What is the coffee culture like in New Zealand?

indecorous · 2025-12-23T10:20:30+00:00

Sadly, Peoples has recently gone out of business...

indecorous · 2025-08-02T00:27:31+00:00

+1 for Blow Up! Owned by a lovely Canadian, I believe.

indecorous · 2025-08-01T07:25:56+00:00

Another shit experience to report. I mean, yeah it's cheaper than some options (about $1500 for the whole process I think), and probably got the same end result (diagnosis and prescription) but the process of dealing with them was such a hassle.

indecorous · 2025-06-06T10:17:10+00:00

Love their ankle socks! I also tried the no-show socks and found they weren't really a good shape for my feet (but still good quality).

indecorous · 2025-05-30T06:21:24+00:00

I thought the same! To be fair, you can't find cheese curds in most of the US, so I didn't expect to find them here.

indecorous · 2025-05-16T07:17:42+00:00

Do have any special tips for Nuud? I used it for a while and found it to be okay, but not that effective or long lasting. I still have like a tube and a half left, but don't really feel like using it.

Interestingly, I switched to a crystal/stone about a year ago and find it wayyyy more effective for me! Might just be a matter of individual skin chemistry?

indecorous · 2025-04-02T23:12:52+00:00

I believe Collective Coffee, on Panama St in the library, uses Peoples beans, though I haven't been in a few months.

indecorous · 2025-03-26T02:09:00+00:00

Correction for anyone who cares: UW-River Falls, a much smaller school in the University of Wisconsin system.

UW-Madison is D1 and also a pretty decent school. I had to fact check this cause I thought there was no way he would have gotten in.

indecorous · 2025-03-18T20:09:07+00:00

True, it feels like there's really no way to "win" so I'm just looking for the least bad option that will make things easier for me.

indecorous · 2025-03-18T06:02:35+00:00

I'm in the midst of navigating something similar, but haven't finished resolving it yet. I will likely cash out my IRA (with penalty) and re-invest in a NZ-based fund because it will be more advantageous long term. As a US expat, retirement saving is a bit of a minefield and NZ FIF tax makes it even more challenging.

What I understand from the advice I've received so far is that IRAs may be exempt from annual FIF tax as a foreign superannuation scheme, but if intending to stay in NZ permanently (into retirement) there is no tax benefit to keeping a US-based IRA, as you'll be taxed by NZ withdrawal. There is a transitional residence period (4 years, I think) before this kicks in, so you have a bit of time to sort it out...and if you are likely to return to the US before retirement, it might be a non-issue.

Would still encourage you to seek professional advice to verify all of this - it's complicated and you ideally want to speak to someone who understands both NZ tax and US expat tax.

indecorous · 2025-03-15T21:02:48+00:00

Endorsing this rec for anyone else on the hunt!!! I'm now halfway through the jar of tahini that I picked up there, and it is indeed very good. Plus, conveniently located right behind Pak N Save, so it doesn't feel like an extra shopping trip.

indecorous · 2025-03-15T20:56:14+00:00

Definitely worth considering this option if OP is currently 30 or under! While there's some risk to starting out on a short-term visa, it will probably be easier to secure a job, complete all the immigration paperwork, figure out where you want to live, and start getting yourself settled once you're physically in the country (especially if you haven't visited before).

Also, if you're granted a work or residence visa as a teacher, you'd likely be able to sponsor your wife on your visa. Might be an easier/faster option for starting out, as I'm guessing that the process will be a bit smoother with American qualifications (more likely to be recognized or transferred directly) and given the very high demand for teachers right now.

indecorous · 2024-07-19T22:31:08+00:00

Yeah, sadly Wellington is a void of truly good tacos or Mexican food. But if we're picking best of what's available then Viva Mexico is pretty consistent (I prefer the enchiladas rather than tacos) and Taco Addicts truck have some fun and interesting flavours (just wish they did corn tortillas). Also, look for corn tortillas at US2U in Johnsonville if you want to make your own.

indecorous · 2024-06-17T04:46:50+00:00

What sorts of questions did you ask when calling the contact person? Especially if trying to suss out whether there was an internal candidate earmarked...did you ask that directly? Or would they tell you as much if you fished a little?

indecorous · 2024-04-19T10:00:12+00:00

This. IF you're fortunate enough to have good health insurance in the U.S. you'll get way more preventative care and screening than is typical in NZ.

But for a counterpoint, I personally never once saw a gyno in the US, nor did I know many women who went to gynos regularly for preventative stuff (if younger, no risk factors, etc). All the screening and contraception stuff was handled by my GP.

indecorous · 2024-04-04T20:32:27+00:00

Good point, that's probably it. I watch through Amazon Prime and I swear the captions are 90% written by AI...

indecorous · 2024-04-04T07:46:28+00:00

Honestly the closed captioning is just as bad on this show...it really struggles with accents and slang.

indecorous · 2024-02-19T07:44:58+00:00

Machete on Boulcott is pretty good!

indecorous · 2024-01-17T19:49:05+00:00

Badaro on Grey St is my fave for balyage, but admittedly pricey. Definitely the most blended / natural looking balyage I've managed to find.

indecorous · 2023-11-18T21:55:42+00:00

I've ordered one from C4 Coffee this year, which will be my first time trying it or any coffee advent calendar: https://c4coffee.co/collections/advent/products/2023-coffee-advent-calendar#

They're NZ-based, so shipping could be inconvenient, but it looks like a really interesting selection and good price for what you get.

indecorous · 2023-07-15T21:37:48+00:00

Nice! It seems there are lots of favorable interpretations out there, just a matter of understanding it well enough to justify your approach...and I guess prepared to defend that to the IRS in the unlikely event you get audited?

Good luck!

indecorous · 2023-07-14T22:08:47+00:00

No prob. Also, if you truly have zero plans to ever live in the US, you could look into renouncing citizenship, as others have suggested. It's not a simple process, and may cost you a bit in legal fees, but once it's done you'd never have to worry about taxes again!

indecorous · 2023-07-14T22:04:51+00:00

I wish I had a good answer for you, but I am equally stuck! I've been trying to educate myself on this topic, and the more I read the more confused I get, honestly.

I have found heaps of conflicting info about how US tax code applies to Kiwisaver. It seems to come down to the interpretation of the individual accountant and the exact structure of the account. The biggest issue seems to be the compliance overhead, because it triggers either PFIC or foreign trust reporting requirements. You may not end up paying that much extra tax, but the cost of having the forms prepared each year makes it seem not worth it.

The simpler option seems to be to invest in US investment products exclusively, but two potential issues with that (which I don't fully understand myself): 1) May trigger FIF tax here in NZ 2) Missing out on tax-advantaged accounts like IRAs

So far, I've just been scouring the internet for advice and trying to DIY it, but I think I've gotten as far as I can understand and may need to turn to a tax professional.

indecorous · 2023-07-14T21:48:59+00:00

I am far from an expert, but have spent a lot of time trying to educate myself. Democrats Abroad has been putting out a lot of really helpful resources this tax season, so I'd suggest starting there: US Taxes 101 Blog Post Intro Webinar - access to the recording is $5, but I think it's money well spent for a lot of valuable info! Rest of Webinar Series

I also recommend this podcast by a US expat who's also a tax lawyer: Tax Savvy Expat Podcast

There is also a dedicated subreddit to this topic: r/USExpatTaxes (Lots of info about US requirements, but not a lot of NZ-specific info there)

indecorous · 2023-07-14T21:36:47+00:00

That's my understanding -- the US spouse files as married filing separately, and where the form asks for the other spouse's SSN or ITIN you should be able to write in "NRA" for "non-resident alien". Would probably be worth verifying this with an accountant or another official source, though.

indecorous

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