leave the office at 1530, but it dont always work like that!!

Originally Posted by mickey_d

The answer is another bridge, which I read the another week has been acknowledged, but there are no plans to look at it within the next 10 years!!!
Mind you after the Esmonde Road fiasco it would probably take them 20 years to build it. We got caught up in the Esmonde Road works on our recce in February 2005 & it's just finished.......how long!!!!!

Originally Posted by jill1420

After reading most of this long long thread just had to jump in and ask out of curiosity which country the people (ones that havent already left) who are now not happy in NZ are planning on going to or wish they were going to? As someone wrote 'better to be going to somewhere you want to go to than staying where your unhappy' Im personally hoping to get the opportunity to suss out NZ for myself. Been to Oz and liked ....... im in unique position my kids r rugby daft and cant wait to get out of Scotland and try something new as they are very sporty and love beach life. Im not going to knock Scotland as I am patriotic ................. I just dont feel anything has improved for my kids future in my area compared to when I was growing up..............if anything alot worse. I will probably be the only one in the family thats homesick but willing to give it a try..............scared I regret it otherwise.
I enjoy reading all the positive and negative posts very thought provoking.

Originally Posted by KiwiKate

God, don't be put off!!! ......... I seriously wonder reading posts on this site which NZ some people are living in!!!.....If you want any other positives, I'd be happy to oblige in a PM - just don't wanna 'corrupt' the slag off NZ thread, for fear of being accused as a hijacker ;0)

Originally Posted by Cava Fizz

AFIK?

ta, lardy L.

what is everyones favourite way to use garlic. at the moment I enjoy grating it.