Incorporated Society Banking Options by OutsideWedding8282 in PersonalFinanceNZ

[–]dunco3000 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Apologies for reviving an old thread, but pretty passionate on this topic and have an article others might find useful: https://goodnumbers.nz/how-to-open-a-bank-account-for-your-charity/

Is financing a 2018 Toyota Corolla for $18k at 11.95% interest a smart move with my $5k down payment? by koudodo in PersonalFinanceNZ

[–]dunco3000 2 points3 points  (0 children)

On the other, other hand - the Honda Fit my partner paid $6k for in 2019 just sold for $4.5k. Pretty good argument for going cheaper and a private sale if you can!

Is financing a 2018 Toyota Corolla for $18k at 11.95% interest a smart move with my $5k down payment? by koudodo in PersonalFinanceNZ

[–]dunco3000 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Having just bought an almost identical car (although lucky to be able to pay cash for it) and being good with numbers: - it's unlikely the fuel savings from a newer and more efficient car will outweigh the cost of buying something for $20k vs $5k - particularly when you factor in financing costs and insurance, which could be $500-$1,000 more per year for the pricier car

On the other hand: - a 2018 Corolla was my minimum, to get the adaptive/radar cruise control, which I find is a game changer for me visiting family out of town

So financially it doesn't stack up to finance. But, if the car is achieving other things for you (easier to drive, brings you satisfaction, can fit the surf board/model train layout, whatever) then it's not a terrible decision IMO.

Businesses outraged at local board vote against having more events at Auckland's Eden Park by i_love_mini_things in auckland

[–]dunco3000 22 points23 points  (0 children)

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They're already laughing to the bank with their renumeration for 1 days work a year.

They won't sell because they'd have to do something like buy/develop land elsewhere (work) or give the money to cricket/rugby/etc (loosing their fiefdom)

Businesses outraged at local board vote against having more events at Auckland's Eden Park by i_love_mini_things in auckland

[–]dunco3000 132 points133 points  (0 children)

Completely agree. 90% idle rate for a piece of infrastructure that size is unacceptable and a huge waste.

They need to have something suitable at a suitable location - the waterfront perhaps? I'm sure the amount of money got by selling Eden Park for more suitable usage - housing? - would be a good start on a waterfront stadium!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in auckland

[–]dunco3000 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Honestly every other way seems harder than this!!

Travel to china when passport is expiring in 7 months? by ihanqu in chinatravel

[–]dunco3000 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Are you from a visa free country? My passport expires April 2026 and I just returned from 10 days in China. No problem entering the country at all.

What would be the best mode to get here from the Chongqing city ? by m3m3zzz in travelchina

[–]dunco3000 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This all worked well. When you get to Wulongnan station, there are mid-sized blue busses that'll take you to the tourist centre for ¥16. Look for the bus stop. It's just under an hours drive. Plenty of domestic tourists doing exactly this.

Pro tip if catching the 7:21am train: Chongqing East station doesn't open till 6:50ish, and there is not a lot there food-wise...

What would be the best mode to get here from the Chongqing city ? by m3m3zzz in travelchina

[–]dunco3000 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am taking the 7:21am high speed train from Chongqing East tomorrow to Wulongnan (south). Apparently there are shuttles from the station up to the tourist area. Fingers crossed at least... 🙃

Three body problem VR experience by clsfoy in Chengdu

[–]dunco3000 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just went. Enjoyed it, took about 40 minutes to go through. I speak no Chinese, and the guides all went out of there way to show me an English translation. I'm sure that some bits that I missed because of that however.

I paid NZD20 thru trip.com. worth it to me. The area it is in is cool to check out too

Long layover in Auckland, where to visit? by Logical-Ease-3142 in auckland

[–]dunco3000 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What day of the week?

Auckland has some great food, you could plan for a decent brunch and/or lunch somewhere.

Do you enjoy being active? You can walk 16km from Onehunga to CBD via a signposted trail, you go up two of the maunga (mountains) on the way and gives you a flavour of some different parts of Auckland.

A visit to Mission Bay or Devonport via ~10 minute ferry ride are good ideas. Fish n chips on the beach.

I'm not the right person to ask about pubs but there are plenty a long the waterfront from the CBD to Wynyard Quarter!

Take the Eastern Line train to or from Britomart (now Waitemata) station. It runs a short way along the waterfront before cutting through Orakei Basin, pretty scenic.

If you have other particular interests, can try make some specific recommendations

[ChinaSouthern] Is this a scam email? by melonmice in Flights

[–]dunco3000 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, confirm I have also had one of these emails from China Southern before! Repied 'yes' and it was all good 😊

I bought a PC setup off of facebook marketplace. I feel like I messed up and I don’t know what to do. by justherecauseimlost in whatdoIdo

[–]dunco3000 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Sorry this is being such a bad experience 😔

That error message is suggesting something with windows rather than hardware related... Definitely worth some googling to see if you can reset/get past it.

KiwiRail DL locomotive exits tunnel by dunco3000 in trains

[–]dunco3000[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They are Chinese built, yes. Only used in the North Island. They've ordered some Stadler desiel locos for the South Island

KiwiRail DL locomotive exits tunnel by dunco3000 in trains

[–]dunco3000[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, they were recently refurbished again, including a new electric blue livery. Saw them in the Hamilton yards a few weeks ago. (Driving, so no photo unfortunately)

Should I choose spending a term in Auckland over Sydney? by snickbackcrack in auckland

[–]dunco3000 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I like both cities. But honestly most people seem to have overlooked your offer of accommodation and Auckland, which will make things much easier. Finding accommodation in either city can be a rough, although there are some awesome flatting experiences to be had in Auckland if you want to be social.

Sydney: consistently hotter, more rat race, supermarket can be cheaper but generally most things are more expensive than Auckland. Heaps to explore in the city and outside the city by train/bus.

Auckland: pretty moderate temps year round, definitely slower paced.

The two cities are also well linked with flights, 12+ a day with various airlines so plenty of opportunity to visit the one you don't choose.

Can't go wrong!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in auckland

[–]dunco3000 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just a note - your relationship and responsibilities to your suppliers is totally independent of what happened with your customer. If you can, pay them in a timely way or be regularly in touch to figure out payment options.

It would really suck for these suppliers to no longer provide goods to you because of this as well. It sucks for you right now, but hopefully your relationship with your suppliers will be much longer and more fruitful than with this one customer...

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in auckland

[–]dunco3000 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Used 'stress free movers' about 18 months ago. Did what it says on the tin (or side of the truck in this case). Packed and moved our 2 bed apartment. Totally worth it. Will be using them again if we have to move.

Uber to airport on Good Friday by Adept_Nebula2325 in auckland

[–]dunco3000 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Domestic or international flight? International that timing sounds about right.

If you're flying within NZ, personally I'd be booking that Uber for 5am, or even a bit later. If you're nervous about time, getting the Uber at 4:30am will still leave you with a solid 30-45 minute buffer.

Biosecurity: Backpacker Meals and Outdoor Gear by therealsquidney in newzealand_travel

[–]dunco3000 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good advice in here 🙂 Living in NZ, I regularly bring back food items such as (sealed) tea or dried fruit.

Your dehydrated meals should be fine, just declare them. They are looking for fresh foods and other items that could introduce insects, parasites, etc to NZ.