Where the Plastic Card is King!

Plastic cards are very important to one's survival here in New Zealand. In fact, I carry six of them on my person wherever I go. After you arrive, make sure you get these within the first few weeks.

First in the list is the DEBIT CARD (a). Kiwis don't use paper money that much. Most of them rely on debit (or EFPOS) cards to pay for everything. And I mean everything. From books at Whitcoulls to clothes in Bivouac to a sandwich at Burger Fuel to even just a bottle of water at the superette, the EFPOS card is indispensable.

Next, your SCHOOL ID CARD (b). Unlike our IDs in the Philippines, the NZ School ID card is your all-in-one card. It has many uses. For instance, your department will put in X amount of NZ$ for your photocopying and printing expense. All you need to do is slide your ID card on the printer's terminal and it will print your documents. Other uses for the school ID card include borrowing books at the library, and getting discounts at the post-grad cafe, movie theaters and on public transportation.

Regarding public transportation, do not forget to apply for a HOP CARD (c) at Auckland Transport (either at the Quad in Kate Edger Information Commons or at Britomart). You will need this card to get around town via the bus system. Show your school ID so you can avail of the student discount. There is another card called the AT card for use on trains.

Fourth is the SUPERMARKET CARD (d). Mine is the OneCard from Countdown Supermarket. It's like the SM Advantage Card. You earn points whenever you buy. When you have enough points, you can use it to pay for goods. Also, the supermarket sometimes gives deals exclusively for OneCard holders. Sign up the first time you shop at Countdown!  The OneCard is free anyway!

Then there's the MOVIE PASS (e). I got mine at Events Cinemas down at the Civic Centre along Queen Street. Regular price for a movie here is around NZ$17.00 (PhP 580). That's a bit steep. But with this student VIP card, a movie is only NZ$10 (PhP 340). A bit pricey for Manila standards, but way cheaper by forty percent from regular price here. If you like watching movies like me, invest on this. It's NZ$10 a card, pero consumable naman.

Last is the FASTFOOD CARD (f). The one I have is the Subway SubCard. It's like your typical fastfood card (think Shakey's Supercard or Greenwich's Greencard). It has a point system as well, plus offer exclusive deals for cardholders. I don't use this as much since I've been making my own sandwiches lately. But if you like subway, then get their card. It's free.

Sending a Balikbayan Box to New Zealand

Chances are you might not be able to bring all the stuff you want to bring to New Zealand on the plane due to weight limitations (anywhere between 20 to 30 kilos, depending on the airline). And like me, you might be forced to send a balikbayan box via door-to-door/freight forwarder. There are a few out there. But my friend recommended to me PhilNZ Global Cargo (Adonis Abrogena, 09303560055; adonis.philnz @ gmail.com). It is located at Ocean-Link at the Port Area of Manila (just google it for the exact location).

When you get to Ocean-Link, don't expect to see a big sign of PhilNZ Global Cargo. There's none. Either PhilNZ is just a trade name or maybe PhilNZ  is concessionaire. But don't worry, it's a legit operation. There's just no physical office. Parang different cargo companies all share one terminal. Anyway, you just have to ask around. Look for Adonis. He'll take care of you.

I sent one balikbayan box to Auckland. The standard size is 20x20x20 (although you can send odd sized boxes, just be prepared to pay more). PhilNZ recommends "Star" Balikbayan Box, available in National Bookstore. Yun daw ang matibay. But if you ask me, parang hindi rin. Just to be sure, I suggest you buy those cloth box covers (pictured above) to ensure nothing falls off in case of deformation during shipping.

The rate for one box is NZ$180.00 (around PhP6,120). You pay it upon delivery in New Zealand na. So you don't pay anything to Adonis in Manila. If you don't have time to drop it off at the port, you can have PhilNZ pick it up. There's a pick-up charge of NZ$30.00.

Below are the rest of the terms and conditions of PhilNZ Global Cargo:
 
  1.    Nothing to pay in Manila or Cebu. All (except pick-up charge) are payable in

        Auckland  upon delivery or prior (BANK DEPOSIT) if final destination is outside

        Auckland.

  2.    Pick up is Not FREE if sending one box only. Shippers/Senders has an option to

        deliver their box to our warehouse to avoid paying pick-up charge.  Pick up charge

        payment is optional (upon pick-up or can be paid in NZ). Pick up address

        is in Metro Manila or Cebu City only. Our Manila or Cebu office will guide on how to

        go to our warehouse
  3.    Pick up & Delivery one address only.
  4.    If sending 2 or more boxes, marking on the boxes should be to one

          person only.
  5.    Boxes should NOT contain any kind of FOOD, used  vacuum

        cleaner, used camping or used sporting equipment like Golf Set or Golf Shoes,

        garden tools etc. Cigarettes or Liquors to avoid extra charge on  MAF Inspection

       & NZ Customs Tax & Duty. Seasonings /  Mix are considered  food.

  6.     Extra charges: MAF Quarantine & NZ Customs Clearance Charges / MAF

        Quarantine Inspection / Customs Duty or Tax) will be pre paid by ourselves

        in order to secure clearance for your box. The original invoice/bill/receipt by the

        authority will be given to you to indicate the actual payment. These extra charge

        will be included on your total payable charge.
  7.    We charge by the size of the box used and not by the weight. All boxes are Flat &

        Square and strongly packed. Odd size box or over filled box are acceptable BUT

        extra charge will be imposed. Calculation of extra charge is done “PRO RATA”

  8.    NO INSURANCE all at shipper’s risk – Our charge doesn't include Insurance.

       People are not encouraged to load Valuable items / Breakable /  Fragile items.

  9.    COMMERCIAL Consignment (goods of commercial quantity).

       The above and our charges doesn’t apply to commercial consignment. 

  10.  STORAGE – 3 days FREE STORAGE. Free storage commenced from the date

       of the clearance of the goods. You will be advised soon as your box  are cleared

       and ready for delivery. 

PhilNZ ships to New Zealand only twice a month, so always call and ask when's the next scheduled shipment. Also, it takes about 5 weeks to get to New Zealand. So take that into consideration.

Medical for NZ Student Visa

Because I was going to stay for more than 6 months in New Zealand, the embassy required me to take a medical exam before they issue me a student visa.

There is a list of accredited diagnostic clinics (Visit Immigration NZ's Health Information page for the complete list of approved panel physicians). I chose the St. Luke's Medical Center Extension Clinic in Ermita, Manila, due to its close proximity to my former place of work. (1177 J. Bocobo Street; 5246081)

I thought it was going to be the routine medical check-up. Boy, was I wrong. It was the complete she-bang! Blood, urine, x-ray AND physical exams!

So, to avoid any surprises, I am sharing a few tips:

Tip #1: Fast before you go. Unless you want to return to the clinic, I suggest you fast the night before--meaning don't eat for 12 hours.

Tip #2: Come to the clinic early. I guess it depends on the clinic you go to, but at St. Luke's in Ermita, there were a lot of people. If you intend on going there, I suggest you come early--like 7 in the morning.

Tip #3: Clean up and trim for the physical exam. I'll be honest. I was not prepared for the physical exam part. Had I known earlier that a doctor will inspect my private parts, I would've trimmed down there. So when you go, make sure you're clean and trimmed. :D

Allocate another PhP 10,000.00 for this procedure.

Applying for a New Zealand Student Visa

You have to go to the New Zealand Visa Information and Application (VIA) Centre in Allegro Center located at 2284 Chino Roces Extension, Makati. It's the one with a BDO and Starbucks on the ground floor. VIA can be found on the 3rd floor.

Step 1:

Complete the application form.

If you get the NZAS scholarship, you do not need to provide any evidence of financial support or proof of paid course fees. You are considered a "New Zealand Aid Programme-supported student."

Step 2:

Submit photocopy of your NZAS scholarship award letter

Step 3:

Submit 2 passport-size color photos

Step 4:

Submit your Philippine passport

Step 5:

Submit your medical certificates. 

Remember to put all of these documents inside a long brown envelope. VIA sells PhP3/envelope!

Step 6:

Pay the appropriate fee (around PhP 10,000.00). They only accept bank check or manager's check. They do NOT accept cash or credit card.

To download the student visa application form, visit: http://www.immigration.govt.nz/manila. For more information, call 8459222.

Applying for the NZAS Scholarship

Once you get an unconditional offer from a participating New Zealand university, then you can proceed with your application for the NZAS Scholarship. Here are the things that you have to do:

1. Get a certified true copy of your birth certificate. For this you go to the NSO.
2. Get a certified true copy of the personal pages of your Philippine passport. You should go to the Office of Consular Affairs of the DFA on Diosdado Macapagal Ave. at ASEANA Complex, Paranaque.
3. Get a certified true copy of your academic transcript. Make sure it's in english.
4. Get a certified true copy of your diploma.
5. Take the IELTS or TOEFL. Submit the original test result. It should not be more than 2 years old. Allocate around P10,000.00 for this test.
6. Request for a Job Description from your office's HR department.
7. Submit your resume/curriculum vitae.
8. Get 3 reference letters. One should come from your employer. Another from your teacher. And the last, from a relevant government office or NGO.
9. Write an essay describing the knowledge you want to gain from the study. Make sure it's 500 words.
10. Write another essay describing how the study will enable you to contribute to the development of the country. Also 500 words.
11. For Masters and PhD, write a third essay outlining your proposed research topic. Also 500 words.

Don't forget to make photocopies. Once you've completed these documents, you submit them, along with your application form to Bato Balani Foundation:

New Zealand ASEAN Scholars awards
c/o Bato Balani Foundation, Inc.
6F, PDCP Bank Centre
Rufino cor. Leviste Streets
Salcedo Village, Makati
1227 Philippines

The deadline for submission for SY 2014 is 15 July 2013.