Thread: New member moving to NZ later this year

Greetings and salutations.

My wife was recently awarded a fellowship and our family is moving to NZ some time in late August or September. We're from the States, and I've called Montana home for the past couple of decades, though I grew up in Hawaii. I spent a good bit of my 20s and 30s hiking around with rifles, shotguns, and bows, and casting about in rivers, streams, and lakes. I make no claims to be any kind of expert, especially when it comes to hunting, but I've finally got to the point where I can consistently find most of the game species I target—mule and whitetail deer, elk, pronghorn, various birds—and even harvest a dumb one on occasion. I'm excited to learn some new species and new terrain and get plugged in with a community of like-minded folks. Hence the reason why I'm here, writing this intro. We're not sure exactly where we'll be living, but likely somewhere on the NI (likely Wellington or Auckland), as that's where my wife's work is based.

I'll probably have questions about what gear I should (or shouldn't) bring with me as we get closer to packing time. I have acquired a great deal (some would say too much) gear over the years and will welcome feedback on what's worth shipping over.

On that note, if anyone needs particular items from the States that don't take up too much space, I don't mind acting as a sherpa. Shipping times are long, however, so I can't promise a reasonable timeline.

I'm curious to learn about any conservation minded hunting and/or angling advocacy groups in New Zealand. I'm pretty active with a group called Backcountry Hunters and Anglers out here, and would be keen to join a similar group in NZ if such a thing exists.

If anyone would like any information on hunting or fishing in Montana (or fishing around the US), I'd be more than happy to share.

Thanks in advance,
Miles Nolte

Welcome to the forum.
Please bring a container of Hornady projectiles and large rifle primers with you
Just kidding…maybe…

Welcome, I can speak for wellington if you end up in there.

Groupwise likening to Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, you'll be split between two clubs for each discipline.
I don't think Wellington has a Rod & Rifle club which will be your kiwi equivalent to Backcountry Hunters and Anglers.

Hutt Valley Deerstalkers Association for hunting, they run club hunts, HUNTS courses(Hunter Training) and the occasional competition at their 200m range out at Kaitoke.
You can ballot block into a couple local hunting blocks each year, also Tararuas & Aorangi forest is within 2 hours drive with heli service avalible.


Fishing: Salt water fishing is a more prevalent thing in Wellington & Auckland so the rod & Lure array will grow undoubtly, you have the "trench" in the cook strait (south coast wellington) where you can fish for hapuka, grouper & seasonal kingfish + snapper.

Enjoy the hustle & bustle of Wellington, make some time to travel to the south island.

auckland house prices are ridiculous, wellingtons ok.

Originally Posted by Cigar

Welcome to the forum.
Please bring a container of Hornady projectiles and large rifle primers with you
Just kidding…maybe…

I'll see what I can do.

Originally Posted by Stump

Welcome, I can speak for wellington if you end up in there.

Groupwise likening to Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, you'll be split between two clubs for each discipline.
I don't think Wellington has a Rod & Rifle club which will be your kiwi equivalent to Backcountry Hunters and Anglers.

Hutt Valley Deerstalkers Association for hunting, they run club hunts, HUNTS courses(Hunter Training) and the occasional competition at their 200m range out at Kaitoke.
You can ballot block into a couple local hunting blocks each year, also Tararuas & Aorangi forest is within 2 hours drive with heli service avalible.


Fishing: Salt water fishing is a more prevalent thing in Wellington & Auckland so the rod & Lure array will grow undoubtly, you have the "trench" in the cook strait (south coast wellington) where you can fish for hapuka, grouper & seasonal kingfish + snapper.

Enjoy the hustle & bustle of Wellington, make some time to travel to the south island.

Many thanks for the info. I'll look into those groups if we end up in Wellington. I'd personally prefer to be on the South Island (spent a bit of time there some years back), but gotta go where the jobs are. I do, however, intend to spend as much time down that way as work and family will allow.

Originally Posted by gonetropo

auckland house prices are ridiculous, wellingtons ok.

As foreigners, we can't buy property (a sound rule if you ask me), but it seems the rents in Auckland are bonkers too.

rents and house prices are bloody stupid everywhere, so is the cost of gas and food. you are in for one hell of a wallet shock

Originally Posted by LostYank

As foreigners, we can't buy property (a sound rule if you ask me), but it seems the rents in Auckland are bonkers too.

If you bring a suitcase full of 162gn eldms you'll easily 3x your money that should offset the rent cost
Just kidding we don't condone gouging on this site but that's what they are going for on our local auction site trademe (kinda like ebay).
Welcome aboard even if your sites are set on the wrong island

Welcome to the forum. The fly fishing for trout is pretty good in the North Island. Late winter, early spring still has good numbers of spawning rainbow trout in the Lake Taupo tributaries like the Tongariro and Tauranga-Taupo rivers. Back country fishing usually starts October 1st.

Sadly, it's the same story where I live. Nice little mountain town that used to be relatively cheap. We've been "discovered" and now rents are comparable to what I see listed in the urban areas in NZ once you factor in currency conversion. Good for our property value, bad for the community.
@10-Ring I've been lucky enough to experience some of the trout fishing out that way. I'm excited to do more of it.

I hope the move goes well.
This is a good site and you might meet some members who can set you straight.
I'm an Aussie but the community here has been great.

yep, we even allow australians in here, we must be nice people.

I've always wanted to go to Montana!
If you find yourself in Queenstown then give me a whistle

If you get the choice then wellington would be the better pic for outdoors activity's and auckland sucks.

Im a little north of wellington and have lots of great hunting and fishing on the doorstep in the ruahine ranger's.
Be keen to meet up and show you some spots i want to know about montana a place i have wanted to visit for a long long time.