Update on life in New Zealand

Having looked back at what I have previouly written, I thought I had better update some things.  Once I arrived in New Zealand I was originally staying in a hostel, but took to trying to find somewhere straight away for me to live by myself.  I found staying in the hostel quite hard, as I can be very shy and I really don't like crowds at all, I'm just not so good with large numbers of people.  I also tend to do my own thing and go my own way, I tend not to follow a crowd or any person and though, like anyone I'm happy in company, I am also happy enjoying my own company - just writing, reading, art/crafts etc - so the hostel was a bit much for me.  House sharing it appears would have put me in pretty much a similiar situation, parties and such stuff, I just don't cope with well.  I'm the last to arrive and the first to leave.

So after 2 weeks in a hostel on Queen Street, in Auckland's CBD, I found an apartment to rent by myself.  I'm still there now and this is going great.  It is still in the CBD and I'm so central to everything, it couldn't be better.  Next I had to find work, I had already decided not to travel around as I want to stay in New Zealand long term, so showing the Kiwi Government that I'm up for earning and paying taxes would look better to them than the travellers/tourists move of fruit picking - again I would have been sleeping in a bunkbarn and I wouldn't have coped to well.  So about two weeks after I got myself my apartment I started going round the temp agencies for work, signing up with as many of them as possible.  In the meantime, I took to voluntary work down at The Auckland City Mission in helping them prepare for Christmas and everything that they would be undertaking in order to help those that collect benefits and don't have much.  By mid December I had myself a job with a Government agency and thankfully I'm still working for them now.  So all is going very well :) I still continued at the Auckland Mission and spent Christmas Day helping out as promised.

During Bank Holidays/long weekends and weekends I try to take off around the North Island for my road trips and exploring the island in the usual way a wandering spirit does.  I've already eyed up places to learn to surf, Muay Thai Kickboxing (not to fight), deep sea fishing and I'm on the lookout for the best places to spot Orca, oh and I do need to find places to return to horse riding and hockey (field).  There is nothing like a fantastic road trip driving around and exploring the open road and the back tracks that make up New Zealand's North Island.  No drive is the same, no view is the same and all of it is absoluately stunning.  My camera is working overtime.

To compliment the wonderful people, views, drives etc there are also so many small musuems and art galleries dotted around that where ever you go, you will find one and they have some stunning stuff in them, mostly from local artists and people you wouldn't have heard of outside of New Zealand.  I'm not an artist myself (neither pencil nor paint are my friends!) but I do go in for other arty/crafty things and I love photography and I certainly love looking and admiring other people's works.

Which brings me to following blog's, which I've never done before - It appears you can't search by subject, or indeed search at all - so I simply use the "next blog" button and add the ones that I like, ones that are new (like me) and any others that take my fancy - may they be art, traveling, animals, books or anything....maybe I can encourage others and others can encourage me and maybe I can make a few friends along the way :)

Happy blogging to all!

IEP One Year Working Visa from BUNAC

I've got it! My IEP one year work visa from BUNAC. So now I must plan my one year working trip to New Zealand, I have in the past visited the South Island but I have never been to the North Island before. I've already decided that due to the earthquakes in the South Island is t wouldn't be the best thing to head down that way. From what I have read and heard from various sources some people who own multiple properties in and around Christchurch that haven't been damaged by the earthquakes are renting their places out to people whose homes have been damaged or destroyed. But sadly, they appear to be renting them out at very high prices, same with B&Bs, Guest Houses, Hostels and anyone else who feel they can make more money because accommodation is becoming hard to come by. Add this to the number of tourists who are still travelling to Christchurch and some people must be making a far bit of money.

In September the Rugby World Cup arrives in New Zealand (9th Sep - 23rd Oct 2011), this will mean big business for the country and for all kinds of businesses, accommodation, restaurants, cafes, shops there is going to be money to be made and so many will benefit from the huge event. It does mean that as teh games are played around the country, accommodation will be become even more limited (especially in the South Island around Christchurch) and prices will go sky high. The money is clearly going to be sorely needed for Christchurch as the council will need to earn back the money spent on repairing and re-building the city and its building before the big event.

I've pretty much decided then to go out after the event and hope that not only the hype will have died down but also the prices for accommodation, both short and long term. I've also finally decided that I will head towards the Auckland area and maybe higher into KeriKeri and/or Northland. But since it will be my first time visiting the North Island I just don't know where to start and where to stay. I have repeated many a time to people that I feel finding a job will be the easy part, while deciding where to stay and live for the year (or do I move around) will be the hard part. One year = 12 months = really isn't so longer time as people will have you believe.

I'm certainly looking forward to some work outdoors such as fruit picking or farming, I've done a little of this in the past and have always enjoyed it. I shall be going out during New Zealand's summer months so it will be the perfect season to start picking up work. Quite a few hostels will actually help you find work on a farm and/or fruit picking and set you up a deal to stay with them for the duration of your work period. Some places will just have you camp or lodge in their fields, this doesn't appeal to me so much. But if needs must I vow to try it for a while. However, as part of the fee I have part to BUNAC, and in association with the IEP office in Auckland, they also offer help in finding you work and accommodation. They will also help with the basics of opening a bank account, getting your social security number and anything else that needs to be in order fr you to start working.

My first couple of nights are 100% going to be in Auckland at a backpackers, I certainly perfer single sex dorms, but I'd rather not be in dorms at all. I do love my sleep so usually try and grab a single room and pay the extra if I can. The hostel itself does happily and proudly declare itself a party hostel for those travelling around, this doesn't sell it to me, but again, if needs must I will find that party spirit and join in, even if only for a few nights before I find somewhere else to pop my head down quietly for some good nights sleep.

I am actually really happy that I got this visa and I'm so looking forward to the year it is beyond words, but I am also hugely and greatly nervous about what the year will hold for me. I've so many things going through my head and I'm saving so many links and websites into my favourites that I'm not entirely sure any of it is going in, I'm just hoarding website addresses. However, somewhere in the back of my mind is a little voice that says buy a bike and spend some months cycling New Zealand. Now this appeals to me greatly, but it wouldn't earn me any money to support myself. Oh what to do when such a wonderful opportunity is given to you.....