New Zealand - what would it take to get you here

[DavidW_NZ]

Just a quickie - we dropped into our local dive shop at Goat Island, North Island NZ, and during the conversation someone asked what UK divers thought of NZ as a dive location and what needs to be on offer to make it attractive enough for divers to come here. I have to admit I found it very difficult to answer even though we have been living here for three months - so your comments and suggestions would be much appreciated.
DavidW

-Bye-

[MATTBIN]

Bottom line, cost I suspect plus whats to see, can we have direct flights and a decent baggage allowance too. I for one would bring my own gear, but I'd want to rent cylinders including a pony please as a minimum.
Matt

[Dr Stevil]

<font color='#0000FF'>Hmmmm... cost is a factor but from my perspective if I was going half-way round the world I'd want an extended visit, say about a month, so amount of vacation time is/would be a factor too.

My sister used to live there in the early 70s, if she was still there I reckon I'd have emigrated too, 3.5 million people in an area the size of the UK (pop. ~66 million), need I say more &nbsp;
sigh...
Steve

[John Gulliver]

I'd love to come if I could afford to. I did a 10-day trip to Australia just to dive (3 days on a GBR liveaboard and 7 days in the Coral Sea, didn't even get to see a kangaroo) some years ago, so it's not the time aspect that's the problem, although I'd love to stay for a few weeks and travel around the country. Air fares have risen so much the last couple of years that I for one choose nearer destinations (e.g. the Red Sea) these days. A pity, 'cos I know you've got some great diving.

[DavidW_NZ]

Dear All,

Many thanks for the candid replies - even though you can get air fares for less than £700 and if travelling via the US you can take two suitcases each weighing 32Kg (64Kg in total per person) - I personaly feel that its too far to travel (ie takes too long) for the average person’s 2-week holiday, too expensive to get here in proportion to what divers are being offered here, and can’t compete with the red sea by any standards. &nbsp;Thankfully we are here and if you ever get downhere look us up.

All the best

[Phil Ennis]

<font color='#0000FF'>I'm in NZ at the moment, fabulous diving. Heading down to the South Island in a few days. Must go, bloody money is about to run out.