AlessandraZoe

My husband and I had a few too many beers last night because we are cleaning out our house for resale. Lots of painting, pitching, and on my part, panting.

Anyway, while drowning my aches and pains in suds, I said, "You know, instead of moving to North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida for a few months, why don't we just try New Zealand? We LOVE it. Why can't we live it?"

My thinking is that our Golden Years is more likely 1.5 years. My kids are not yet married and do not yet have children. We've never been to Australia, and it would be so nice to be in a place to explore the Pacific. We are active. We cycle. I birdwatch. He golfs. In other words: Let's do while we can.

My husband said, "Anything is better than Florida. If you can find a way to rent for 4-6 months and take the dog (a Westie) you are on."

So I did my preliminary research last night, and I realize I am out of my depth. At 3 a.m. (when all beer consumption comes back to haunt), I realized: "I'll just post my query on Fodors...and then pray."

Just so you know...
We have spent three weeks in NZ. We know the South Island West Coast because every drop of rain fell on us whilst cycling down the coast. We visited Christchurch (loved it, too bad we can't live there because of earthquakes), Auckland, Bay of Islands/Pahia, Wanaka (loved that, too), Queenstown.

So again...
4-6 months base somewhere
Need to take dog (husband is WAYYYY to attached)

Ideas, please.

Thank you ahead of time for being brilliant.
AZ

Susan7

Maybe the best place to start your research would be NZ Immigration to see if you can stay longer than the standard tourist visa:

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/

Australia and New Zealand both have tough quarantine procedures for pets, so the next practical thing would be to see what's entailed in taking a dog

http://www.customs.govt.nz/

stormbird

By the time you get your dog out of quarantine - it'll be time to go home again.

AlessandraZoe

Susan--Great start. I sort of went blind reading the www.customs.govt.nz page, but your mention of the topic made me focus on the hurdles bringing the dog in. I found another good web page that's not in "governmentese":
http://www.enz.org/moving-pets-to-new-zealand.html

Given the costs entailed, it might make sense to board the pup at his local pet "spa" instead.

Thanks to your other link, I see that we would not need a visa if we are there for three months. And I bet you we could get away with leaving the country and coming back in. But for purposes of renting, I'm thinking that a three-month rental is max then unless I want to bury myself in paper work.

Now I'm wondering if we should not rent for a month in three different areas of NZ.

stormbird

Sorry Susan - I see you already posted a link about quarantine etc.

AlessandraZoe

Stormbird--You are right. But now I have proof to show the husband that the pricing for pup's plush boarding is better than trying to bring him, too.

And I'm not being harsh to the pup--the dog LOVES the kennel. He views it as a longterm doggy cocktail party.

dutyfree

My daughter and I are currently traveling around New Zealand and we really love the beauty of Kaikoura on the South Island and Taupo on the North Island!