What a student should/should not bring to New Zealand?

Question

Hi All,

I'm a Malaysian and will be leaving to New Zealand to further my tertiary study in Feb. I would be thankful if you can help to tell what to bring/not to bring into New Zealand. If you have a list of expensive things in New Zealand that international student should bring into NZ, that would very much appreciated.

Another question. Is laptop in NZ expensive?

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi from New Zealand,

A laptop can be bought new for between $1000 - $2000 NZ dollars.

Clothes and electronic items are possibly cheaper in Malaysia.

Don't bring food.  Customs are very tough in NZ.  You must declare any food items. Better not to bring food.  We have lots of asian food markets here.

Answer 2

You can get a laptop for under a grand in NZ. - it really depends on the add ons you want with it, that is when it gets pricey.

This site is great - answers alot of questions

http://newzealandnow.info/article/what-c...

and view the customs site on what you can't bring into NZ. fact sheet here http://www.customs.govt.nz/nr/rdonlyres/...

this will give you an idea

DO NOT BRING INTO NZ -

• Objectionable (indecent) articles such as video tapes,

fi lms, records, CD-ROMs, and publications

• Certain types of weapons such as flick knives,

butterfl y knives, sword sticks, knuckle dusters, and any

weapon designed or disguised to give the appearance

of another article

• Cannabis utensils such as bongs, hash and head pipes,

hubble bubbles, hookahs, and roach clips with a

pincer or tweezer action

• Ivory in any form, including jewellery, and carvings

• Tortoise or sea turtle shell jewellery, and ornaments

• Meat or other food derived from whales, dolphins,

rare cranes, and pheasants, or sea turtles

• Medicines using musk, or rhinoceros or tiger

derivatives such as ground horn or bone

• Carvings or other things made from whalebone or

bone from many other marine mammals

• Cat skins or coats

• Trophies of sea turtles, all big cats, rare reptiles,

cranes, pheasants, bears, antelope, and deer

• Live species, including pet eagles, hawks, owls and

parrots, many cacti, orchids.... etc

Hope that helps you

cheers

Answer 3

Customs are tuff on food, but we bring in food, as long as it is packaged, like cereal or candy, but NO fruit or meat!!.

My niece was looking at a Apple iMac, with everything & it was going to cost her around $2000 - up.

Not sure about the electronic stuff, since we have a different power conversion to you, im sure.

Answer 4

Hi, hope I can help

A student should bring a laptop, mobile phone, brand name shoes (eg nike costs about $260 in New Zealand)

However things that are cheap are clothes, food, petrol ect..

Answer 5

i cant compair to your country as i dont know what your prices are so here is a website that everyone over here uses all the time this is where you spot bargins

www.trademe.co.nz

as for shops check out these websites that will give you a good idea;

www.retravision.co.nz/

www.bondandbond.co.nz

www.dse.co.nz

www.arbuckles.co.nz

i hope this helps

good luck

Answer 6

Hi there, I am a Malaysian as well. Has been here since last February (Around 9 mths?). You SHOULD bring your own laptop from Malaysia because it's sooo much cheaper there. But then its hard to compare because of conversion value and everything. For example, you can get an Acer laptop with student price here for NZD990, however, you can get the same laptop for around MYR1900. If we convert MYR to NZD (1 NZD=2.555MYR), you are better off with buying laptop at home. So, if u want to get the best value for your money, you should just buy laptop at home. I would advise you to buy your jacket and coat at Winter Apparel, Going Places or Universal Travelers for the same reason. If u buy it here and convert it to MYR the price would be higher.

You should bring CD Programmer like Microsoft Office, Nero burning, things like that in case sth happen to your laptop and you need to reformat it. They will not take your CD (based on my personal experience).

Urm.. what else? Yah, one more thing, about foods and stuff, ppl always said u cant bring foods but I'll say you will be alright as long as you declare all the foods that you bring to the customs. Yeah, you also should consider of bringing ointment/ chinese medicine like (Koyak, Minyak Cap Kapak or Minyak Gamat) if u always use such things. Dont worry, they will not confiscate your things if u declare them.

You dont have to worry about anything as there are lots of Malaysian students here. The Malaysian Student Department is very efficient and helpful as well. They can help should you have any problem. I assure you that you will not miss Malaysian foods because there are lots of Malaysian restaurants here (I'm speaking about Auckland and Wellington. am at Wellington at the moment).

One last thing, don't worry and just enjoy it! U will love it here. the people are very nice and friendly (the ones that i've met so  far surely are!) Just come and u'll know!

Hope this helps. If u have further questions, dont hesitate to ask. This is my YM id: miz_eila.