forestwork and travel/buying a bike in NZ
 

hi ,
I want to go to NZ to travel. I would like to stay for three months and want to buy a bike (small enduro) to carry me around. Also I would like to find a place to work. I have a diploma in forestry and am looking for an internship. If anyone has some advice I would be very glad. Also is it easy to find a bike and have it registered in my name? I am a german citizen.
thanx

Try contacting the FRI for a job: http://www.forestresearch.co.nz/

Be aware that there are immigration formalities which take time and possibly money.

There are lots of small trail bikes around second hand. Since you are only staying three months it might be a good idea to investigate a buy-back scheme, so you don't end up giving it away at the end of your stay. I bought mine from Forbes & Davies, but they don't seem to exist any more. Just ring around the dealers in Auckland and ask.

Found one: http://www.cyclespot.co.nz/buybacks.htm

For buying privately the local newspaper is probably the best option.

Note that most dirt bikes actually get used in the dirt (unlike in Europe), so they often get knocked around.

To find things in the NZ web: www.searchnz.co.nz

Email me if you have any specific questions.

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Salut from Southern France, the bikers' paradise,

Peter.

[This message has been edited by beddhist (edited 07 April 2004).]

It is very easy to get a bike registered in your name. All you need is a NZ address (and I know people who have used a backpackers lodge for that with no problems as you don't need to carry the registration papers with you or need them on you to sell the bike). There are a lot of small trail bikes around, and buyng via a website is often OK, like www.trademe.co.nz or www.bikepoint.co.nz If you find a bike in the Christchurch region, I would be very happy to look at it for you, and if you travel to the South Island be sure to look us up.
As far as forestry work goes, there are plenty of companies doing contract forest maintainance, but it is important to have the paperwork done for permission to work in NZ.
Kind regards

Nigel in NZ