New Zealand or Bust

[funflair]

funflair I thought of you this evening as I drove home to Nelson from Blenheim because we got stuck behind a Maui that insisted on doing 20kph under the speed limit all the way over the hills. There was nowhere to overtake and there was a queue of trucks and cars behind him and he wouldn't pull over. Then I remembered your problems with the Maui and thought I ought to take pity on him because his cutlery drawer was probably falling out every time he went around a bend!
BTW, some believe that fantails are the spirits of the departed. I often have fantails keeping me company in the garden. They're interested in the bugs that are eating my veggies so I'm happy to see them.

wasn’t me, I try to keep up to the 90 kph limit but when I get cars behind I look for somewhere to pull over, a couple of times today I have dived straight into the left lane of a two lane bit just to have most of the cars follow me, eased my conscience if nothing else, re fantails we were spurred on to book this trip after losing too many friends over the last couple of years so hopefully their spirits are with us

 

[funflair]

StillGoing I was interested to read your observations about the Maui you picked up in Brisbane and did a little Googling to see who manufactures the Australian Maui's. As far as I can make out they are all made by Action in Hamilton, NZ. I think Action may be a new branding for the old Kea, but I could be wrong. I have only started seeing Action-built motorhomes on New Zealand roads in the last year or so.
I was also interested to read the reviews on Trip Advisor about Maui. They rate very poorly in NZ with most people giving them a rating of just 2.
After funflair 's experience I certainly won't be recommending them to anyone.

Ours is just under 2 years old has action badge on the back and KIA branding inside.

 

[jongood]

StillGoing I was interested to read your observations about the Maui you picked up in Brisbane and did a little Googling to see who manufactures the Australian Maui's. As far as I can make out they are all made by Action in Hamilton, NZ. I think Action may be a new branding for the old Kea, but I could be wrong. I have only started seeing Action-built motorhomes on New Zealand roads in the last year or so.
I was also interested to read the reviews on Trip Advisor about Maui. They rate very poorly in NZ with most people giving them a rating of just 2.
After funflair 's experience I certainly won't be recommending them to anyone.

I think its a real shame NZ authorities wont lighten up a bit with their import restrictions so you could get a better choice of motorhomes. That and the tax rates make it a very protectionist market which is not good for the consumer.

 

[Northernraider]

I've only just found this thread I'll have to go back and start from beginning

 

[funflair]

I think its a real shame NZ authorities wont lighten up a bit with their import restrictions so you could get a better choice of motorhomes. That and the tax rates make it a very protectionist market which is not good for the consumer.

Hi Jon, there are a few Laika, Dethleff, Benimar etc here not to mention the British caravans although a Kiwi we were talking with on South Island said that they had a habit of falling apart due to the NZ roads which to be fair “take no prisoners”.

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[Silver-Fox]

Sue was very into Villa Maria when we visited so we called in there for a little fortification. We were surprised to find the same wine was well over 50% more expensive than Morrisons, when we asked why we were told it was buying power. I understand buying power but still don't really see how shipping it halfway round the world and paying tariffs (2017) could make it cheaper. I suppose the simple answer is most things in NZ are more expensive.

I found the same with a wine I liked, don’t normally drink wine, that goes with cheeses or pudding.

It’s called Sweet Agnes if that’s your think.
I used to have some with my cheese and crackers when stopping at lunch time when in NZ

Cheaper to buy in Waitrose over here

 

[Silver-Fox]

There was nowhere to overtake and there was a queue of trucks and cars behind him and he wouldn't pull over.

Every opportunity to pull over I did so if people were behind us.

Most of the time you got a toot from the other driver

It’s only fair if you are dawdling along

 

[funflair]

Every opportunity to pull over I did so if people were behind us.

Most of the time you got a toot from the other driver

It’s only fair if you are dawdling along

Nearly always a toot or a hazard flash, I let one past today and they pulled straight off right did a 360 and came in behind us, Jen said it’s nice to follow someone who knows the roads little did they know I was just judging the corners off the sat nav, a bit like pace notes

 

[Two on Tour]

Nearly always a toot or a hazard flash, I let one past today and they pulled straight off right did a 360 and came in behind us, Jen said it’s nice to follow someone who knows the roads little did they know I was just judging the corners off the sat nav, a bit like pace notes

I've been giving both a toot and hazard flash to MH's when they pull over for others to pass, likely we have passed you then at some point then.

 

[Silver-Fox]

I've been giving both a toot and hazard flash to MH's when they pull over for others to pass, likely we have passed you then at some point then.

Was that you that overtook, did a 360, then dropped back in behind

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[jongood]

Hi Jon, there are a few Laika, Dethleff, Benimar etc here not to mention the British caravans although a Kiwi we were talking with on South Island said that they had a habit of falling apart due to the NZ roads which to be fair “take no prisoners”.

Thats the Kiwi go to! yes there are some rough roads but most are no rougher than the roads we see in UK? I would back a decent german mh make over the stuff they have any day

 

[KiwiKampers]

Kiwis are always criticising the European motorhome brands and for a long time I believed them, but having driven my Autotrail over 72,000kms of NZ roads, many of which were gravel and not tar sealed, I can’t fault mine. Relatives and friends also have European vans and they’re not complaining either.
In some cases, I think the Kiwis who bad-mouth European vans have envy and are driving converted old Japanese buses and old-fashioned NZ-made motorhomes that haven’t changed design for decades. Just my opinion.

 

[KiwiKampers]

I've only just found this thread I'll have to go back and start from beginning

Northernraider I’d love you to bring Doc and the dogs over here.

 

[funflair]

Moved again and now at Hamilton so even closer to Auckland airport, tomorrow is our last full day and I am being allowed to visit Zion motorhomes who are a N+B and Morelo dealer, they also rent out European vans

A few weeks ago somebody told us the best thing about Hamilton is the gardens so they have been thoroughly done, the enclosed bit that you pay $20 for is split into different areas, Japan, China, Herb, traditional etc etc,

The above are in no particular order,

I thought the above quote was quite pertinent to our travels

This was the surrealist offering,

Spot the gardener

 

[funflair]

And for the avid readers amongst us, sorry I have never heard of Katherine Mansfield and "the garden party"

I don't know how the party went as that seemed to be the end of the story, the next garden that was supposed to link was on the theme of the magic flute which went "whoosh" right over our heads

Anyway ? yes the gardens were lovely we also had on the radar that we might go to the classic car museum and 50's jukebox diner but it didn't happen this trip, next time possibly (you can park overnight) https://classicsmuseum.co.nz/

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[nicholsong]

Martin

You seemed to go quickly from the Picton ferry to Singapore. I thought the original plan was to have 10 days on N. Island before flying out. Presumably you are saving rest of N. Island for next trip - when?

 

[Two on Tour]

Martin

You seemed to go quickly from the Picton ferry to Singapore. I thought the original plan was to have 10 days on N. Island before flying out. Presumably you are saving rest of N. Island for next trip - when?

What makes you think that they are in Singapore now ?

 

[funflair]

Martin

You seemed to go quickly from the Picton ferry to Singapore. I thought the original plan was to have 10 days on N. Island before flying out. Presumably you are saving rest of N. Island for next trip - when?

We did 10 days North Island before heading South Geoff, now back on North Island for a few days but ultimately working our way to Auckland and the airport, Singapore was a few nights on the way out and will be a few hours layover on the way back.

 

[Two on Tour]

We did 10 days North Island before heading South Geoff, now back on North Island for a few days but ultimately working our way to Auckland and the airport, Singapore was a few nights on the way out and will be a few hours layover on the way back.

We have got a fair bit of catching up to post on the thread as to our visit to date, but it's been fairly full on each day and buggered by the evening.
Been a few days around Devonport and Auckland, but heading further up north on North Island today for the next week or so.

 

[funflair]

We have got a fair bit of catching up to post on the thread as to our visit to date, but it's been fairly full on each day and buggered by the evening.
Been a few days around Devonport and Auckland, but heading further up north on North Island today for the next week or so.

We missed everything North of Auckland, I have a feeling we might have to come back and do it properly, photos please

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[Fidge]

We like Oamaru it has some interesting shops and buildings, we were going to do the Steampunk museum this morning but we had a late start due to it chucking it down, we did have a walk dow Holmes Wharf and when the family at the end moved away we got a bit of a shock
View attachment 1026445
It might look like it's sleeping in the photo but it was actually having a good scratch, I have a feeling it's a regular visitor looking at the stain on the wooden planking, this is a fur seal judging by the doggy looking snout and long whiskers.


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There is a nice needlecraft and wool place that we had to visit KayeB would understand and indeed I took these pictures of a quilt just for her the workmanship looked very good to me but what do I know?, it was a bit like a shared space where different crafts people could show and sell their wares, the lady we were speaking to was from Leeds originally and spun and hand dyed wool.

And then there was another craft place but Oops it had a motor museum out the back

View attachment 1026430
Stig Blomquist's Audi, the last one before the short wheelbase took over in rallying, I quite possibly saw this through the forest on the RAC rally.

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If we are doing apt number plates here is a Austin A95 six cylinder

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A couple of Cooper S,

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This is obviously an E-Type, but......

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with a tow bar

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And finally they have some nice municipal gardens for a wander so all in all a good day in a nice town we could spend longer in but we have to keep moving onwards and upwards (North) we are heading for Christchurch tomorrow, unless we do the Steampunk before we leave.

Steam Punk museum is worth a look and so is the Antarctic Centre in Christchurch.

 

[KiwiKampers]

We have got a fair bit of catching up to post on the thread as to our visit to date, but it's been fairly full on each day and buggered by the evening.
Been a few days around Devonport and Auckland, but heading further up north on North Island today for the next week or so.

Just a word of advice - the further north you go on the North Island the lower the decile rate. Take valuables with you and choose where you park very carefully.

 

[funflair]

We made it after all,

Cars to follow

 

[nicholsong]

What makes you think that they are in Singapore now ?

Several of his posts were showing a Singaporean flag in his Avatar, which is why I posted, but I have just checked and they now show NZ.

Has somebody been fooling around?

 

[KiwiKampers]

I've lost count of the number of times I've been to Hamilton and yet I've never heard of the Jukebox Diner and Classic Museum. It's now on my "to do" list. You guys have opened my eyes to all sorts of places in NZ. It's the old adage, you never explore what's on your doorstep.

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[Two on Tour]

We made it after all,

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Cars to follow

View attachment 1033688

We had lunch in the diner before looking around the museum on day two after landing.

 

[funflair]

Several of his posts were showing a Singaporean flag in his Avatar, which is why I posted, but I have just checked and they now show NZ.

Has somebody been fooling around?

You can’t trust those flags Geoff, as you have proven I think it depends on which sim I am on as so noticed myself that we were back in Singapore a couple of days ago.

 

[funflair]

The museum was beautifully presented with cars and exhibits in super condition,

This TEXACO delivery truck was lovely and had been rescued in very poor condition,

Back to the number plate theme,

Little,

And large

 

[Two of usI]

This is Mrs Funflair and this is my first post.

The boat trip wasn’t for anyone with a delicate stomach, it was a bit rough and made worse by the crew going on about sea sickness and bags etc, it was enough to make anyone feel queasy.

When we were at Kaikoura, we decided to go out on the whale watch, however, my wife who is normally sick on a wet lawn was advised to go into the local pharmacy and get a 'Kaikoura Bomb' its a pill that the pharmacist designed....... we were out in a really rough fast sea and for the first time ever she didn't see her breakfast again.

 

[Langtoftlad]

Several of his posts were showing a Singaporean flag in his Avatar, which is why I posted, but I have just checked and they now show NZ.

Has somebody been fooling around?

His VPN location ?

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