New Zealand Quarantine (MAF = Ministry of Fisheries) changed the laws on 1st January 2004 for people migrating to New Zealand. 

All containers containing personal and household effects must go from the wharf to the nearest bond store for unpack and inspection. 

This has added about NZ$1,600.00 plus GST some say more to what you previously had to pay, the extra monies go in unpacking charges and hiring a removalists to pick up your goods from the bond store and cart home.

If you think you can save money by unpacking the container yourself.. forget about it ..due to Work Place Safety issues, NZ bond stores are not allowing members of the public to unpack their containers at their bond stores.

To be perfectly honest MAF recent decision its not at all helpful, and is creating wide divisions in the migrating community, and this includes returning New Zealanders. 

The solution apart from giving MAF the flick for creating a stupid costly process, is very simple its called a tailgate inspection , the quarantine officer comes down to the wharf, rail head or bond store and opens the container doors and confirms that the owner has indeed positioned the following contentious items at the container doors. 
Lawn mower, garden tools are indeed washed, the vacuum cleaner has its bag out, the quarantine officer signs off and the container is then delivered to the owners residence for the owner to unpack.

This simple but effective process eliminates re-handling,  goods are kept intact from door to door, minimises loss, theft, pillage or breakages. 
Expedites the return of the shipping container in a short space of time so that New Zealand exporters have a chance to ship their goods and earn income for them selves and ultimately New Zealand

You will find that credit will not be given for migrants, you will have to pay upfront to your clearing agent as you do not have a credit rating

We have been offered a first parcel of 5000mt ammonium sulphate in bulk from Fremantle for discharge Nacala. Terms of business to be either LIFO or other basis offered by owners for discussion. Vessel should be self geared and details in her specifications  should confirm that the gears on board are in good working order. Payment to be L/C at sight The cargo is ready for shipment earliest..

Dear Sirs,

We are looking for Breakbulk vessels/ ships for carrying Cement in regular business every month from Biringkasi Port of South Sulawesi Indonesia to :

1. Mongla Port of Bangladesh - Quantity max : 15,000 MT per shipment.

2. Chittagong Port of Bangladesh - Quantity max : 25,000 MT /shipment

3. Taichung port of Taiwan - Quantity max : 25,000 MT/shipment.

If You are in position please offer the best rate

Seeking a vessel to carry regular monthly consignment ex Cairns to either a) Phuket (Thailand) or b) Male (Maldives)
2 x 11m L x 5.8m W x 1.5 H @ 2 tons each
1 x 12.4m L x 3.0m W x 3.0m H @ 3.5 ton
1 x Container - 40' high cube
Shipments to start from may 2003

People often ask for credit in the shipping industry here is an example of why the industry does not provide credit even to commercial companies 

The New Zealand company is 
Macau Motors 
1100 Great South Rd 
Westfield, Otahuhu, Auckland NZ
The owner is Steve Beston 
On the vessel Bunga Teratai v1061 ex Brisbane to Auckland 
Bill of lading  BNEAS407403 
shipped on board Brisbane 17th March 02 
One ute tray 1.903 cbm / 100 kgs 
Our account to Macau Motors is A$ 402.54 

Steve comes across as the genuine article, his supplier for his 4 x 4 parts comes from Hervey Bay in Queensland. 
Delays of 3 weeks are encountered from his supplier Steve not a happy little vegemite with phone calls to us on a number of occasions asking us to chase his supplier. Goods eventually arrive and shipped out in the week they arrive in Brisbane.

It's now 8th August and still no money, you have to ask yourself would you do business with this man
if you do  .. ask for all your money up front and certainly wait till the cheque has cleared before you hand over your goods. 
In our case we are only talking about A$ 402.54 .. its not as if we are playing for sheep stations ... You have been warned. 
Mind you when or if he does pay we will let you know..

We are looking for ocean going vessel leaving Auckland after America's Cup going to WCUSA to carry the following motor cruiser 21.12 m long x 6.75 m wide x 3.6 m high 513.22 cbm / 150 mt please email nzship@australiatrade.com.au 

We are seeking interest for ship owner with bulk facilities to call into the Port of Kurumba to pick up 10,000 mt of grain 
Please advise minimum parcel ie 1,500 mt or 2,000 mt and whether you have on board self loading / discharging capabilities
please email nzship@australiatrade.com.au 

Exporters to East Timor 
Informed sources in Darwin are saying the U.N are taking 8 to 12 months months or more to pay their Bills / Account, can you afford to carry an account for that long. 

In fact the Northern Territory hasn't been paid for water treatment plant they put in 3 years ago.
Remember Morris Catering from Yatala in Qld who got the U.N contract in Somali. 
Mr Morris was kidnapped and then killed by locals because the U.N after 2 years still owed Morris Catering 70 % of their outstanding account.
Moral of the Story .. make sure you can put food on the table for your workers and their families before you work for the U.N

Thank you for sorting out Brennan's. I finally picked up my boxes today....several ripped and crushed, but mostly intact I think. Anyway, I'm over here, with some of my personal effects, and I want to thank you all at Australia Trade for your patience and diligence. You made an anxious experience much more enjoyable. Thank you! Max Overton http://www.geocities.com/maxoverton2000/ 
PS....if you like historical novels, have a look at my geocities website!