WHAT A WEEK END AHEAD!!!!!!!!!

So there is one thing I have learnt and that is most New Zealands enjoy there week ends out. I mean, there is the Rock Festival hosted by 90.2ROCKfm and entry is FREE, or the JAZZ in THE Park music event. They having the South African Music and FOod FeST this week end and Anton is taking me to a BBQ in my name this week end. There is also the 2ND Food and Wine Fets on the South End of Auckland City.

Adam leaves for University and they have quite a trip ahead of them, since his campus is about 400km away.

Here is the comunity Family Gig guide................................................................

Community Events! - Look here for the latest news in the Roadworks Community.Exhibition:

Elisabeth Vullings - small works Exhibition: Elisabeth Vullings - small works Butterfly Net - March 2nd - 18th you are warmly invited to the next exhibition opening “more small.....Author: Butterfly Net
Exhibition: Release @ Satellite Gallery Release Ilse Taute, Mary Tietjens and Angus Wilderspin 13th – 25th March Opening 5.30 Tuesday 13th March 2007 Release is an exhibition of abstract p.....
Exhibition: LUCY BUCKNALL New Work @ Satellite Gallery Exhibition: LUCY BUCKNALL New Work Satellite Gallery 27th February - 11th March Opening: 5.30 – 7pm Tuesday 27th February After I left college 18 ye.....
Exhibition: Anya Veryaskina Exhibition: Anya Veryaskina - Very well, thank you... February 24th - March 9th PPg Gallery 20 figurative studies by Anya Veryaskina .....Author: PPg Gallery
Eden Park Events Calander February 2007 February 18 (Sun) Chappell – Hadlee Trophy – Black Caps vs. Australia Hospitality Packages.....
A taste of New Caledonia in Auckland A taste of New Caledonia in Auckland Aucklanders have a unique opportunity to sample New Caledonian music and visual art in March – without leavin.....Author: ParadisePR
Womens Bookshop - Mad March Sale The Women's Bookshop - Mad March Sale Once again we have been able to select a fabulous range of quality books, just the kind of reading Women's B.....Author: WBS
Rock the Park Rock the Park - February 25th Three Kings Reserve Cnr Mt Eden and Mt Albert Roads Featuring: DONALD REID ESKIMO JOE EVERMORE THE FEELERS. The Roc.....Author: Auckland City
Age of Discovery Kevin Kim (Recorders) & Age of Discovery Chamber Barok Saturday 24th February 2007, 7:30pm Ponsonby Baptist Church, 43 Jervois Road Entry by .....
WORLD RENOWNED CELLIST JOINS WITH TOP NZ PIANIST FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY WORLD RENOWNED CELLIST JOINS WITH TOP NZ PIANIST FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra presents the Lion Foundation Twilight Chamber .....
RUSSIAN ROMANCE & REVOLUTION IN CONCERT RUSSIAN ROMANCE & REVOLUTION IN CONCERT Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra APN News & Media Premier Series, Concert 2, ‘Romance & Revolut.....Author: Auckland Philharmonia
A Poetry Reading by Wystan Curnow and Tony Green A Poetry Reading by Wystan Curnow and Tony Green Saturday 24th February at 2pm. And A Talk on Native Plants by Philip Smith of O2 Landscapes an.....
Exhibition: Jeannie van der Putten Exhibition: Jeannie van der Putten - Island (Asian/Polynesian fusion design) February 19th - March 9th 2007 Pots of Ponsonby 298 Ponsonby Ro.....
Andy Leleisi’uao: Lost Kamoans of the Godly & Godless Andy Leleisi’uao: Lost Kamoans of the Godly & Godless Feb 10- March 1, 2007 New Paintings Lost Kamoans of the Godly and Godless works around the .....
Chu Chin-Yi : New paintings Chu Chin-Yi February 10- March 1 Whitespace 12 Crummer Rd Ponsonby Ph 361 6331 Whitespace is proud to present paintings by Chu Chin-Yi- this exhibiti.....
New Zealand beer Fest 2007 Beer, food, music, summer and good times with great mates. On the 24th of February 2007 from 12.30pm to 10.30pm we convert the horse stables and p.....Author: Kirsten Muir
Sound Splash Soundsplash Eco Reggae Festival Dub Syndicate, Mad Professor & Joe Ariwa, Katchafire, Shapeshifter Kora, Cornerstone Roots, Blue King Brown pl.....
Lothlorien Rythm Festival It's on again for 2007 with a fresh new line-up and aa new date too! Mark it on your calendar my friends, 3rd March, 2007 Line-up: Rebel.....Author: www.lothfest.co.nz
Auckland Waterfront Sculpture Walk The waterfront sculpture walk The waterfront sculpture trail passes through one of Auckland's historic quarters. It complements the views along th.....
Childrens Day Children's Day -March 4th Children’s Day is a special day to spend time with your family. Don’t expect any presents though! Children’s Day isn’t a.....
Exhibition: February: Paintings by Kerry Robertson and Jewellery and Sculpture by Paul Annear [NON] gallery is at 5 Central Road, Kingsland. Open Saturdays and .....
Exhibition: Lindsey Kirk - Spanning Grafton Gully Spanning Grafton Gully - Feb 26th - March 18th 2007 Northart Community Arts Centre Norman King Square,Northcote Shopping Centre Opening: Su.....
Neil Donald Walsch - NZ Tour NEW ZEALAND - AROUND THE WORLD IN ONENESS TOUR SCHEDULE 'Part of the Change' Workshop with Neale Donald Walsch Get up close and personal in Nea.....
Valentines Day at Chapel Moet & Chandon Rose is the wine of LOVE! Enoy dinner with your Valentine at Chapel Bar & Bistro on Valentines.....
Whats on at CEAC What’s On @ Corban Estate Arts Centre ● Arts Speak with Christine Hellyar Monday 5 th February, 7pm ● Term One Art Classes for.....
Exhibition: Stuart Broughton - The Arrival Exhibition: Stuart Broughton - The Arrival Landreth & Co, Café/Bar at 272 Ponsonby Road. Landreth & Co, Café/Bar at 272 Pon.....
What's on at Auckland Museum? Vaka Moana The Untold Story of the World's Greatest Exploration Until 1 April 2007 Do not miss the most outstandi.....
Go by bike day National Go By Bike Day is Wednesday 28 February 2007 Click here to find out about Go By Bike Day in your area On Go By Bike Day New Zealanders are e.....
Exhibition: Rachel Collier-Wilson BODY OF WORK At the PPg Gallery Auckland 30th January 2007 - 16th February 2007 Viewing: Tuesday 30 th January 5.30 – 7.30 pm Rachel has been a .....
Chapel Scooter Club Chapel Scooter Club Ponsonby, Auckland - Sundays beep... beep! Attention all scooter owners! Join us for the launch of Chapel's Scooter Club!! .....
Ladies Night Ladies Night The PumpHouse Theatre & Gallery Killarney Park Manurere Ave Takapuna Ladies Night 8 Mar - 24 Mar Written by Stephen Sinclair a.....
Southern Lakes Festival of Colour, Wanaka KALAGA’LA Thursday 26 April – Southern Lakes Festival of Colour, Wanaka As part of the “New Caledonia New Zealand Season 2007” and Southern La.....Author: Paradise PR
Brick Bay Sculpture Trail Brick Bay Sculpture Trail Brick Bay Sculpture Trail Arabella Lane (off Mahurangi East Road) RD2 Warkworth PH: 09 425 4690 FAX: 09 425 4691 Emai.....
Music in Parks Music in Parks Programme January February March January 2007 Date Venue and time .....Author: HOTCity
SRAM - Grammo CYCO Criterium Series SRAM - Grammo C YCO Criterium Series 2006-2007 Series One: Thursday 26th Oct 2006 to 7th Dec 2006 Series Two: Thursday 18th Jan 2007 to 8th Mar 20.....Author: Cyco
Auckland City Farmers Market THE MARKET HAS RE-OPENED FOR 2007 ! It will operate every Saturday between 8.30am & 12.30pm from the corner of Galway and Gore Streets. We ho.....
Performance: WETR WETR Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 March (dates tbc) – WOMAD, Taranaki As part of the “New Caledonia New Zealand Season 2007” and WOMAD, Kanak dan.....Author: ParadisePR Ltd
Performance: VHIRIN KALAGA’LA Sunday 11 March – 7:30pm, Red Square @ Britomart (part of Auckland Festival AK07) As part of the “New Caledonia New Zealand Season 2.....Author: ParadisePR Ltd
Performance: KALAGA’LA and VHIRIN KALAGA’LA and VHIRIN Saturday 10 March – Pasifika Festival, Western Springs, Auckland As part of the “New Caledonia New Zealand Season 2007” a.....Author: ParadisePR Ltd
Exhibition: ITO WAIA and MICHELINE NÉPORON ITO WAIA and MICHELINE NÉPORON Wednesday 7 to Wednesday 14 March – Seed Gallery, 23a Crowhurst St, Newmarket As part of the “New Caledonia N.....Author: ParadisePR Ltd
Vein - An exhibition of paintings Exhibition: Vein by Sean McDonnell Auckland from January 16th I am fascinated by the perfection of nature. My paintings include naturally f.....
HERO Party 2007 The HERO Party is NZ's ultimate polysexual dance extravanganza ... gay, straight, bi, undecided ... who cares ... it's an excuse for a party a.....
The Elderwomen's Connection Women of Wisdom - Taipa Beach, Northland. March 2nd - 4th 2007 The INTENT of WOMEN of WISDOM is to provide a forum where Elderwomen can meet and .....
TE MATATINI NATIONAL FESTIVAL TE MATATINI NATIONAL FESTIVAL , formally Aotearoa Traditional Maori Performing Arts Festival, is the new name that launched the National Kapa Haka C.....Author: www.tematatini.org.nz
Cuba Street Carnival The Cuba St Carnival The Cuba St Carnival is New Zealand's biggest FREE street festival. The 2007 Carnival takes place 23 & 24 February, kicki.....Author: www.cubacarnival.org.nz
VHIRIN VHIRIN Friday 23 February, during Te Matatini, Palmerston North As part of the “New Caledonia New Zealand Season 2007”, Kanéka /reggae band V.....Author: Caroline Nelson
KALAGA’LA KALAGA’LA Saturday 24 February, during Cuba Street Carnival, Wellington As part of the “New Caledonia New Zealand Season 2007”, Pacific Roots .....Author: Caroline Nelson
KALAGA’LA KALAGA’LA Friday 23 February, during Te Matatini, Palmerston North As part of the “New Caledonia New Zealand Season 2007”, Pacific Roots band.....Author: Caroline Nelson
“ALL ABOUT US – NEW ZEALAND PHOTOGRAPHY” “ALL ABOUT US – NEW ZEALAND PHOTOGRAPHY” Sweet Louise Summer Party and Auction Friday 16 February – 7:00pm, Auditorium Lobby, Auckland Museum .....Author: Caroline Nelson
Guy Howard-Smith Painting Exhibition Exhibition: Guy Howard-Smith - Auckland - November 7 - 19 2006 Guy Howard-Smith presents an exhibition of paintings inspired by books. The reading.....
Armageddon Expo Armageddon Expo returns to Wellington at the event centre on April 29/30th. An incredible event with TV and Movie stars from Serenity, Dukes of Ha.....Author: Kirsten Muir
Bridge LessonsThe Mt Albert Bridge Club offers tuition at the clubrooms in the Mt Albert war memorial reserve opposite the Senior Citizens rooms, at 7:30 pm on Wede.....Author: Kirsten Muir
Play boulesThe Herne Bay atanque Club meets at 9:15am every Thursday and 5pm every Friday at Salisbury Reserve, Salisbury Street. New members welcome. Tuition av.....Author: Kirsten Muir
Bond Street Runners Bond Street Runners - Jogging Club - Wednesdays The Bond Street Runners meet each Wednesday at 6pm at Bond Street Bar for a fun, 4km - 5km evening.....
Domain Sculpture Walk Domain Sculpture Walk - Auckland Domain Sculptures by some of New Zealand's leading artists, have been installed as part of a sculpture walk i.....Author: Auckland Museum
French MarketFrench Style Market - Auckland Every Saturday morning, rain or shine, 8am - 1pm St Georges Bay Road - Parnell Food, fashion, homewares, etc
SALSA DANCE PARTY! FIESTA DEL BARRIO! Come join the world wide latino craze at the FIESTA DEL BARRIO! Salsa dance party. @ SPACE ,6 Osbourne st, New Market, Auckland Every thursday night .....
The Dance HallsThe saturday night dance is back! Ripple Productions presents The Dance Halls winter series, every Saturday night in various community halls all aroun.....
Otara Markets Otara Markets - Auckland. Saturday 6:00am - 12:00pm Auckland is the world’s largest Polynesian city and has a vibrant and diverse population inclu.....
Kumeu Arts Market Kumeu Arts Market - 2nd Saturday of the month - Kumeu Handmade gifts, quality arts and crafts, hot food and drink. Fun craft activities for all ag.....
Jump, Jive & Jam Ponsonby Community Centre - Every Saturday night starting 6th May A night of great music to dance to including jump jive, rock 'n roll, and big band.....
Singles Dance Auckland Single Adults Association holds a Country & Western themed dance at the Fencible Lounge, Uxbridge Road, Howick, from 7:30-11pm on Sunday.....Author: Auckland City Harbour News
Adult Free Kids Only MarketKids Only Market at Mt Roskill Community House, Graham Breed Drive, Three Kings, from 9am - 12 noon on Saturday ph: 09 624 3281 to book a free stall.Author: Auckland City Harbour News
Heritage Walks Heritage Walks Wander around central Auckland and discover the intriguing engineering heritage of Auckland’s iconic buildings and structures. .....
Art Market St Kevin's Arcade Art Market St Kevin's Arcade... 9:00 am till 3:00 pm See and buy art work from wonderful new artists. Come and enjoy the atmosphere of K'Roa.....Author: K'Road Business Association
K'Road Saturday Street Market K'Road Saturday Street Market Every Saturday on the Karangahape Road overbridge. 10am to 4.30pm There's something for everyone, bri-a-brac, .....


I know it's crazy...... there are some really good radio stations here. They have some that are Rock only, Classic only, House Music only, Hip Hop and then there is 90.4fm that plays the latest rock and punk with a lot of old school Queen, Guns & Roses, Metallica, Kiss, ect........

Radio is a lot better than South Africa because you have options. Then each Area has a local Radio station that will play a huge veriety of music!!!

Anyhow, got to pack my bags, got to catch a bus to Albany (Nothing to do with bread), hook up with my Untie and ALL, then to immigration to get all the info about work visas.

So on Monday I will be loading a ton of pics showing all the Events we will try to get to since 70% of them have free entry, and send you guys pics of me on the beach SURFING!!!!! Hey I'm becoming a sexy BITCH!!!!!!!!!!

Cheers!!!

DevOnPoRT WiNe & FOOd FesTiVAL

For Nearly 20 years, the Glengarry Wine Academy has been working with wine lovers to educate and assist them in their wine knowledge. The courses are an opportunity for beginners as well as experienced aficionados (Kim people) to expand their Knowledge and develop interest.

The Event was hosted by the Rotary Club of Devonport, which is part of the North Shore Cities.

It was great. There where 16 wine estates that are all from the North Shore area, about a 20 min drive from where I live!! The people were great, music went from funky Jazz, to drums, and very urban styled music. Woman and wine a like were fantastic and everyone, yet a few, behaved well. There is one thing that I have picked up about New Zealand is that Drinking and Driving is a massive offence to the public. Everyone used buses and ferries (Did not want to return on the Ferry) and you find the few that by late afternoon were rocked gone, no one would serve them any alcohol and the police had an escort service up and running, taking people who lived close to the area home.

They had to stages set up. The main one was pretty funky/out there Jazz, and the other smaller stage under the trees, was mellow music.

The QU2 which actually is the Queen Mary 2nd was in on its maiden voyage around the world. One word.......... wait two words......... F**KING HUGE!!!!! She couldn't fit in at the normal ports and she had to dock at the tankers side of the harbour because it was the only area large enough to accommodate her. I mean, 35 stories tall and 100+ meters wide and 100's of meters long. Iesh, this one was big, very very big!!!!!!!

Sian and I bought some Nandos and headed off to the Varsity park that looks over Auckland. While trying to eat our lunch we had to fight off these little birds, in their groups of 30, from eating our lunch. They will try break a piece off while you got your burger in your mouth. They make a flock of sea gulls pleasant.

And if you are South African, and some one hears it, they give you this card. It advertises South African festivals ect, hosted around New Zealand.








Now, for a little bit of shitty things. Like the Picture of the white tail spider below is the reason you got to shake your things out before putting it on!!!!!!!! Nearly got me, little SVINE!!!



Some pics of the city. These ladies and gents on their Vespa scooters are FREE water people. They promote water like we promote liquor. They ride around the city hooting, making noise, then give you water, really nice, cool water!!!




This is also pretty sad. It was the Rainbow Warrior, Flag ship for Greenpeace, that was sunk by french secret agents and special forces while she was docked in Auckland harbour July 1985. World famous photographer and man who carried the photo evidence of what nuclear testing does, Fernando Pereira was killed by the explosion, while sleeping on the ship.


This serves in his memory and as a reminder to the world to work towards a better future. New Zealand is a great example of man living with nature," UN spokesman for Greener World 1997".

I'M HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IN AUCKLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, I don't know where to start? I mean WOW. This place is awsome, no it's great, no it's, it's, it's WONDERFUL and I think the closest thing to Heaven!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I mean, did you know that 80% of its fruit and Veggies that are picked in the morning are on the shelves that early afternoon. They have this clean (I will use that word a lot) Veg and fruit shelves. They have gutters a long the shelving so that if you take one and another one falls, it will not hit the floor! LOGICK!!!!

The buses work well, there are tons in the morning but during the afternoon they do from every 15 min to every 40 min. It's so funny, if the bus driver wants to have a smoke, he has to stop the bus, get off and walk to a smokers spot. And no one complains about him stopping!! It is Crazy, It is New Zealand!! AHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! I LOVE IT!!!!!!

I mean last year a girl was killed after her bus stoped, and she got off she crossed infront of the bus and a car hit her and killed her. She was the first and has been the last because the New Zealand Goverment changed the law with in the week that if a bus stops and you are passing, your speed must slow to below 20kmPh while the bus is stoped!! They are having a huge campaign on Zebra Crossings because,'' even though the numbers are down and low, they not low enough'', so the Goverment is having a campaign to bring the number of people hit on Zebra crossings a year below the current number of 15 people!!!!!!!!!!!!! NATION WIDE!!!!!!! IT'S CRAZY!!!!!!

Contractors here are making money because of the labour and skills shortage. You are put on a waiting list for 2 months -4 months for a shop fitter. If you want to tile your house you will wait 6 months!!! And you will pay!!!!

The City is Full of weird, wacky and wonderful people. Just wish I could upload the Sounds and Smells of Auckland. There is always the smell of fresh coffee and food cooking in the air. Now and again, due to road works, you get a wooof!!!! There are a lot of Japanese students here, who come to learn English at University, before going back to Japan. And the nice thing is that they are so clean, and clean up after themselves!!! I LOVE IT!!!!

The birds here are a bit much. You can't have a piece of bread with out them following you as you walk. They will eat off your plate or out your hand. It so COOOLLL!!!!!!!!!!

D-DAY............ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Uncle Mervyn, who guides me # Kim, my best friend, Cousin and ecstasy in life!!

My Brothers Ray & Dewald My reason fro a social life Mel & Claire

Ray, Me, Dewald My favourite Chick, Siobhan, my sister

If nerves were light I would glow like a thunder bolt! I am busy having a glass of ROBERTSON WINERY 2006 Sauvignon Blanc!! It is a well balanced wine, with grassy green colour to it...... IT HELPS!!

It's been 8 weeks since I booked my ticket and man they flew. I will fly out tonight to Dubai, then connect to Singapore for the final leg to Brisbane then to Auckland. I will be documenting everything as I go and will be sending photos as soon as I have a PC and time in front of me.

As I start the process of visas ect I will keep everyone up to speed. As I buy things and go shopping for food, I will put the prices up on my blog so that you can have a look see at the expense of life in Auckland. As I look at houses and property I will up date each and every detail. I will also put the newspapers head lines up as I go so you may have a true feel at what life is about in NZ!!!!

I want to thank my family and friends fro everything that they have done and for all the support I continuously get from thier love and warmth!

But none of this would have been possible if it was not for the blood, sweat and tears of my parents who I love

and cherish with all of my love and spirit!!!!!!

Police Clearance and Tax Certificate......travel tips.....ect....

The Tax Certificate was over the counter and cost nothing (R0.00). The Police clearance Certificate cost R58.00 (NZ$11.39). The Police Clearance took me 20 working days to get. Please it is valid for 6 months so do your Police clearance and tax clearance a month and a half before you leave in case there is any Sh*t. You will get a police and tax clearance no matter what your credit score is and Metro Police traffic fines (Warrant of Arrest) do not correspond with SAPS!!! But do the correct thing........ pay your TV licence. Sorry tried to scan them onto this page but the net was taking a bit long.

There is a new book out on travelling New Zealand called;" LET'S GO-NEW ZEALAND". Try www.letsgo.com and here are some travel websites they give you.

www.statravel.com
www.airbrokers.com
www.hostelbookers.com
get a room +64 800 777 0112
www.myisic.com for students or youngsters who would like a student travel card.
www.gobeyond.co.nz very good
www.straytravel.com
www.spaceships.tv
www.zorb.com
www.hostelsclub.com

Hope some of these work out well. Before renting a car, New Zealand has improved its public transport with the introduction of the CITY CIRCUIT, which is a FREE bus service. Yes, FREE inner bus service thatcarves a path between key inner city points. It runs every 10min, daily from 8am-6pm. The buses make a complete loop through the city centre in 1hr. Thry stop outside museums, parks, stations, QE II square, University and many other wonderful places. As I will soon start to use all of the above I will post many phot's and as much detailed info as possible.

The rest of the City buses run M-Sunday 6am-11:30pm @ NZ$1.30.

A day in the Sun.........

Public Transport on the left Mokitlane above (Ray) Dewald Batting.

This summer has been weird, yet fantastic. For every day of sun, we have had a day of rain or thundershowers. But at the end, it has been really HOT! This week end my buddy Mokitlane and I went through to Pretoria to watch my cousin Dewald play a cricket match. He's team from Centerian met a team,"can't remember", at Waterkloof Hoerskool. It was hot, my shoulders are now a nice cherry red, but we had a great day. The weather was awesome, company great and it felt truly South African. Mokitlane and I then headed off to Melville to have a late night game of fuse-ball before I drop him off at rez and head home. From our previous experience we have now changed our drinking habits. We have a beer, followed by water and juice before thinking about our next. This worked out great, as we get to enjoy drinking responsibly, having fun and keeping that tummy line down!!!

Moklitlane relaxing watching Dewald bowl

Places to stay..............

Don't ask about the cycling helmet! Beyond have the best site I found for Back Packers.

New Zealand has a huge tourist market and Back-packers think of this place as heaven. For as little as NZ$23.00 (R117.00) per night. That puts a roof over your head, gives you a shower and will not be boring. Back-packer lodges offer great company and most of New Zealand Back-packer INNS have a bar or small club down stairs. Some even have NZ$10.00 (R50.90).

From e-mails and travel books I have noticed that majority of B&B's, Guest Lodges and Back-Packers are pretty clean compared to other places. You have to have your own sleeping bag at some places. (I personally feel using your own pillow and sleeping bag is the best, even if you at a 5 star hotel!!!!)

Here is thier web address: http://www.acb.co.nz/ ; http://www.charliebs.co.nz/ ; www.truenz.co.nz/backpackers ; http://www.backpackerboard.co.nz/ .

There are tons and tons of places to stay in New Zealand. Queenstown on the South of the South Island has a population of just under 10'000 people attracts over 2000000 tourists a year! A lot of people come to New Zealand to retire from the USA, Britain, Canada and Australia, yet with all the elderly living there, it is still one of the worlds finest places for extreme sports. www.newzealandnz.co.nz/activities/