Kiwi available for feedback etc

[oakuradunn]

Hey everybody,
I'm a kiwi in Taranaki NZ, and I thought if anybody wanted some honest feedback & possible answers etc from a kiwi, go ahead and ask.
I can't give any feedback regarding immigration isues, but if you want some non tourism B.S from a kiwi who knows our country (warts and all) very well, then feel free to ask.

Cheers
Mike Dunn

[netchicken]

Me too!
I'm in Christchurch, so you get a broard range then :)

Just ask away...

I'm in the extremely early stages of planning my move to NZ. I'm in the US and already own a couple of bikes. I'm curious about licensing rules, but also about allowable modifications, noise restrictions or other bits I may not find on web-sites, etc. My primary bike is a Honda (built in the US) and has been modified from its "stock" configuration.
I use the bike as my primary transportation method - mostly because it's cheaper to operate than a car.
I'm also curious about diesel cars... how prevalent/available are the VW diesels?
Sorry... there's so many questions, at this point... I just don't have a clear view of ANYTHING yet!
Thanks for your response!

Hi Grinch,
One snippet of information you would need to consider is that driving diesel cars in NZ attracts a levy for the extra polution they create. On the flipside, diesel is also a much cheaper fuel!

At risk of contradicting myself, there are plans in NZ to upgrade their diesel fuel as it is still a heavy polutant (something like 500 micrograms of something per whatever instead of the 50 micrograms found elsewhere in the world! Sorry i'm missing the science bit, just cant remember!) so things may have changed again by the time you get there!

That was a bit of a full circle answer :)

Hey Taffy,
Thanks for the reply! The US is in the process of changing the diesel formula, as well... I think it's the sulfur content you were thinking of. It's the prime suspect in the way of pollutants in diesel fuel. There's also a push to incorporate so-called "bio-diesel" (They refine it from used vegetable oil - mostly from fast-food restaurants). That's why I inquired about the VW diesels... they're being engineered to handle the lower sulfur content diesel fuel AND they're very efficient! Either way, I'm considerably far from the point of moving. I'm trying to get a feel for what I can expect, so I thank you, again, for your reply.
The Grinch
(I'm really not a Grinch, though! :D )

Hi

I left my modified bike back in the UK, honda 72 750/4 hardtail chop.

It depends on how far modified it is, i had probs cause i built the frame myself and didnt have a full engineers report on it.

I now ride an old GPZ 750 which hopefully will be modified!! once i get all the info on what i can and cant do

I will post info as i get it