Composed of three main islands, New Zealand is about the same size as Colorado. It is located some 1,200 miles southeast of its closest major neighbor, Australia, and is 6,600 miles west of South America. The South Island, The North Island, and Stewart Island are the main components of New Zealand. The South Island is the most mountainous and is where New Zealanders practice their skiing skills on the slopes of Mount Cook (12,349 feet), the highest mountain in New Zealand. The North Island is famous for its hot springs and is the center of Maori culture. The North Island is also the area of highest population, with the major cities being Auckland and Wellington. The main cities on South Island are Christchurch and Dunedin. New Zealand's economic base is agriculture with wool and lamb production dominating. Because of New Zealand's location in the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are reversed. Christmas will come in the summer, complete with Santa dressed in bathing gear.
Lincoln University is located on the large Canterbury Plains. The Plains themselves are covered with sheep, crops, and long lines of trees which serve as windbreakers against the strong winds which whip across the Plains. The fall, spring, and summer tend to be warm and the winter mild with periods of hard frosts. The weather, however, can change radically during the day (warm to very cold) depending on which way the wind is blowing: from the South it is cold and from the North it is warm. The normal rainfall is forty inches per year. Temperatures range between 1°C and 35°C, but differ for various locations as New Zealand covers nearly 15 degrees of latitude.
The IP students found the climate to be very cold, compared to California. One student pointed out that the latitude is equivalent to central/northern Oregon, and the temperature is quite similar. The weather seems to be quite changeable, and students are encouraged to pack accordingly (layered clothing, i.e., shirt, sweater, jacket).
You should do as much reading as possible about the history, society, economics, and politics of New Zealand and the South Pacific before you come. Getting some background will help you to adjust more quickly and give you something in common with the New Zealanders-a knowledge of their country.
The People (Top)
The people of New Zealand are friendly towards Americans and foreigners in general. You will find that they have preconceived ideas on what "Yanks" are like, usually based on American television programs. Be prepared to be hassled about being a "Yank" and to get into heavy discussions about America. Some of their ideas are not exactly flattering, but the New Zealanders in general seem to be willing to judge a person on an individual basis. Since Lincoln is a relatively small institution, about 3,500 students, everyone tends to know everyone else on a first name basis.
Although some IP students found their Kiwi counterparts to be more reserved than Californians, most agreed that in general they are friendly, fun-loving, easy-going and they like to drink. Humor can be "rustic" at times.
Sports (Top)
A large proportion of New Zealanders spend Saturday afternoon playing or watching some type of sport. Rugby is New Zealand's national game and has a tremendous following. Other popular winter sports are soccer, hockey, basketball, cross-country running, and golf. Popular indoor games are badminton, squash, and table-tennis. Cycling and tennis are also popular. In the winter many students ski or ice-skate. Tramping is also popular. If you plan on participating in any of these sports especially tramping bring the appropriate clothing and footwear from home because it is much more expensive to buy here.
Religion (Top)
Nearly 90% of the New Zealand population belong to various Christian denominations. Nevertheless, probably no more than 30% of the people attend worship services regularly. Although the political system is secular, Christian attitudes are part of many aspects of New Zealand life. Overseas students belonging to other religions will normally be met with much tolerance, goodwill, and interest.
Language (Top)
The accents (British) are wonderful but be careful not to spend the lecture time listening to the professors' accent instead of the information! It will be very hard at first to understand some lectures, but it improves quickly. A number of lecturers are from England or Scotland and some of the slang and different pronunciations of "common" terms they use add to some initial confusion. Maoris are native to New Zealand, thus many Maori names are still being used which are difficult to pronounce and remember.
The following list of words and phrases is incomplete, but it may help you understand a few of the colloquialisms encountered. Many of these terms are used mainly by young people. The list does not include terms used in schools or universities to describe different subjects or places. Do not feel embarrassed to ask anyone the meaning of expressions you do not understand. Kiwis also have a tendency to mumble and you will often have to ask them to repeat themselves, but to ask "what?" is taken as being rude, so politely ask "pardon" if you cannot understand someone.
| All Blacks | the New Zealand National Rugby Football team | |
| bit suspect | not correct; questionable | |
| bach | small beach or holiday house; house | |
| beaut | super, very good | |
| biscuits/bickies | cookies | |
| Bob's Your Uncle | You're doing good (in a good situation) | |
| brassed off | angry | |
| capping | graduation (refers to the actual ceremony and to the social activities associated with it) | |
| chips | fries | |
| choice | cool or neat | |
| citch | tacky | |
| crook | sick | |
| cupper | cup of tea | |
| dairy | small shop that opens for long hours and sells a wide range of general food products | |
| dear | expensive | |
| freezing works | slaughterhouse | |
| fringe | bangs | |
| grid iron | American football | |
| grog | booze; beer | |
| haeremai | Maori term for welcome | |
| hard case | (of a person) amusing; full of fun; stubborn | |
| hooray | goodbye; so long | |
| jandals | flip flops | |
| jersey | sweater | |
| judder bars | speed bumps | |
| kia ora | Maori for hello | |
| kiwi | a flightless native bird; term used for a New Zealander | |
| kiwi fruit | green fuzzy fruit | |
| lollies | candy | |
| loo | bathroom toilet | |
| loopy | tourist | |
| mate | a fellow-used in greeting as in "hi, mate," as in "roommate" | |
| milo | hot chocolate | |
| mince | ground beef | |
| pa | a Maori village | |
| paddock | pasture | |
| pakeha | a Maori term for a white man | |
| pissed | drunk | |
| pong | bad smell | |
| pudding | a dessert | |
| pumpkin | whole squash family | |
| queue | line one stands in while waiting for a movie, a meal, etc. | |
| query | question | |
| reckon | do you think so | |
| rubber | eraser | |
| shout | to give a treat, buy others drinks, meal tickets | |
| swat | study for a test | |
| ta | informal thank you | |
| tea | dinner | |
| togs | swimsuit | |
| tomato sauce | ketchup | |
| torch | flashlight | |
| zoo | hippie-type person |
One student suggests purchasing A Personal Kiwi-Yankee Slanguage Dictionary by Louis S. Leland, Jr. (John McIndoe, Ltd., publisher), sold in New Zealand for NZ$5.95.
Holidays (Top)
Public holidays observed by the whole country, when banks and business firms would be closed, are:
| New Year's Day | 1 January | |
| Anzac Day | 25 April | |
| Good Friday, Easter Monday | March-April (variable) | |
| Queen's Birthday Observance | First Monday in June | |
| Labour Day | Last Monday in October | |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | |
| Boxing Day | 26 December |
Each province (the areas into which New Zealand is divided) observes its own Provincial Day holiday.
Note: Things tend to be closed down on weekends-especially Sundays.
Lincoln University (Top)
University Structure and History
Lincoln University was established as the School of Agriculture of Canterbury College in 1878. In 1896 there was a change of title to Canterbury Agricultural College when the College separated from Canterbury College. The new College became a teaching institution of the University of New Zealand and when the Senate of that body introduced a degree of Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1886. The College became recognized as a special school of that University. When the University of New Zealand was disestablished on 31 December 1961 the University of Canterbury became a degree conferring institution and the College which was renamed "Lincoln University" became a constituent College of that University operating under the Lincoln University Act 1961 as a separate institution with its own council, principal, professorial board and staff. In 1989, Lincoln College officially became Lincoln University.
In 1877, 163 hectares of land had been purchased at Lincoln to form the basis of the College farm and on which the first building, subsequently named Ivey Hall after the first Director of the College, was completed in 1880. As opportunity offered, further land was purchased and a central portion of the campus was set aside for developing as a site for teaching buildings, the library, halls of residence and flats for students and facilities for recreation. The halls of residence and the flats provide accommodation for 510 single students and the farms provide excellent opportunities for students to observe farming facilities. Lincoln offers programs in agriculture, business, engineering, science and other fields including parks and recreation. In 1982 there were 1,687 students enrolled at the College. Included in this total were 567 students enrolling at a University Institution for the first time, 425 female students, 129 students from overseas countries and 247 graduate students.
Research, which has always been a major activity at Lincoln, receives a stimulus from research and allied institutions attached to Lincoln and also from independent organizations situated immediately adjacent to it. The Botany, Crop Research and Grasslands divisions of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (D.S.I.R.) and the Wool Research Organization work in close cooperation with the university staff. Based at the university and forming an integral part of it are the Agricultural Economics Research Unit, the Agricultural Engineering Institute and the Tussock Grasslands and Mountain Lands Institute.
Arrival
The first thing you will notice when you get off the plane, all the buildings and homes have corrugated iron roofs, which makes New Zealand look like Legoland. Be prepared for the Norwester winds when you arrive in New Zealand summer.hot and will blow you away. You may feel homesick the first couple of days, because you are jet lagged and tired. It does go away and you will get the hang of things. The buses are pretty handy when you are living in town. There is a big central bus depot downtown. The bus passes are also quite expensive, so it saves money to buy a used car. Finding a car in Christchurch is very easy. You can check the local trade papers (Buy Sell & Exchange), go to the car auctions, or just look around the streets for signs on cars. Make sure you look at cars that have current registration and warrant of fitness. Driving is very easy, because there isn't a lot of traffic. Don't worry about driving on the other side of the road, you get used to that right away! After two weeks you will know how to navigate around town.
Housing
The residence halls are coed and range from new to very old. All rooms are singles. You share the toilet, shower, and sink facilities. There is a shared kitchen which has a refrigerator, stove and microwave for making snacks. The rooms have carpets, desk and desk lamp, bed, and ample closet and storage space. Sheets, blankets, and pillows are provided, but do not forget to bring your own towels. Every hall has free laundry facilities. You can also dine in the University Dining Hall on a pay per meal basis.
The catered halls serve three meals per day (weekdays-breakfast, lunch, and dinner, weekends-brunch and dinner). The meals themselves are basic but variety may be lacking. One can expect soup, a meat dish, canned, fresh and frozen vegetables, rice, potatoes (always potatoes), and a dessert. There is plenty of tea and coffee. Desserts are simple-occasionally ice cream and it's excellent.
The halls are perfectly fine and the student flats are great. Two things to keep in mind, you will mainly be living with other international students and you will be isolated a bit out at Lincoln. Lincoln is a small agriculture town with not much to do. However, living on campus provides a social life, because there are always activities happening at University. It is a good idea to consider living off campus as well. There are plenty of flat-sharing opportunities in town. Just pick up a local paper and start calling all the listings. Living off campus with locals gives you the experience of fully immersing yourself with the Kiwi culture, instead of only living with other international students. You will also be in the city, with a wide variety of restaurants, bars, etc.
Most IP students agreed that the program-arranged dormitories were the most convenient and agreeable housing upon arrival. It is best to live in the dorms for a semester, then move out after you have made some new friends. If you think you may not want to stay in the halls all year, notify the head of halls as soon as possible (as a ten week notice is required). The halls are typical dorms with a "young, party" attitude, so be prepared. The halls are convenient, but if you have the opportunity move into a student flat. They enable you to cook your own meals and usually there is a very cooperative atmosphere between the four students who share each flat.
Phones
Cell phones are not that cheap. They cost around $60 NZ to buy one, unless you can find a used phone. The per-minute fees are around $.87 NZ. They do come in handy, especially if you are driving and may need roadside assistance, etc. Most people communicate through text messages, because it only costs $0.10NZ per text. Phone cards are very cheap in NZ. Chi Tel has the most competitive rates for calls to the US. You can call home for $0.05NZ per minute.
Library
The Ivey Hall Library which was established in 1960 has a collection of 64,000 volumes. Over 3000 serial publications are received regularly. The stock of the library is specialized, by far the greater part of it relating directly to the work of teaching and research in the various fields of agriculture and contributory sciences, but it also includes a collection of general interest materials including the Students' Association Recreation Library which is housed in the building. There is a good selection of business related books, but most business periodicals go back only as far as 1986-87. Booklets describing the services and the physical arrangement of the library stock are available on request at the circulation desk, but be prepared-many books are outdated.
Considering the size of the college, the library is very good. The library hours are 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. weekdays, Fridays they close at 5:00 p.m.; Saturdays 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sundays the library is open from 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. One can have trouble getting some books as students tend to be slow in returning them. The library has a lot of old books, so if doing heavy research, the Canterbury library or the one in town is helpful. Be sure to bring a good dictionary and a scientific or biological one if you have it; they will come in handy. You will find library hours very frustrating (not enough hours). You must plan your study time around the hours it is open.
Computers
The computer labs on campus are usually pretty crowded. If you have a laptop.great! It will give you the freedom to work on your projects without worrying about the labs being free. If you live in a flat, there are inexpensive internet plans for dial up connections.
Health Services
The University Medical Services office is located in Hudson Hall with a registered nurse in attendance from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. A doctor from the Lincoln Medical Center is there Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday between 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and Wednesday afternoon; students make appointments by coming in person to the Services. Except in cases of emergency, students are asked to make appointments for all consultations. A doctor is on call at night, weekends and on holidays, the emergency number is Lincoln 859.
International students can go to student health for free. Students who consult an outside doctor do so, of course, at their own expense.
For students who experience personal difficulties which can be dealt with in a non-medical setting, a psychological counselor is available during the academic term.
Student Association
Membership in the Lincoln University Students' Association is compulsory, and the membership fee is included in IP costs.
Churches
The University Chaplain and the clergy of the other churches in Lincoln Village welcome students. Details of service times of the local churches can be obtained at the University. Catholic Mass on campus on Sundays and Fridays.
Post Office
There is a complete post office in the bookstore on campus. Postal rates are more expensive than in the States ($1.50 N.Z. for aerograms and $2.00 for air mail letters). The post office handles other government matters, such as vehicle registration, and has passbook bank accounts, which can be very handy. Mail takes about 4-21 days to get to New Zealand from California and is delivered twice daily at 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. For the first two months you will hangout in anticipation, waiting for news from home and loved ones. Tell friends and family to be sure and write "AIR MAIL" on letters and packages, unless they don't mind it taking several months to arrive. This is particularly important for financial aid information.
Permanent IP Students Address:
Name
c/o International Centre
P.O. Box 94
Lincoln University
Canterbury, New Zealand
Social Life at Lincoln
Social life at Lincoln is very limited. Since Lincoln is basically an agricultural college, few music, drama, debate, or similar activities are scheduled on campus. There are, however, several clubs and field sports in which you can participate. During the first week of classes, there is a "club day" where students can learn about and sign up for various organizations. In past years, American students have started basketball and aerobics clubs. New gym offers plenty of aerobics excellent facilities, quality classes. Club dues run from $5 to $25 per year. The International Club (get involved; it is a great way to meet people from all over the world), Alpine Club (sports), and Christian fellowship clubs are very active clubs on campus. All sports are done on a club basis. Other sports available are tennis, squash, badminton, and table tennis. Sports like rugby, soccer, and field hockey are popular, and coaches are willing to teach the games to Yanks. Some soccer and field hockey teams are open to females. Girls rugby is quite a change!
Dances (referred to as "balls" or "stirs" depending on the formality) occur once or twice, but are expensive. Dinner is included in the price which is usually around $40 to $50 for a double ticket. They are fancy gatherings so you will need a nice dress. Men can easily rent a tux.
The most common meeting place of all after classes is "The famous Grouse" which is about 3/4 mile down the road from the University in Lincoln Village. The town of Lincoln has a market, electronics store, drugstore, hardware store and other businesses. For a quick lunch stop you could go to the Fish and Chip Shop, the Chinese take-away, or Hillyer's Pie Shop.
Local Transportation (Top)
Buses are expensive! $3.70 one way, but students (with ID) can return free within 2 hours. They run between campus and Christchurch from early morning until 6:00 p.m. The new schedule added a bus which leaves the city at 10:00 p.m. Cars drive on the left side of the road, so be careful when you first get there (crossing the street can be dangerous to your health!). Bus hours are very limited especially on weekends. Cars and insurance are extremely inexpensive and easy to resell, although petrol is expensive.
Travel (Top)
IP students felt that there were plenty of school breaks throughout the year where you can take the opportunity to get away and see more of the country. The breaks occur between each of the three terms-two weeks in May, two weeks in late August, and also two weeks between the two semesters in early July. The breaks divide the year into three "terms" but the semesters are academic divisions which end with finals. Recommended places to visit: Mt. Cook, Fiordland, Queenstown, the West Coast, Wellington, Auckland, Napier, Rotorua, Dunedin, Bay of Islands, Abel Tasiman Park, Nelson. And the list goes on! Watch for field trips scheduled for midterm breaks.
Lincoln is ideally situated for seeing the South Island. There is also student standby service with Air New Zealand which offers seats at half price. Do not get an ISIC card. No one in New Zealand accepts them or even knows what they are. . There are discounts available for Youth Hostel Association members on the trains. The Youth Hostel Association is very worthwhile to join. There are about 50 Youth Hostels all over New Zealand. Membership fee is $24 and it costs about $15 cash a night to stay in the hostels. Most hostels have showers, beds, and cooking facilities, and there are usually a good bunch of people there to meet.
There are many places to go backpacking and hunting on the South Island and skiing is expensive. (Mount Hutt lift tickets are around $38 and rentals about $25.) For tramping, join the Alpine club to get reduced ratesfor equipment hire. Check with the Recreation Centre on campus for good deals.
There have also been many cases where we have been invited into peoples' homes for a meal and bed while we were traveling. It is a good way to meet people.
Traveling is very expensive! Even by bus, it adds up quickly! While traveling is expensive, hostelling is extremely inexpensive (beds $20-$30 a night). Hitchhiking is a popular mode of transportation in New Zealand, but it is not too dependable if you have a tight time schedule. It is advised that women travel with partners, but this reduces your chances of getting a ride. [OIP advises students to avoid hitchhiking-it can cost you your life!]
Acdemic Life (Top)
The Academic System
Lincoln's academic program is based upon the British model of university studies. This means that there is little emphasis on regurgitation of facts, but more emphasis on the combining of factual knowledge with a solid grasp of basic principles. Students are expected to follow lectures carefully, supplement lecture courses with both directed and independent reading and observation, and then to integrate the information obtained into a useful body of knowledge. The method of evaluation reflects these expectations. Rather than to break the learning process up into several discrete blocks and then use quizzes, papers, or tests to evaluate each block, the tendency is to combine and integrate the material presented and wait until the end of each semester, or each year, to give one grand examination, testing the whole of your intellectual progress in each particular subject studied. These examinations are usually essay and may be 40-70% of your final grade.
Each lecture requires more "out of class" study time. Don't get behind because it is much harder to catch up than at home! There will be lots of projects to do.
Adapting to the New Zealand instructional philosophy is at once the most challenging and the most rewarding aspect of the year. The key to success is an active involvement in your studies, being self-motivated in achieving the fullest possible understanding of the subjects studied. While the value of these qualities is not unknown in California universities, they receive considerably more attention in New Zealand. Instructors expect you to speak up and state your disagreement, but be warned that if you do, be prepared to support your argument with up-to-date scientific material. While ridicule is too strong a word, some instructors will verbally cut a student down during lectures. Kiwi students do not partake in class discussions even when the lecturer tries to initiate them. All class discussions are with international students.
Third year courses in the sciences require a large amount of research-type work (Universities are only 3 years).Most of the reading is in scientific journals and a large number of essays are required. Full scale research projects are also required of third year students. These involve actually designing and running a scientific experiment, analysis, and interpreting the results. If the project is good, there may be an opportunity to publish the results. Fourth year work here is very similar to graduate work in the States. It is difficult, but because the classes are usually year long, there is time to adjust to the new system and a great deal will be learned in the process. Don't be surprised if there are some changes in the courses offered. You may have to adjust your original advising plan. Pass on any concerns to OIP so they can work with your advisor.
Grades and Scheduling
Grade inflation has not yet reached New Zealand. It is still generally true that average work there receives average recognition, and a grade of C is not a dishonor. Most students strive for it. It's very hard to get 80-100-a lot of work is required! The Office of International Programs is responsible for final determination of grades awarded to participating students, but do not depend on this adjustment in order to pass. The scale provided below, therefore, may not accurately reflect the grade of any particular student based upon the percentage ranges indicated. The scale is provided, however, to illustrate the rather different grading practices in operation in universities in New Zealand:
| A+= | 80-100 | Excellent | |
| A= | 75-79 | ||
| A-= | 70-74 | ||
| B+= | 67-69 | Very Good | |
| B= | 63-66 | ||
| B-= | 60-62 | ||
| C+= | 56-59 | Satisfactory-Good | |
| C= | 50-55 | ||
| C-= | 47-49 | ||
| D= | 40-46 | Unsatisfactory | |
| E= | Below39 | Poor |
Lincoln University is on the semester system, some classes are yearlong. At the end of the semester there are finals for each class, which are usually essay exams lasting 2-3 hours. These will count from one-half to three-fourths of your final grade. You can expect a little to a lot of outside work required for your courses, including several essays and supplemental reading.
The classes themselves meet between 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. The class schedule and rooms where they are held are not systematically arranged. For example, a class may meet at 9:30 a.m. in Room 4 on Monday, 11:40 a.m. in Room 15 on Wednesday, and have a three hour lab starting at 3:40 p.m. on Friday. The teachers may occasionally decide among themselves to add an extra lab or lecture. It can be very confusing-classes change and move all the time! It will take some time to get used to the system.
By American standards, students are sometimes outright rude during lectures. They walk on desk tops and chairs to get to specific seats without batting an eye. Students may be rude, but lecturers get very upset if you are late. Except prior to exams, skipping of lectures and labs occurs commonly. If students know an unpopular lecturer will teach on a specific day, class attendance may be quite small.
Registration
Registering for classes was very easy. They have advisors to walk you through the process. Make sure that if you decide to add or drop a class, that the paperwork is complete and turned into the right people. People I know came back to the States to find out the paper work wasn't done and their transcripts were messed up. Be prepared to pay extra required fees for field trips and student associations during registration. Extra fees at registration generally come out to about $800.
Atmosphere
One IP student felt a major difference between Lincoln and a CSU campus was the size. Lincoln has a small-town atmosphere where everyone knows everyone else, and it was not uncommon for students to have a drink with their instructors at the local pub. The student also noted that although the academic demands are greater in New Zealand, students will return with much better study and writing skills.
Field Trips
Lincoln makes good use of field trips. The field trips can be only a day trip or up to a week in length. The holidays are often used for field trips. Students need to be sure to budget money for this expense as it is not included in the prepaid program costs. They can cost as much as $500-$1000NZ, but definitely worth it. Despite the additional expenses for course-related field trips, students agree that they are worth the expense. Because the number and length of trips depend on which courses you enroll in, it is hard to give an exact rundown on costs.
Money and Banking (Top)
It is good to keep your own bank account from home open, so people in the states can deposit your financial aid, etc. directly. Opening up a free student account in New Zealand is easy. People mainly pay by using eftpos (ATM debit). Make sure that when you withdraw from your bank account at home to deposit into your NZ account, you take out large amounts, rather than little sums at a time. The international ATM fees can add up!
There are many different banks in New Zealand and all have many branches throughout the country. Most operate very similarly to American banks and savings and loans. One of the four major banks in New Zealand, ASB Bank has an office actually on the Lincoln University campus. The Post Office Savings Bank is also on campus. Open an account as soon as you get here. Bank of New Zealand is recommended by former IP students, but is located in Lincoln Town. They gave us the best service. They are very helpful when you are waiting for money from home, too. American checks take three weeks to clear so bring traveler's checks to get started. The Post Office Savings Bank is convenient in that you can withdraw money from any Post Office in New Zealand. If you have Bank of America back home you can take money out of Westpac atm’s for no extra charge.
Most items in general cost twice as much here. Example: Levi jeans $120NZ. One frozen chicken $8-$10NZ. Prepare yourself for this. Cheese is ridiculously expensive. Recent improvements in the currency exchange rate has closed the gap somewhat.
There was also general agreement that travelers checks are the best form in which to bring dollars, for safety, flexibility, and a more favorable exchange rate. Last year's group recommended $3000 for the year. Watch the exchange rate before you come to New Zealand.
What to Bring (Top)
Former students recommend bringing:
There is some difference of opinion on whether to bring a bicycle with you. One view advises against it, because you will encounter problems transporting such a bulky item, you may have to pay excess baggage charges, you do not receive assistance in carrying it, and you must do the same thing in reverse when you come home, when you would rather be traveling light.
If you love to mountain bike-defiantly bring one! Bring a decent bike, but one that you can sell before you leave. Getting a bike to New Zealand is only about $80.00 because of baggage allowances from the states, but getting it home is very expensive. Having a bike gave new ways to explore, live off campus and join the Mt. bike club. Great riding on the Pot Hills-very close! Besides, if you sell a bike from the states you can get good money for it.
Pack light. New Zealand is not about making a fashion statement--bring clothing you don't mind wearing out. There is in fact no fashion standards in New Zealand. You can wear anything and you will fit right in. Kiwi’s never match! Three summer outfits and three winter outfits to wear regularly is plenty. Plus warm layers for time spent camping/tramping.
There's no way to be completely organized, and you'll no doubt wish at some stage that you had brought or not brought something-but that's part of the fun! In fact, bringing an open mind and a lot of curiosity with you may be the most important thing of all. We hope you learn a lot and make the most of your experience at in New Zealand!
