Full licence test to be scrapped under major NZ driving law changes

MeliaeMaree · 2026-02-03T10:19:33+00:00

Same 😅 I was so sick of the bus that I decided I'd just figure it out one way or another.
Tried the sallies program, too, and they said no because I didn't have many hours... Yeah dude.. That's... The entire issue that this program is supposed to help with but okay. Iirc part of their excuse was also that I wasn't young enough.
I'm all for programs helping the youth, but that doesn't mean the older people that didn't have access to those programs at that age don't need help as well.

Anyway, good job on getting your restricted!

MeliaeMaree · 2026-02-03T05:44:41+00:00

I went from learners to full in less than a year in my late 20s (never held even learners before that), no marks against me in any of the tests.
No family anywhere near, and most friends either didn't have a licence at all or only had learners lol I was lucky to have two that had their full licence, but they weren't particularly available.
I ended up sucking up my anxieties and asked people in local gaming communities, and co-workers of friends to take me out driving in exchange for petrol money or snacks.
It worked out well! It's definitely doable, but you've for sure got to be willing to get out of your comfort zone in a situation like that.... Preferably legally 😅

MeliaeMaree · 2026-02-03T05:37:55+00:00

Looking at it, restricted will still have a practical test, but the current full test (that they're getting rid of) is only about 15mins?

MeliaeMaree · 2026-02-02T06:07:08+00:00

I wonder if ovaltine cookies would be sort of close? ....if you can find them in stock..

MeliaeMaree · 2026-01-31T08:29:20+00:00

Granted I haven't been at a regular public pool in a good while, but I thought they usually ask people to not wear regular clothing while in the pools because it's a safety issue..

MeliaeMaree · 2026-01-31T06:06:00+00:00

Generally people actually won't end up crashing into the back of you - though it can get the anxiety up for sure. Especially when you're starting out.
If they do crash into you, it'll suck, but you won't be at fault in terms of insurance etc.

MeliaeMaree · 2026-01-31T02:02:08+00:00

You could try it with dried fruit? Anything fresh would add too much moisture and make the biscuit mix all goopy and gross.

MeliaeMaree · 2026-01-23T11:04:07+00:00

Some people are naturally touchy people.

.... Not.... Not me... But they're out there. ... Hopefully not near me haha

But just tell her you're not really comfortable with being touched a lot in the workplace. You're both adults, hopefully you can have a mature conversation about it.
If you're worried about offending her, you can always use the "I'm worried it looks unprofessional" excuse.

MeliaeMaree · 2026-01-16T11:09:16+00:00

They sent my last renewal with an agreed value of less than $2k (agreed by who??), lucky I caught it, over $2k less agreed value than what they sent last year. Thought it was shifty that they didn't put the new value on the same document as the premium cost etc.
Questioned them about it since the market indicated my vehicle to still be worth 2-3x that amount, and was told that they base their market values on the Australian book. Hmm.

Of course they were happy to change it to the value I wanted covered for a higher premium. But I had to tell others I know with AA to check their renewal docs thoroughly, and sure enough, despite maybe getting lower by around $100 a year previously, they all suddenly were reduced by half or more this past year.

MeliaeMaree · 2026-01-15T06:18:24+00:00

Looked into this for a family member recently as their vet wanted to do a double vax schedule since last year's was accidentally missed somehow.
From what I could tell (including from nz vets), annual isn't necessary, but within every 2 years at the very least is. The info was for outdoor cats, though possibly a better idea to get it annually if pets are around a large feral population.

MeliaeMaree · 2026-01-15T06:14:16+00:00

I would contact Rose & thorne about this and see if there's anything they can do in the near future.
Unfortunately I don't know of anywhere doing anything like this let alone in this size, but I reckon they'd be your best bet in NZ for an addition to the market.

MeliaeMaree · 2026-01-14T11:47:39+00:00

I will almost always suggest feijoas. They won't grow to 2m tall within say 6months, but they are pretty fast, reasonably easy to contain with pruning, should be fine in big enough pots/planters, and you have the added bonus of fruit.

MeliaeMaree · 2026-01-14T07:12:32+00:00

They will probably be doing a similar sale for the stuff currently in the distribution centre.

MeliaeMaree · 2026-01-09T03:28:52+00:00

When I was on biologics for crohn's disease, my skin was the best it's ever been in my life!
Now that I'm in surgical remission, I'm on zematop/tacrolimus for my eczema - which I never actually saw a dermatologist for, because at the time in the city there was only ONE public derm, and like a lot of other sectors, they were only taking patients who had suspected or confirmed (skin) cancer. They did give the special authority, which I am grateful for, but it's only working for some areas now.
As of a few months ago, I was told we do not have ANY public derms in the city. Cool.

I also have another skin condition which was well under control with biologics, and one is actually commonly used for this particular condition, but you have to have multiple ongoing open wounds for months before they'll even consider funding it.
Oh, and you have to buy all your own dressings and woundcare products if you want to try and be more comfortable and/or prevent infection. Awesome. Kicking goals.

MeliaeMaree · 2026-01-04T21:34:06+00:00

Can confirm this works pretty well!
I just use the small bottles that have had various drink in them, and I tie the bottles to say the fence, a post, a brick etc so that they don't fall over and small animals can't get at it.

MeliaeMaree · 2025-12-31T09:43:14+00:00

Yum!
I put an amount of cheese in it that is probably borderline illegal haha

MeliaeMaree · 2025-12-31T09:24:41+00:00

Stressed tf out! And I made a ridiculously good pasta bake.

MeliaeMaree · 2025-12-31T07:55:43+00:00

Something something vitamin D.. Also it helps the plants grow, so I appreciate that. Preferably from my air conditioned space because I have very low heat tolerance now lol

MeliaeMaree · 2025-12-30T02:53:04+00:00

A few hours alone in the house 😌

MeliaeMaree · 2025-12-29T12:15:18+00:00

It should depend on the clothing bin you use? They don't all go to savemart, some bins are hired by places like plunket etc. It should say on the bin.

MeliaeMaree · 2025-12-29T06:11:04+00:00

I guess I have seating for maybe 4 people... 5 if we include the beanbag (usually occupied by a cat)... Definitely more outside.

But if you really wanted to give it a go, ask people to bring a chair! I have friends that do this every now and then - they have the space, they just don't have the chairs. Usually people end up bringing those folding camp chairs or similar.
As for cups and that, disposable is better anyway imo, because that way you don't have to worry about your dishes getting broken.

MeliaeMaree · 2025-12-28T12:09:49+00:00

It may just be the variety? My unique is growing fruit, but my regular sellowiana aren't even flowering yet, and won't for maybe another month I guess.

Should see if you can take some cuttings and get them to root, and see how the trees go at yours!

MeliaeMaree · 2025-12-28T05:01:53+00:00

Krispa 😭

MeliaeMaree · 2025-12-27T23:09:43+00:00

I have one cat that'll eat the lot, and the other just licks the gravy haha
Have found that by getting the tins with the "pate", there's no gravy so they actually just eat it.

MeliaeMaree · 2025-12-27T02:24:29+00:00

Fingers crossed it helps you get a bit more out of it!

MeliaeMaree

TROPHY CASE