New Zealand enjoys a modern and efficient banking system, one that is open and transparent, and easy to use. New Zealand banks, with one exception, are Australian-owned, which effectively makes them branches of their Australian parent banks.

This has turned out for the benefit of the New Zealand banking industry because as the Australian economy has remained very strong during the GFC, the banking system in both New Zealand and Australia has remained very liquid. In other words, New Zealand has to a large extent escaped the effects of the financial melt-down of the banking system that many Northern Hemisphere countries have experience over the last 5 or 6 years.

Employment has remained quite strong in Australia and New Zealand over the last 5 years, despite the recession, with unemployment peaking at around 7 % in New Zealand and 6 % in Australia. As a result, New Zealand banks have continued to lend during this period, enabling businesses access to bank finance, and home buyers to be able to buy housing. As a result, the property market has now returned to where it was 5 years ago, and continues to grow at a steady pace.

The other advantage of a strong banking system is that new immigrants to New Zealand have been able to enter the country under the business visa scheme which has been helped by banks being willing to provide loan finance of up to 50 % of the purchase price of a New Zealand business. This in turn has resulted in these new immigrants bringing money into the country, and this has helped our currency to remain quite high.

The flip-side of a strong New Zealand banking system, is that because interest rates have remained high by world standards (retail rates around 5 % / term deposits around 3 % ), this has contributed to a strong New Zealand currency that has made it harder for exporters to compete on the world stage. In fact the New Zealand dollar has appreciated against most other currencies – for example about 80 % against the US dollar, over the last 30 years. This has made it easier for New Zealand banks to attract funds from the likes of Japanese pension funds where bank deposit rates are much lower (around zero).

Economists remain quite bullish towards the New Zealand economy for the above reasons, but also for the fact that it is a well-governed, progressive and diversified economy, with agriculture as its mainstay. In fact New Zealand’s ability to produce high-quality food products puts it in a strong position to take advantage of the increasing wealth of Asia and their growing demand for food. This is likely to cause the New Zealand banking industry to remain in good heart for the foreseeable future. If you are looking to immigrate to New Zealand and needing to transfer money into New Zealand, we are able to help you with this.

A New Zealand wool area rug is very soft and can provide an elegant look to any room. They are very popular for decorating because they are comfortable and durable. New Zealand wool is very fine in quality and much softer than other types of wools. A New Zealand wool area rug is environmentally friendly and this makes them even more popular. Wool is great for anyone that has allergies, children, and pets. It is very resilient and handles spills better than any other type of material. These rugs are ideal in the home or office. Many styles, colors, and designs are available for any sized room. They make great noise reducers and are fire resistant. If you already have one of these great rugs decorating your home or office, the benefits might already be known. Taking good care of these rugs is essential to ensure good use of all the benefits they offer. Part of this care is having someone wash, dry, and repair the rug when needed.

The Area Rug Cleaning Process

What happens when a skilled professional performs area rug cleaning for you? The process is fairly simple and straightforward. Many companies offer to pick the rug up from your home and do all the work for you. Once it has arrived at the facility, they will inspect it for damages and determine what cleaning solution and methods are appropriate. It will be washed with a mild cleaning solution that cannot harm the rug. After washing, it is hung in a large room to allow it to dry completely. Air is blown on both sides of the rug for even drying. This prevents mold from developing due to improper drying. Once fully dried, the rug is inspected again. If it is full clean and no repairs need to be done, it is wrapped up and delivered to your home. When there is damage to the rug, they will first get approval to make them and then do what is necessary to fix the problems. Afterwards, it is delivered and ready for use. This is the basic process for area rug cleaning. A good company should be able to perform all these steps for the best cleaning.

Do Not Use a Home Rug Cleaning Service

A home rug cleaning service can seem like a more convenient option and quite a deal sometimes, but it is one of the worst things you can have done to your authentic wool rug. Home carpet cleaning equipment and solutions are not made for these types of rugs. The equipment is very hard on the fibers and the cleaning solutions can actually make the rug wear faster. Since the rug is cleaned while flat, the solution often gets left in the rug and it does not dry properly. This can cause a lot of problems. It can be damaged to the point where it has to be replaced. Instead of taking what may seem the easier and less expensive way out, always use a professional rug cleaning service for the best results.

Farming is New Zealand’s largest industry and the biggest portion of the economy that we have available for trade. The opportunities are there for keen farmers and investors looking for stability, but with money from overseas beginning to find its way into New Zealand agriculture those opportunities are becoming scarcer. It pays to choose your farm, and farm location very carefully.

New Zealand farming is a diverse sector and there are huge differences in the main focus from region to region. Down south, Otago is the country’s sheep farming central with livestock breeding a huge part of the industry in the area and surrounding regions. Lamb, wool and beef are all huge exports. In the North Island, the dairy industry is at the forefront around Waikato and Taranaki, but this popularity is quickly spreading throughout the country.

Picking a region to farm in can be a hard choice. A lot of farming is extremely intensive and time-consuming – not everybody wants to get up at four in the morning to milk the herd. Another aspect to take into consideration is how rurally you want to live. Having to move away from a city where amenities are readily available can be a deal breaker for some who are interested in taking the plunge into farm life.

Auckland provides the perfect opportunity to own farmland without having to move into the middle of nowhere. While the area has a very strong focus on horticulture with citrus fruits and berries a popular farming choice, the region allows you to choose what you want to farm with a range of different land for different needs available.

One of the obvious problems farming in Auckland presents is a lack of space, being the largest city in the country and home to almost a third of the popular land is at a premium in the inner suburbs such as Mt Eden, Ponsonby and Remuera however further out of the city still offers great opportunities for farming, particularly to the North past Albany and to the South in areas such a Papakura.

Space is often the deciding factor because of the implications it has on the type of farm you can operate. While horticulture is the popular choice in the region there are still plenty of farms for sale, while sometimes smaller than their Waikato counter-parts, tried and tested by farmers choosing to raise all kinds of livestock. What you can do and the returns you can expect from your farming venture are very dependent on the farm you choose to invest in. Make sure you check for water availability on the land you are purchasing – this also has a huge impact on the type of farming that is possible. Remember that pastoral farming on smaller lands will yield less return – sometimes horticulture is clearly the better option.

Some don’t want to jump too far in at first, and for that the Auckland region presents some great options in terms of smaller farms that offer an alternative lifestyle for those wanting to escape the confines of the city without being completely cut off. When it comes to choosing farmland, take time to assess your needs and don’t settle for anything that doesn’t quite fit right – repercussions of a seriously wrong choice can be financially fatal.

Avatar, the most expensive and the largest grossing movie ever made, has given a big boost to the New Zealand (NZ) film industry and the economy as a whole. The 3D mega visual has delivered USD $218mn to the NZ economy while it was made in the country as against the politically criticized grant of about $32mn. Penelope Borland, CEO of the Screen Production and Development Association of NZ (SPADA) said the success of Avatar would resonate around the world and alongside NZ’s huge advances in intellectual property in the film industry. She added Criticism of Avatar’s box office success relative to the NZ Large Budget Screen Production Grant (LBSPG) it received was short sighted. Since the inception of the LBSPG in 2003, overseas movie and television productions have spent more than $1bn in NZ, which has resulted in grant payments of $134mn. The industry has received total revenues of $384mn from overseas film companies in 2008, and makes NZ number 3 in the world for foreign exchange revenues behind Canada and the UK.

Under the LBSPG scheme, a 15 percent rebate on total qualifying production expenditure is allowed for movies crossing $10.6mn on expenditure in NZ. The Economic Development Minister Gerry Brownlee says “Attracting large budget film productions here offers wider benefits to the economy, including increased opportunities for citizens as well as tourism benefits from having NZ locations shown to an international audience.” The NZ industry is agog with particularly Avatar’s success as many such projects will now move to the country not only for its locales but also to seek technical talents. NZ’s acclaimed visual effects company Weta Digital (WD) is behind the technology that has created the new generation 3D special effects for the movie which, according to the global film fraternity, is the biggest event in the history of film-making since colour film. WD is already popular with their works in Hollywood blockbusters such as Lord of the Rings and King Kong. WD’s senior visual effects supervisor Joe Letteri claimed that Avatar was the first major international film came to NZ purely for the technological filmmaking knowledge built up there, rather than primarily because of country’s advantages as a location for shooting.

WD’s general manager Tom Greally said around 60 percent of the $218mn spent on Avatar in NZ would have gone on crew costs, with the rest going towards “technical infrastructure”. While Film NZ acting CEO Sue Thompson said for the Kiwi industry to continue growing it had to keep marketing itself as a destination for high quality filmmaking. The success of Avatar and several other movies shot in NZ is expected to give a fillip to the country’s tourism industry too as its tourist destinations are showcased to the global audience in a very tempting manner. However, the NZ film industry feels that any attempt to withdraw grants will discourage overseas film projects coming to the country, and may go elsewhere as some countries offer 30 percent grant upfront whereas NZ paid after the project completion. Brownlee feels “NZ’s connection to the success of Avatar will continue to deliver huge benefits to the country and will help to attract larger budget productions here in the future.” He adds “it is unlikely these productions would have decided to film in NZ if this grant had not been available as most locations offered an incentive to film in their territory or country”. Recent PriceWaterhouseCoopers research: Economic Impact of the Film and Television Industry (2009) in NZ found that the film and television industry contributes $2.5bn to the New Zealand economy and contributes additional financial benefits to the country by enhancing international awareness and equity in the NZ brand.

Since the 1970’s New Zealand has increasingly become a more well known origin of distinctive and quality wines. Throughout the whole region of New Zealand one can find an abundance of wineries. With a year round abundance of temperate climate conditions, New Zealand is a perfect location for growing healthy grapes. But the growing process has not always been easy.

A country noted for growing Kiwi and apples, grape cultivation has been a bit more of a challenge. The country’s struggle to offer quality and variety that can compete with the other wine regions of the world has been a process of testing styles of production, aging and grape types, as wine growing is not native to New Zealand. Through an extended process of corrections and adaptations New Zealand wine has emerged finally as a strong competitor in the wine industry on the global scene. Presently, the country produces a wide variety of Bordeaux’s, Merlot’s, Cabernet’s and Pinot Noir’s.

For New Zealand the wine producing industry has been a cultivation event. Due to the country’s climate certain types of grapes have been difficult. Because of this, quality wine production has been a slow process. Wines have been created over years and through much trial and error. The rewards have been ample however as New Zealand has finally made its mark on the wine industry. The country now produces high quality wines throughout most of the island. New Zealand wines have been noted as distinctive with the flavors being described as “distinct earthy, mineral and wild thyme notes”, “notable for ripeness and fruitiness” and “fruit-driven and with restrained oak subtleties.”

For such a small country having fifteen different wine regions is a bit of an anomaly. There are however some variations in soil and climate that make production of certain grapes more advantageous in the country’s diverse wine offerings. Over the years the rise of New Zealand wine has spanned the island country. In more recent years their wineries have expanded into the production of some classic sparkling wines as well which have been quite successful, thereby establishing a name in this area as well.

Overall, the last forty years has seen a solid increase in New Zealand’s wine production. The qualifying process of defining soil types, grape variations and weather resistance has been indeed a process for wine producers. However New Zealand has bore this process with pride and now stands among the other great countries that produce top quality distinctive wines unique to their own region of the world.

Introducing Greymouth (New Zealand)

Greymouth in New Zealand is my home town. I am a 4th generation West Coaster if you count my great grand parents who came to the part of the world from Scotland.

Greymouth (pop 10,000+) is the largest town on the South Island’s West Coast. It is the heart of the West Coast’s commercial centre. Greymouth sits at the mouth of the Grey River. State Highway 6 runs through Greymouth and is connected to Hokitika, 26 miles south and Westport, 60 miles north. All three main West Coast towns are on state Highway 6.

The earliest inhabitants to Greymouth were Maoris. It was not until 1846 when the first European, Thomas Brunner came in Greymouth in 1800s. He named Greymouth after politician Sir George Grey in 1861. Greymouth is at the mouth of the Grey River.

Greymouth was built on the back of the 1860s Westland gold rush. Later it was coal mining, now it is tourism and dairy farming which provide employment for the residents.

Greymouth’s central location makes it an ideal base for traveling around the West Coast. The Tranz Alpine train arrives at Greymouth from Christchurch at around 12.30 p.m and leaves Greymouth at 2 p.m. Buses come and go from the Greymouth train station which is also the local isite office where you are able to make bookings for further travel, accommodation, or any of the many tourist activities on offer. There is also free wifi at the isite. You are also able to hire a car from one of the car hire firms situated at the train station.

As with many towns of similar size, Greymouth has a lot of amenities to offer such as the Public Library on Albert Mall which runs off Mackay Street. Here you are able to access free internet usage. If you fancy going to the movies, then the Regent Theatre at the bottom end of Mackay Street is the place to go. Then there are occasionally sporting events of note in town such as the horse race meeting at Omoto every January or provincial rugby or league.

There are several churches to choose from if you are looking for one to visit on a Sunday morning. You can choose from any of the following; Anglican (Tainui Street), Elim (Boundary Street), Catholic (High Street), Baptist (High Street), and New Life (Shakespeare Street)

Greymouth has the widest range of retail outlets on the West Coast and it is all within walking distance of the town centre. The main street is Mackay Street where you will find a good range of cafes to choose from. Sitting down for a coffee to browse through your brochures is a great way to start the Greymouth leg of your journey.

The flood wall that runs alongside the Grey River is a nice walk. The wall was built after the 1988 flood which caused a great deal of damage throughout the town. It is certainly a nice walk and an ideal spot to take photos.

Legal Restrictions

With the exception of minor work, for example, changing tap washers and unblocking spouting, all plumbing work and repairs and sanitary plumbing in New Zealand must be carried out by a licensed registered plumber. This is for health and safety reasons – a wrong plumbing connection could have serious consequences to your health and an incorrectly plumbed in hot water cylinder could have major implications and could even result in your house being destroyed.

Plumbers in New Zealand are licensed by the New Zealand Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board. Plumbers are required to have a current license and you should always ask to see their license.

Insurance

Also be aware that some insurance companies may not cover your house if you do the work yourself. Any work done which requires a building consent and where a building consent has not been issued will also void your insurance policy – installing a a new fire yourself is a prime example of this. Check your insurance policy and perhaps even contact your insurer and tell them what you are planning to do and make sure that there are no restrictions on your home insurance policy.

Local Council

Before tackling any major DIY Plumbing work in your home – contact your local council and ask their advice – find out if the work being undertaken does in fact require a building consent. Your local council should be your first place of call when thinking about DIY in your home. Licensed plumbers will not carry out work which requires a consent when a consent has not been issued. A building consent carries the name and registration number of the plumber who will be used on the project and he is responsible for certifying that the work is carried out to an acceptable legal standard. This work will also often be inspected by the local council building inspector.

Your Local Plumber

Your local plumber may be willing to oversee your work and can offer you helpful advice and suggestions.

You may be able to undertake some of the preparatory work such as exposing pipes and wastes for your plumber, however we would recommend that you use a plumber for major DIY work, as they are trained professionals and know all of the regulations and Building Code requirements.

Dairy products are vital to New Zealand’s economy. They make up over a quarter of our exports and are a key economic driver. Over the last decade we have seen fundamental changes in global food markets with a significant underlying lift in demand, and in particular with dairy as a commodity. However this shift is not without a shift in volatility as well.

Factors that have influenced these changes include:

• Global economic uncertainty following the 2008 credit crisis and the current European debt crisis

• The use of bio fuels in developed countries

• Changes in diet for the middle class populations of Asia

• Structural changes in trade and agricultural production

• Extreme global weather conditions

Historically dairy has been less at risk of market volatility than other commodities. However, partially due to the current European debt crisis and expanding global milk production; New Zealand’s dairy sector has also been facing volatile international prices. While there has been some small growth in dairy commodity prices in recent times, it is hard to predict a trend in the very short term. However, future prospects remain bright.

The good news is that there is a positive outlook for the dairy industry in the long term. As demand for food has increased with the world’s rapidly growing population, food prices have continued to increase. Furthermore, with the growing affluence in some developing countries, millions have switched to animal-based products as a good source of protein and healthy nutrition. Consequently, there is abundant opportunity being created by the growing international demand for dairy products.

A good example is Asia, which has seen the largest growth in international demand for dairy. This growth is due to a number of factors including population growth, a rapidly expanding middleclass and dietary changes to include western-style foods. For example China has emerged as a strong market for dairy exports.

Also supporting this increased demand is the positive economic outlook for South East Asia, OPEC members and Russia; who are dominant importers of butter and milk powder. Fortunately New Zealand, accounting for more than a third of the traded market, has a good trading relationship in these key markets.

New Zealand’s dairy industry will also be supported by the new free trade agreements with China, Hong Kong and Malaysia. Free trade agreements are also under negotiation with Korea (which currently has an 89 per cent tariff on butter).

There is also international interest in investing in New Zealand agriculture due to the increasing concern for food security. Governments in food constrained regions such as the Middle East and China are seeking agricultural investments in countries that have food surpluses and this is likely to continue.

Another advantage New Zealand’s dairy industry has over other countries is the temperate climate, rich fertile soil, and abundant and reliable water supply. In fact New Zealand is third in the OECD on the measure of agricultural land per person. While Australia has the most agricultural land per capita, much of that land has very low productivity. The other leading countries, Iceland and Canada, have shorter productive seasons because of their exposure to cold winters. Combine the quality of our agriculture with the advanced technology employed here, and you currently have a large surplus of dairy for export.

New Zealand should be able to meet the increasing demand in these emerging markets with more product varieties. While the trade in whole milk powder is looking strong e.g. one of New Zealand’s largest dairy co-operatives is constructing what will be the world’s largest 30 tonne an hour dryer, the New Zealand dairy industry will continue to look at value added products as a means of going forward. Supplying nutritional milk products to a wider range of high value export markets, will help safeguard companies against the volatility of the bulk dairy commodities market.

In conclusion, despite the turmoil of international markets, the long-term prospects for dairying in New Zealand remain very positive. With the demand for dairy products growing, dairy export revenues are expected to increase. This is largely thanks to the aforementioned strong economic growth in emerging market economies and New Zealand’s position in those markets.

Are you ready for some summer fun in Queenstown, New Zealand? The town may be the most popular ski resort in the Southern hemisphere, but it offers great attractions during the warm months of the year as well. Find out what you can enjoy during the months of December, January and February.

Shotover River Tour

Shotover River runs through a picturesque canyon which is gorgeous all year round and especially during the summer. The fast-flowing river has plenty of rapids so it is certainly exciting to take a ride along it. A jet boat trip will leave you thrilled and refreshed. This one of the Queenstown summer attractions is considered to be a must-do.

Ben Lomond Track

This is one of the best tracks for hiking not only in the Otago region but in the whole of New Zealand. You will see the area at a glance. The view is absolutely spectacular. If the sky is clear, you will be able to see some of the highest local peaks like Mount Earnslaw and Mount Aspiring. The climb is somewhat challenging so it is most suitable for adults and teens with some experience.

Canoeing and Rafting

If you want to enjoy a peaceful paddling trip under the warm sun, you should consider canoeing and rafting. Lake Wakaptipu has some excellent routes. You will certainly love the gorgeous scenery along the shores. You can also try the route along Kawarau River which does not have the rapids of Shotover River.

Queenstown Garden

You will love the beauty of this place. It is great to walk along the footpaths between the gorgeous green trees and the blooming flowers. The small pounds and the fountains add to the peace and quiet. This is a great place to relax.

Golf

If you love this great sport, you should not miss the opportunity to practice it at the Queenstown Golf Club. It has one of the best golf courses in New Zealand. The course is considered to be the most scenic one in the whole country as well. You are bound to have a lot of fun. Jacks Point Golf Course is another top choice in the area. If you are looking for family golf entertainment, you can consider CaddyShack City Mini Golf.

Kiwi Birdlife Park

This is a great attraction for families with children. You should not miss the opportunity to see kiwi birds in their natural environment. This bird breeding sanctuary is home to many other species as well. You will learn new things while having fun.

Do not miss to enjoy all of the most popular Queenstown summer attractions.

With so much to see and do in New Zealand it can be a challenge to fit everything in or choose the best activities. However, if you’re looking for a great off-road adventure, you should consider 4WD hire in Christchurch to begin your adventure holiday. Hiring a 4WD vehicle can give you the best chance to enjoy many different experiences that you might not find on the paved roads and highways throughout the islands. You can see and do more than you would ever think possible because you have more variety of places to visit. Take a drive up a mountain path, along a river bank for a quiet picnic or even through some forested areas for a great camping adventure.

Christchurch is located on the East of the South Island of New Zealand (Aotearoa) and offers one of the International Airports, which means that a large number of overseas travellers arrive here as their first stop. From Christchurch you can travel anywhere in the South Island and even take the ferry across the Cook Strait to the North Island where you can carry on your self drive tour of Aotearoa.

If you plan to stay in Christchurch for the main part of your holiday there are plenty of places to take your 4WD hire vehicle, especially in winter. During the winter months New Zealand becomes a popular ski destination and picking up a 4WD SUV hire is a great way to start your adventure. From Christchurch you can drive to many of the popular mountains including Mt Hutt, Mt Cheeseman, Mt Dobson, Roundhill and the Remarkables. Not only is the type of vehicle more suitable for the terrain but you will have more room to store your skis/snowboards and gear.

If skiing (and winter for that matter!) aren’t your thing, a 4WD hire vehicle is still a great option no matter the season. Many travellers enjoy hiring these vehicles for the main fact that they are seated slightly higher up than in a compact vehicle so they get to see more during their travels, whilst others just like the amount of room they provide.

If you are considering hiring a 4WD SUV in Christchurch here are some places to journey to:

– Take a drive in the Central Otago high country where you will see not only some beautiful countryside and views in the distance, but experience farm life too

– Arrange a hunting trip in the Southern Alps (just be sure to check with the Department of Conservation on the legal places to do so)

– Go fishing from the Rakaia river bed – take the family down in your 4WD hire with a picnic and their swimming costume!

Of course, 4WD hire in Christchurch is actually quite affordable, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding what you need for a price that you can afford. It doesn’t matter whether you hire a car for the day or for a week, because you are sure to find plenty to entertain you when you go off the beaten path in New Zealand. New Zealand is a small country, but it is full of beautiful untouched nature that can only be enjoyed by getting into it. Because of this, 4WD rentals are very popular, and can offer something for just about everyone who comes to the country.