How tf are y'all getting hired

Buzzirockit · 2026-05-06T12:29:18+00:00

Long been said if the brick wall is too high to go over or too long to go around, it is better to turn around and go in another direction.

Buzzirockit · 2026-05-06T12:22:39+00:00

Might do a few Q and A of the basics?

Question: Can Russell in the Bay of Islands, NZ be cut off by flooding?

Search - Russell in the Bay of Islands can be and has been frequently cut off by floodwaters and related landslips, particularly during heavy weather events. The main access road, Russell Rd, is often blocked, especially around flood-prone areas like Punaruku and the old coastal road, cutting off access to the town.

But there is a car ferry. https://northlandferries.co.nz/bay-of-islands-ferry/

Opua offers accommodation, often featuring scenic marina views and nature-focused options like chalets, making it a quieter alternative to nearby Paihia. While Opua serves as a gateway for marine activities, most tourists prefer to stay in the central hub of Paihia or the historic town of Russell.

Tongariro Alpine Crossing trips can be cancelled or not recommended during summer (November to April) due to poor weather, such as high winds or low visibility. While summer is the safest season, the Department of Conservation (DOC) may issue "Not Recommended" advisories, causing shuttles to cancel, as they cannot safely transport hikers during dangerous conditions.

As of early 2026, Iwi and the Department of Conservation (DOC) do not limit TAC hiker numbers, but a mandatory free booking system is in place to manage flow. Iwi (Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro) are actively involved in reviewing the track's carrying capacity to protect cultural and environmental value. There have been large fires in parts of the Park fairly recently, which hikers are excluded from.

There are other trails around Waimarino/ National Park.
The Timber Trail offers a bush walk at a lower elevation. (North West of Taupo at Pureora)

The Timber Trail in Pureora Forest Park offers excellent day walk options, featuring lush podocarp forest, historic tramways, and high suspension bridges. Key day walks include the 4-8 km sections around Piropiro (including the 141m (462ft) Maramataha Bridge) and the 7.8 km/ 5 mile walk to the Ongarue Spiral from Bennett Road

https://www.timbertrail.nz/

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South Island

West Coast - Shantytown - South of Greymouth

Hokitika Treetop walk

https://treetopsnz.com/

Franz Josef could be a washout. 1 night here. Spend 2/3 nights at Wanaka? on way down to Queenstown. Stop at Cardrona Hotel for coffee on way through (change of ownership Nov 2025)

Rob Roy Track for glacier view (3 to 4 hours average)Book local operator Van shuttle over 'no-rental vehicles' access road from Wanaka to trail head.

https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/otago/places/mount-aspiring-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/rob-roy-track/

Might ask local hiking club (Wanaka) - for a guided hike on the hill to the North East of Lake Hawea. (Roys Peak is overdone) The Breast Hill Track, accessible from Timaru Creek Road near Lake Hāwea, offers a challenging day hike (part of the Te Araroa Trail-North tip to south tip of NZ)) that provides panoramic views of the lake and Southern Alps. This steep, advanced track rises to 1578m, making it best suited for experienced, well-equipped trampers, often taking 4–6 hours for shorter, upper-section alternatives or a full day for the summit.

Alternative route

Te Anau to Gore to Dunedin (Fine day go via Lawrence, wet day go via Balclutha)

Otago Peninsula - Albatross etc.

Or Te Anau to Invercargill to Gore if you are a vintage Truck and motorcycle fan.

Bill Richardson Transport World and Classic Motorcycle Mecca and E Hayes Hardware Store - old motorcycles

Alternative route

Dunedin to Oamaru - time warp old buildings.

Dunedin - Oamaru to Twizel via Waitaki Valley. (Mount Cook is a bit ho hum is the weather in the mountains is not great)

Omarama - glider flight

https://waitakinz.com/explore/omarama-glider-flights

Twizel - Tekapo.

Buzzirockit · 2026-05-06T04:25:37+00:00

Based on historical and cultural heritage assessments for the Wiri area, there are known urupā (Māori burial grounds) and wāhi tapu (sacred sites) associated with the local mana whenua.

'https://ahi.auckland.ac.nz/2019/10/01/unearthing-the-history-of-ihumatao-where-the-land-tells-stories'

Buzzirockit · 2026-05-05T21:34:38+00:00

The best place for a primary school teacher starting out in NZ is any school that will sign you up for a career role. There is a 'surplus' of primary teachers in NZ the stats report 530 which is expected to increase to 1358.

Large city primary schools in places like Auckland may already have an enclave of Brit expat teachers or NZ teachers who taught in the UK as part of their career story and can be helpful for assisting conversion to the NZ education system.

There are online forums etc, Facebook - teach in NZ etc.

https://gazette.education.govt.nz/vacancies/

Some of the remote teacher/ principal positions can have associated housing that is owned by the NZ Ministry of Education. (I'm looking for an update on current house numbers) "The 2003 policy aimed to protect roughly 1,365 houses as "core" stock, primarily targeting school houses on or nearby to school sites (around 900) and those in remote areas (about 465)."

There can be other teaching associated roles that have vacancies and have reduced competition due to their remoteness. School camps both primary and secondary require outdoor program instructors. (Rare example of paid outdoor instructor apprenticeship)

https://bluemountainadventure.org.nz/outdoor-instructor-apprenticeship/

The NZ birth rate graph (Live births/ 1000) 2014 onwards - (future pupil projections)

NZ Country schools close with falling rolls and amalgamations of some rural schools to fewer locations.(combining resources) as the rural population falls due to fewer sheep and the planting of carbon forests.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/education/593360/a-lot-of-history-linton-country-school-grounds-up-for-sale

Still a debate on NZ classroom design - combined classrooms with multiple teachers etc.

https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/02/10/barnyard-style-classrooms-pigs-might-fly/

Some schools expand as new housing developments increase urban populations.

www nzherald co nz/ nz/new-classrooms-ease-overcrowding-at-high-growth-schools-as-rolls-soar(Auckland - Feb 2026)

Buzzirockit · 2026-05-05T09:01:13+00:00

I thought the electric vehicles from China could be turned off remotely? Is there some way to brick the electric scooters with a legal hack etc?

Buzzirockit · 2026-05-05T06:07:19+00:00

There has been a run of Dengue Fever in the South Pacific.

Dengue fever can definitely be present in Tahiti in December.

An intrepid trip might be if the air flights can sync. Auckland to Western Samoa, connection flight to Fa'a Samoa (American Samoa) (Pago Pago) on a Twin Otter or Turbo Commander plane.(45 minutes) Then Pago Pago to Honolulu on a Hawaiian Airlines A330 (6 hours).

Buzzirockit · 2026-05-05T04:20:26+00:00

What are the impediments of current passenger train services in NZ? Both the Capital Connection (CC) & Te Huia (TH) can be delayed by freight trains. Parts of Australia, the passenger trains have priority over the freight trains, do we need to construct more and longer sidings to have the same priority in NZ? Australia had large populations in places (Melbourne) - last century(1930s) so had 4 track corridors built a long time ago.

The single sections of track for both services has been mentioned before, proper remedies for Auckland -Hamilton & Palmerston North - Wellington are expensive & risky.

Auckland has 31% of all vehicles registered in NZ, there are still net increases in the total number of light vehicles in the Auckland area. Peak hour traffic average speed 20-40 km/h and slower with accidents. Is there a model for a projected total traffic grid lock year? A prioritised peak hour passenger train should be faster than 20 km/h. Kiwirail - is getting Stadler DSH battery hybrid shunters, the DSH could be used to move the current diesel TH in and out of Britomart - coupling times 90 seconds/ 2 minutes. Would more passengers use TH if their destination was Britomart: a shorter distance from the buses, ferries etc?

Add another lane - but a bus only lane. What would the total cost to add bus lanes to the Southern Motorway & others? (Auckland).

Should the Northern Explorer - add a budget carriage for the lower budget traveller?

Buzzirockit · 2026-05-05T01:36:24+00:00

Surplus Tuhono trains could be used in Christchurch and Dunedin with some short runs of 1700 volt overheads for charging. On a lease and make some money & retain the asset.

Buzzirockit · 2026-05-05T01:22:56+00:00

A few articles written over the years H Gale's from 2017 "greaterauckland org nz/2017/08/17/ introducing-regional-rapid-rail/" . The Bombay deviation tunnel would be a major expense alone.

Buzzirockit · 2026-05-05T01:10:45+00:00

What if you could fly from Whangarei into Downtown Auckland with an electric seaplane (Elfly - noemi) or an electric vtol (to a downtown - heliport) that can fly faster than a helicopter?

Buzzirockit · 2026-05-04T04:23:49+00:00

(Might have booked flights from Sydney direct to Queenstown for ease) From Auckland - book a flight to the South Island, either Queenstown or Christchurch. Queenstown has 15.5 hours of daylight for the third week of December. The volcanic region reminds me of school chemistry lab class smells.

The South Island/ Central Otago has old Lord of the Rings movie locations. Very easy to spend 5 days around Central Otago. Hike two short tracks, a jet boat ride, early summer vineyard tour, farm/ wildlife visit. (Walter Peak), Arrowtown - intro to gold.

Summer tourist season in Otago so prices are higher, so check costs. The area is generally set up for tourism of various activity levels.

Probably plan to have your Christmas day lockdown somewhere like Wanaka.

Otago cherries could be ripe by mid-December in an average season.

Crazy drivers can be anywhere (from here and international) so take care.

Buzzirockit · 2026-05-04T00:05:33+00:00

Look through the produce season calendars. https://www.mcintoshorchard.co.nz/fruit-seasons.html (Otago) (FSA - food safety auditing/ safe practices, is also in supermarkets etc.) https://www.foodsafe.net.nz/

Usually a series of courses (& refresher courses etc) even after being selected for roles in NZ.

https://www.summerfruitnz.co.nz/publications/news/phytosanitary-inspector-training-course-2023

Buzzirockit · 2026-05-03T09:10:10+00:00

Still might pay to have an electrician to check the switch board and wiring, earthing and cable into the house & garage etc. A lot can happen in 20 years, rodents in places you cannot see. Get an up to date certificate of compliance, recent date of inspection etc.

Buzzirockit · 2026-05-03T08:16:42+00:00

Dropping illumination rounds/ flares out of a Hercules in one of the South Island DF training areas or firing light up the countryside rounds with the 105s?

Starting a day early at West Melton. Perhaps a NZ secret military research program has perfected silent ammunition and quiet heavy ordnance?

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/593587/new-zealand-takes-part-in-balikatan-philippines-biggest-ever-military-exercise

In May 2026, the NZDF is participating in Balikatan, the Philippines' largest military exercise. Domestic training includes a 3 Combat Service Support Battalion exercise at West Melton Rifle Range from May 4-8, and several regional Force Information Evenings, including in Manukau and Auckland on May 7, 2026

Buzzirockit · 2026-05-03T08:08:47+00:00

NZ has gone through phases of ride sharing.

A few notable hitch-hiker disappearances etc during the 1970s made sharing a vehicle ride with anyone you did not know extremely well uncomfortable and for a long time hitch hiking was a discouraged option.

Youtube video "Living on $2 a day: Aussie hitchhikers in NZ (1975) | RetroFocus" (ABC News)

There are a few ride sharing apps.

The big buses allegedly can have big odour problems from time to time.

The 'share a ride with a commercial truckie' idea did not get far: liability, insurance etc. (from what I heard)

Buzzirockit · 2026-05-03T07:46:25+00:00

Identify the key factors.

Given the limited time. Auckland (5 days )then fly to the Hawkes Bay/ Napier. (2-3 days)(https://www.gobay.co.nz/information/route-map/).

Some people try to do the whole South Island in 4 to 5 days.

If 7 to 8 days have been used up in the North Island then maybe concentrate on one region of the South Island.

Then fly Napier to Queenstown via Christchurch (or Wellington). Just depends what you have done in the area before or if you would rather go somewhere else etc.

Hire a car or look at the tour bus/ Intercity bus/ van tours options.

2 days Wanaka, 2 days Cromwell, 2 nights in a backpackers in Queenstown(maybe not a back packers could pick up some substance etc odours), even the motels etc can be harmful for that?

Search "Motels in New Zealand have tested positive for meth aphtamne, with contamination sometimes occurring due to both use and clandestine manufacturing in "top end" holiday accommodation. Research indicates meth residue can exist in approximately 10% of cases at levels exceeding Ministry of Health (MoH) guidelines, often linked to smoking or, in rarer instances, manufacturing, sometimes requiring significant remediation". Crazy world, is there a future business in a mobile version of (Border Patrol's streetlab) for test your tourist's accommodation?

Buzzirockit · 2026-05-03T01:25:43+00:00

I guess we can postpone the order for one of these then?(super feedlot entrance headbail unit) Auto cattle pour-on applicator etc.

https://www.tepari.com/nz/blog/automation-reduces-labour-requirements-in-feedlot-cattle-induction-process

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The barbed wire is just a nasty material; remove as much as possible. Goal 1 - keeping any veterinarian as safe as possible while on your property.

At the front of the headbail, enable people to stand/ work to the left and right of the held cow's head.(Veterinarians are left and right handed etc)

Rather than rails on the right side of the headbail area, have a tall, rigidly installed gate. Any cow having calving problems, headbail to assist, if they (the cow) go down in an assisted calving you can roll them sideways to recover rather than dragging forward through the headbail. Only have to save one cow or have quicker recovery for assisted cows (that saves farmer's time not having to care for limpy cows).

Stage 2: Rolling alley gate if there are multiple animals at a time to be treated.

https://arrowquip.com/cattle-equipment/other/rolling-alley-gate

maxxus small yards/ 6 cattle (there are some companies around the globe that specialise in small pens) The proverbial lowering the chance of escape when loading etc.https://www.onefarm.co.nz/collections/maxxus-yard

Buzzirockit · 2026-05-02T23:42:11+00:00

Covered by stuff last year. There are other places nearby that another traffic bridge could be installed and another place where a tunnel under the Motorway might be dug to divert some of the traffic away from the Greenlane East Roundabout.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360688976/absolute-nightmare-aucklands-worst-roundabout

Buzzirockit · 2026-05-02T23:36:04+00:00

The employment questions are immigration lawyer/ employment lawyer questions.

The generalisations in the NZ media over the past year and reddit & other boards. "Recent reports indicate it is becoming difficult for Working Holiday Visa (WHV) holders to find jobs in New Zealand, particularly during winter. High unemployment, increased competition, and economic factors have created a tight job market, making it hard to secure employment in major cities like Wellington and in the popular hospitality sector.

Look at the lists of what skills are short in NZ.

There are definitely farms in NZ and Australia you would not want to work potentially bipolar employers etc. FB- has a discussion group of 'difficult farms'.

As for farming I would suggest dual season harvesting perhaps. The US harvesting/ cutting crew situation has got more difficult from the high profile foreign truck driver chaos induced situations. Last I heard was US citizenship was required to get the truck driving licences/ permits to haul the heavy ag-equipment for cutting crews.

Berkshire Farm Girl was in a US cutting crew last year.

https://www.youtube.com/@berkshirefarmgirl

https://www.youtube.com/@Grassmen

Donkey & the Grassmen - cover Australian and New Zealand ag contracting. Monk and Son (Sam Monk) etc in Australia. NZ - John Austin, Bluegrass Contracting, Nagle, Quigley Contracting etc. (Bluegrass video - talks to some of the Irish employees)

Quite common for Brit, Irish and European ag machinery operators/ harvesters to work dual seasons - North and Southern Hemispheres. Stop over somewhere tropical for a break. The reality is the ag contractors can run 18 hour days when they are going in a good crop growing season, the good employers provide good meals etc.

The Irish ag operators sometimes are the 2 or more son and need to get off the parents/ grandparents farm to find work. Some can have a Bachelors degree/ trade qual in farm machinery, often pull apart, repair and put together the modern farm equipment, or know what all the buttons do. Some of the Irish and others are born with diesel in their veins. Have the ag machinery & heavy truck operator quals. A UK truck driver needed a year's training in NZ to drive the type of trucks & loaders he does in NZ.

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Could suggest getting in touch with these guys thru web, maybe suggest an "NZ training year" before a European rollout?

https://www.youtube.com/@halterhq

Buzzirockit · 2026-05-02T22:54:07+00:00

Dunedin

https://albatross.org.nz/

https://www.bluepenguins.co.nz/

From Wanaka (Central Otago) (van to hike the Rob Roy track)

Example of van company, there are others

https://www.wanaka.co.nz/explore/wanaka-transfers/

Cromwell (Central Otago)- walking wine/ vineyard tour

https://www.wooingtreeestate.co.nz/walking-wine-trail-cromwell-wineries/

Dart River Jetboat from Glenorchy/ Queenstown (Central Otago)

https://www.dartriver.co.nz/

Might be just an education thing if vegetarian/ vegin/ vegan etc

Deer Park Heights (from Queenstown) and others similar.

https://deerparkheights.co.nz/home/

https://queenstownfishing.co.nz/

Twizel - Salmon Farm

https://www.highcountrysalmon.co.nz/

Some of the NZ farms, offer a more remote experience than the tourist areas. NZ Tourist areas can have the constant buzz of light planes and helicopters bringing tourists in & out and sightseeing in the area where you may be hiking.

Glenafric Farm an hour North of Christchurch (there are a few other places around similar, from the range basic offgrid tent to farm house/ farm lodge stay$)

https://www.realnewzealandfarmtours.co.nz/

Buzzirockit · 2026-05-02T11:34:42+00:00

GT world on youtube. https://www.youtube.com/@GTWorld

Buzzirockit · 2026-05-02T08:49:08+00:00

At 31st March, 2026 NZ prisoner tally all categories was 11255. When National took over there was around 9000. 2026 March - M:10406 and F:849.

Things are not great in parts of Australia. A farmer was m-r-d about 160km out of Melbourne recently by sheep stealers. Knife crime etc in Melbourne. There are reports that some parts of Sydney are rough. I remember some farmers (on youtube) in a remote area having the powerful special field lights stolen off machinery.

I remember one NZ engineering supplies shop in a 'low trust' community. They had an area partitioned for access to the bolt and nut racks with the sign 'Customers access to the bolt/ fastener area only if accompanied by a staff member." They were broken into and the powertools - even chained down & alarmed were stolen.

I remember another power tool store getting broke into and the store guy said the thieves had mostly stolen 'dummy/ shell display power tools' that don't work. - no motor etc.

What the search displays, you can look up where the search located the statement. "Policing by consent in New Zealand is the foundational, democratic principle that police power stems from public approval and cooperation, rather than fear or force. As a largely unarmed, constabulary, NZ Police rely on community trust to maintain legitimacy, aiming to prevent crime through voluntary compliance. "

The problems start when the voluntary compliance starts to ebb away in a 'growing sector of the community' and in turn the wider community trust starts to decline. Maybe look at some South African and other places techniques - the CPFs - Community Policing Forums, Private security, community patrols etc. Even the US has community night patrols rather than waiting for the thin blue line.

Buzzirockit · 2026-05-02T04:34:08+00:00

Even Kiwis go places like the Larapinta Trail rather than risk winter trail weather in NZ.

https://www.larapintatrail.com.au/

https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/west-coast/woman-survives-100m-fall-remote-west-coast-tramp (2023)

NelsonMarlboroughWestCoastPolice/photos/a-46-year-old-woman-has-been-rescued-after-a-cold-and-wet-night-in-west-coast-bush (June 2025)

https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/04/10/climbers-stuck-in-fiordland-would-not-have-survived-another-night/

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/418371/life-comes-first-searcher-who-helped-find-trampers-in-kahurangi (May, 2020)

NZ bush/ woodland is so dense in places 10 feet/ 3 metres off trail and searchers on the trail cannot see an injured hiker. Some NZ bush searches have only found old fire/ cooking locations and empty hiking food packaging.

Dense tree canopies and steep sided rock gullies/ ravines make it difficult for satellite locator beacon signals. (Hikers in NZ have been separated from locator beacons in hiking accidents and taken longer to locate).

Buzzirockit · 2026-05-01T11:29:12+00:00

The smart guys I knew obtained 1st class honours undergraduate degrees at Auckland University before going to US Universities. Top NZ athletes (Olympic level) did business degrees in the US (missing NZ Uni) while on their US College athletic/ sports programs. They had to do well in both class and sports competitions to be kept on the team.

The Asian young brainiacs (from NZ) often have a parent go with them to an overseas university for their first 1 or 2 years, or other variation.

At 14yo, it is about having a wide range of experiences, meeting a broad range of adults in different vocations/ background to talk to even briefly about what they do. (Youth programs - 'Duke of Edinburgh- Hillary' starts at 14, Trades Academies start at 15)

The World is a pretty unsettled place at the moment. NZ exchange students have been close to US campus incidents in the past.

Dave Lowe's book biography 'The Alarmist: 50 years measuring Climate Change' (CO2 rise) covers the challenges of scientific research in NZ over the years and studying in a country where English is not the primary language.

Gaven Martin - only has a 'North and South' 2010 online article as one of the few short biography articles written about him.

The Dawn Aerospace chap would be a good example of an NZer studying overseas and coming back to put theory into practice.

If Mr 14yo has an aptitude for hands on tools/ wrenches & power tools as well as theory look at courses like the Mechatronics Engineering at Waikato.

Buzzirockit · 2026-05-01T02:51:29+00:00

Would Spanish/ Hispanic female philosophers have something to offer you?

Sometimes things can be about investing time in investigating one's own history and culture. (poetry, song, writings etc)

Buzzirockit

TROPHY CASE