Where to Shop in Auckland - Men's Clothing

I'm stating the obvious when I write that New Zealand doesn't carry the local brands young Filipino men are fond of like Bench, Penshoppe, Memo and Onesimus, but they do have Kiwi counterparts. Here's my list:

Since both the Philippines and New Zealand both have them, first on this list is Cotton On. Auckland has many Cotton On stores scattered around the city. They have one on Queen street and in all major malls like Sylvia Park and St. Lukes. They contain pretty much the same so if you forgot to buy something at the local Cotton On in SM, don't worry 'coz they might have it in Auckland.

When I went to New Zealand for the first time I brought a suit. It took a lot of space in my bag and I ended up wearing it only once. So if you're not sure if you're going to need a suit for your studies, don't bring one. Instead, you can shop at Barkers. They make excellent ready-to-wear suits, shirts and jackets. For those staying near Auckland University, the nearest store would be on High Street, behind Queen Street.

Barkers is a bit expensive though. If you want something more affordable, then there's Hallenstein Brothers (or simply Hallensteins). They also sell suits, jackets and shirts, but not as well-made as Barkers. If you're not too concerned with how you look and just want something to wear to that cocktail party, then you can buy your evening clothes here. They have a store on Queen Street.

The last on this list of men's clothing in Auckland would be Bing, Harris & Co (pictured at the top of this post). It's a local brand and they sell jeans, chinos and tees and shirts. It's like Bench and Memo. The designs are up-to-date and the prices are easy on the pocket. I've actually bought a bunch of stuff here. Their nearest store to uni is on High Street.

I know, I know, men don't like shopping. But we can't wear the same thing everyday, right? So during your schooling, you will have to shop for clothes, just to put some variety in your wardrobe.

Happy shopping, guys!

5 Food Products Cheaper in New Zealand than in the Philippines

Yes, for the most part, it is expensive to eat in New Zealand. A typical Big Mac value meal at Mcdonald's will set you back around NZ$11 (or PhP 400). At the grocery and supermarket, fruits and vegetables are likewise expensive. So does that mean students receiving modest stipends will starve in New Zealand? Not necessarily. Because from my experience I know there are at least 5 food products cheaper in NZ than in the Philippines. In no particular order, they are:

Image from shop.countdown.co.nz

1. Steak

Given that there are more cows in NZ than there are people, one can expect for meat products to be cheaper than in the Philippines. I buy 2 pcs. of Countdown Angus beef sirloin steak for about NZ$10 (or only PhP 175 each). That's pretty cheap for Angus beef. So for my entire stay in Auckland I ended up eating steak at least once a week!

Image from chocablog.com

2. Chocolate

If steak is cheap, it follows that dairy products are cheap as well. This is true for chocolate. One big bar of Cadbury chocolate (220 g) can go as low as NZ$2 (or PhP 70). That's super cheap compared to how much they cost at Rustans or SM supermarket. Not only does New Zealand produce their own milk for the chocolate, they have a Cadbury manufacturing facility right in the South Island! 

Here's another thing about Cadbury. It's not even the high quality chocolate here. I feel they treat Cadbury like it was Goya. A better tasting chocolate brand is local favorite Whittaker's.

Image from mainland.com.au

3. Cheese

Let's go full circle with the cow thing. So I said that steak is cheap, and so is chocolate. Well whad'ya know, cheese is also cheap here in New Zealand. A block of Mainland brand Edam or Colby cheese (250 g), which could last you 2 weeks, is just NZ$4 (or PhP 140). That's cheap!

Image from thedailyspud.com

4. Wine

If you include cheese in your Kiwi diet, then you have to have wine. And luckily, wine is pretty cheap in New Zealand. I'm not a wine drinker, but if you're in New Zealand, you might as well start to be one. A bottle of Whale Point Sauvignon Blanc (750 g) is only NZ$7 (or PhP 245). And there's so much to choose from (unlike the very limited selection at our local supermarkets). In my time in NZ, I've tasted Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Rose, Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet, Moscato, Brut, and Chardonnay. Now I'm still no expert, but once you drink New Zealand or Australian wine, you'll never go back to Novelino.

PS: New Zealand is more famous for its white wines (Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Riesling) than its red wines. 

Image from shopnewzealand.co.nz

5. Potato Chips

And finally, in what I believe should be in every person's diet, potato chips is cheap in New Zealand. It's cheap because they grow the potatoes and manufacture the chips right here. A bag of Lays potato chips (150 g) in Rustans can set you back around PhP 110. In Auckland, a bag of Bluebird potato chips (also 150 g) can go as low as NZ$1.5 (or PhP 50). 50 Pesos! Sobrang mura, which means I ate potato chips everyday here in New Zealand!

So there. If you like steak, chocolate, cheese, wine and potato chips, like me, then you will survive here in New Zealand on your stipend. You'll get fat, yes, but you won't break the bank.

Happy eating!

Working in NZ

My student visa allowed me to work for 20 hours a week (For 2014, I think the NZ government increased this to 40 hours a week!). And so for those of you interested to work while studying, you can do so.

But let me warn you, work is hard to find in New Zealand. There's a shortage of jobs. That's why a lot of young Kiwis move to Australia. Aside from the bigger pay, they also have a higher chance of landing a good job in Oz. I'm not saying that there is no job available in New Zealand. There are, but very limited. So you can't be choosy. Of the Filipino postgrad students in Auckland this year (2013), three were able to find work as transcriptionists, one landed a job as a teaching assistant and receptionist, another as a research assistant, one as admin. staff, and another as wait staff. 

It also depends on your background. If your skills are in demand in NZ, then all the better. I can tell you that students with experience in tourism and in the health services are in a much better position that, say, those in the legal profession, like myself. In fact, three of us in the batch are lawyers and none of us could find a job related to our field. Either there is an over-abundance of lawyers or there are not enough cases.

Anyway, let's say you're dead set in working here. What do you do?

Well, the first thing in your agenda should be to apply for an IRD number. This is the New Zealand equivalent for what we call back home as "TIN" (Tax Identification Number). Here are the steps: 

• Download and print the IR595 Form at www.ird.govt.nz. 
• Fill up the form. 
• Then submit the form, together with  photocopies of your 
• Passport information page, 
• NZ visa page, and 
• University ID, at the nearest Inland Revenue appointed verifier. 

In Auckland, the easiest verifier would either be the PostShop or KiwiBank. Don't worry, there are many branches in the CBD. Granting your form and supporting documents are in order, Inland Revenue will mail you your IRD number within 10 working days. And then you're good to go!

The next step is to look for a job in any of the following job search engines:

• Student Job Search
• Seek
• Trade Me

The three work just like JobStreet and JobsDB.

Well, that's it. Good luck in job hunting!

Healthcare in NZ

As you may know, New Zealand is a welfare state, which means citizens enjoy subsidized health care. But what does this affect international students?

Well, if you are in New Zealand on a regular student visa, unfortunately, you are not covered by the New Zealand health care system.

However, students under NZAID Development Assistance Programme (i.e. NZAS scholars) are considered NZ residents during their stay and enjoy this privilege. Here are your benefits:

• GP Care - includes funding for medicines and laboratory tests
• Hospital Care
• GP Referred Laboratory Tests, and
• GP Prescriptions

The University Clinic in Auckland Uni is at the Kate Edger Information Commons.

Kiwi Slang

Here's a short list of Kiwi slang to familiarize yourself before coming over. Words taken from the International Students' Orientation and some from personal experience.

1. Brekkie - Breakfast
2. Dunny - Toilet. (Please, do NOT use "CR" over here.)
3. Bugger Off - Go away
4. Piss Up - Social gathering with alcohol
5. Sweet As - Cool; Awesome; No worries
6. Pakeha - a white Kiwi
7. Yonks - A long time ago. As in, "I haven't seen in Yonks"
8. Tiki Tour - Scenic route

Others:

• Arvo - Afternoon
• Cheers - You're welcome
• Paper - Course; Subject. As in, "How many papers are you taking this term?"
• Serviette - Tissue; Napkin
• Tomato Sauce - Ketchup ("Toh-mah-toe Sauce")

Friendly Information from the International Office

I am reprinting what the University of Auckland International Office gives out to international students at the start of every academic year. You might as well know it a few months before, right?

Student Services Online (SSO)

• SSO allows you to apply for admission to the University, enrol in classes, view your timetable, update your details and much more.
• You can look up your NetID/UPI in the update personal details section.
• If you forget your password, email onelogon@auckland.ac.nz

EC Mail

• All enrolled students are provided with a free University student email account called EC Mail. Your university email address is one of the University's official means of communicating with you. University communication (e.g. information about your courses, classes, exams, library notices and fees) are sent to this email address and you must check your EC Mail regularly. It is recommended that you link your EC Mail to your personal email address.
• Your email address will be NetID/UPI@auckland.ac.nz.
• Immigration New Zealand will communicate with you through your student EC Mail.

Printing/photocopying

• Cost: black & white - 10 cents per page; color - 20 cents per page
• To print/copy, you need your Student ID card.
• You need your student ID card to add money to your print and copy balances.
• You can add money to your copy and print balances at any of the IC Helpdesks or by using one of the self-service ePOS stations located on campus.
• To transfer money between your copy and print balances, go to: http://www.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/cs-add-money
• If you don't have a student ID card, you can take your passport to IC Helpdesk on Level 2, Kate Edger Information Commons to add money to your copy and print balances.

Scanning

• Cost: Free
• Location: Level 0, 2, 3, 4 of Kate Edger Information Commons.

Internet Access

• Students have unlimited high speed access to all University websites and 10G data allowance for other websites.
• For wireless network, please visit www.auckland.ac.nz/wireless.

CECIL

• CECIL is the University's web-based Enterprise Learning Management System. All students enrolled in courses at the University of Auckland have access to CECIL automatically.
• You can use CECIL to:
• Access information and materials relevant to courses in which you are enrolled.
• Check course announcements, marks for coursework and exam times.
• Download learning resources.
• Complete online tests.
• Participate in online discussion/chat.

Student ID Card

• A student ID card can only be printed if:
• Your enrolment appears in SSO.
• You have a photo in SSO.
• Once you have both the above requirements, the card will take approximately 10 working days to print.
• You can collect your student ID card from the International Student Information Centre, G23 Old Choral Hall, 7 Symonds Street.
• In order to collect your student ID card from the International Student Information Centre, you will need to provide:
• A copy of your bio data page on your passport (photo page).
• A copy of your valid student visa to study at the University of Auckland.
• A completed contact information form (available at the International Office).

MAXX Tertiary ID Sticker

• MAXX Tertiary ID stickers give you up to 40% off selected bus, train and ferry fares. The discount applies to the one-way single adult fare when purchasing a tertiary 10-ride ticket of 7-day Northern Pass.
• You need to be a full-time tertiary student to be eligible for the MAXX ID sticker.
• You can request the sticker will be given to you when you collect your student ID card.

Banking in NZ

As a scholar, one of the first things you have to do when you arrive is open a bank account. Otherwise, you won't get your stipend. The University of Auckland has two banks in campus, ANZ and ASB. Most of us chose ANZ since the branch is in Kate Edger Information Commons, which is at the center of campus.

Normally, it'll cost NZ$10 to open a checking (or cheque) account, but since we are students, it is free. ANZ calls it a Freedom Account. To open it, you have to prepare the following:

• Photocopy of passport
• A residential address in Auckland, and
• Proof that you are a student (i.e. letter of acceptance)

That's it. The bank officer will open your checking account and give you your account number. You just have to wait for the university to deposit your stipend, and then you can start using it. 

Most banking transactions are done on-line here. I know we already have on-line banking in the Philippines, but I did not make use of it as much as I did in New Zealand. Probably because may bayad ang over-the-counter transactions dito. You read that right, the bank charges you a fee every time you withdraw or pay at the branch. So banks actually encourage you to withdraw and pay on-line. Don't worry, the user interface is very friendly. It's easy to transfer money from one account to another, and to pay a person or a bill. You just need the bank account number of the payee.

After a few days, you'll eventually receive your debit card (more commonly known as an EFTPOS card--short for electronic funds transfer at point of sale card) in the mail. Then you can start using it to pay for almost anything in New Zealand. Just don't forget your PIN code.

Happy banking in NZ!