Air New Zealand Air Points - Family moving to NZ for a year

My family and I are thinking of moving to New Zealand for a year. My children are 8, 6, & 4 and our plan would be for them to attend school in NZ during that year. We would like to do this move in the August / September time frame.

During the time there we plan to travel extensively in the area [NZ, Australia, Asia, Pacific Islands, etc.]

What advice of any type can you give me?

Personal side: What city, what school, what to look out for, suggestions, etc.

FF side: what USA FF programs are most compatible with Air NZ? how do I upgrade on air NZ? is Air NZ really the only game in town or should I consider Qantas, etc.?

Any thoughts on the subject would greatly be appreciated.

I presume you have already checked out whats needed to live in NZ for a year? If not then this government website (http://www.govt.nz/ttkw/?treeid=9) has info to get you started.

Air NZ and Qantas both have extensive networks in the region - but no intra-Australia flights by Air NZ, and only main cities served within NZ by Qantas. Also Air NZ has the better network within the South Pacific. Unless you are planning a lot of travel, you should be fine sticking with either One World or Star Alliance depending on where you want to fly. Aligned US FFPs - the obvious ones are United (for Air NZ) and American (for Qantas). Note with these you wont be able to upgrade on their partner airlines, and there are no local credit cards which allow credit in these programs. United would have a slight edge as they fly to Australia so possibly can upgrade trans-pacific.

NZ is a great place to live and your kids are so lucky to have this opportunity. Best place to live depends on your requirements? Do you need work? Need to invest? Like city life (Auckland)? Into arts/culture (Wellington)? Quieter pace (Cambridge or Christchurch)? Outdoors (Nelson or Dunedin)? Etc.

Congrats on the move, what a wonderful experience for your family.

From the amount of planned travel during the 12 month period, I assume you will not be confined to a particular city by a job. If you post the things that interest you most, we can help guide you in the right direction. I assume you want a home base, so the kid have some stability and normalcy with a school year. Remember that the NZ school year is very different to the US. Check this thread http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=320780 for school dates.

NZ really is one of the most scenic countries in the world, within short distances you can be in so many different "countries" and micro climates. If you have a love of the outdoors and all things associated with adventure and the outdoors, then NZ will be paradise for you.

We would like to do this move in the August / September time frame. ... During the time there we plan to travel extensively in the area [NZ, Australia, Asia, Pacific Islands, etc.]
From Plano to NZ in August will get you a temperature swing of maybe 60 degrees F / 30 degrees C.

There are four school terms / semesters in NZ; roughly late Jan/early Feb to early/mid-Apr, mid/late Apr to early Jul, mid July to mid/late Sept, and early Oct to Dec. There are two weeks between each term / semester during the year and six weeks during summer from before Christmas to late Jan/early Feb.

I'd guess you might want to make some of your travel plans around those dates. If you want to ski maybe you could do that as soon as you arrive, or if you want to avoid the colder weather plan to do some of your Pacific Islands travel then. NZ is arguably best seen during its own summer.

Agree also with kiwiflyer that where to live depends on your requirements, particularly work ones. The 'which school' decision can come after that . . .

Other suggestions? Live by the beach :cool:

Some more info on the NZ master thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=401294) (sorry its not yet completed).

As you probably know from August 6 NZ will be operating their new Longhaul Product (http://www.airnz.com/travelinfo/ontheplane/new_long_haul_cabins/default.htm#premium) on flights between SFO and AKL from August. Roughly -
Y – 34” pitch with AVOD 8.4” Screen
Y+ - 40” pitch on the upper deck. [extra width, recline and a full sized leg rest] Programmed Mood Lighting and Inseat power jacks
J – Full Flat Seat like VS Upper Class Suite [Upper Deck, Lower Deck and Nose]

Domestically within New Zealand there is only one class and as usual the cheapest tix don’t earn FF mileage [on NZ anyway]. But the NZ Koru Club lounges are the best – [If you’re the only *G in the family you’ll need to leave the kids at the gate].

Crossing the tasman or popping over to the Pacific Islands is much cheaper than before if you book online in advance thanks to the current aviation situation. As usual the cheapest tix don’t earn FF mileage [on NZ anyway]

As a *G as long as your all on the same PNR you'll be able to reserve seats together towards the front of the aircraft.

As others have indicated – Where to live depends on your requirements

We are thinking about Auckland or Christchurch.

We are interested in outdoors stuff.

If we are planning many 'weekend' international trips would being in Christchurch be a big disadvantage over being in Auckland [since it seems that Auckland is a bigger gateway] or will not matter [since there seems to be a lot of flights between Auckland and Christchurch]?

I have many AA miles, Continental, Delta, AMEX MR, Diners miles.

Can you upgrade on AZ using Amex MR or UAL miles?

Is it easy or hard to upgrade on AZ?

Any other must do's [i.e. can the family join the NZ club] if we are planning to travel a lot both in and out of NZ?

Auckland and Christchurch are both beautiful cities. CHC is smaller, has a somewhat English feel to it, is close to some very good skiing, some spectacular scenery, mountains, lakes etc.
AKL would definately be #1 choice for intl flight gateway, but as you mentioned their are very regular flights CHC-AKL. AKL is sub-tropical IMO, again spectacular scenery, Bay Of Islands, sailing at your door step.

From what I have read here NZ is very hard to u/g on, op ups are few and far between, just because you are a good customer upgrades are rare, one has to use specific certs and be on the right fare. In other words they don't dish out upgrades like our NA carriers.

You will be able to spend your UA miles on NZ, but not to u/g. However, domestic fares in NZ are so reasonable you may not want to spend the points/miles. It seems as if you are a One World supporter more than *A. NZ seems to have better inter Pacific Island service than QF, however NZ is limited in OZ.

Koru Clubs are nice, AC MLLs' and UA RCCs' could learn a thing or two.

If your into mountain activities (hiking, skiing) then CHC is more handily placed. Water activities, AKL.

If you're planning on using AA miles extensively then AKL is much more convenient (Qantas isnt strong out of CHC). But I wouldnt base myself in a particular city just because of convenient international gateway - lifestyle, types of activities, climate, etc all more important IMHO.

Sky Team miles wont get you anywhere other than on Korean (to Seoul). Delta also has Singapore as partner, SQ flies from SIN to AKL and CHC. Is Qantas a partner of Continental?

BTW, Air NZ code is NZ (AZ is Alitalia!).

For 2/3-day weekend trips within NZ, both Auckland and Christchurch offer plenty of variety. For outside NZ, from Christchurch only the east coast Australian gateways are easy to do. From Auckland, east coast of Australia plus Cairns, Adelaide, Perth and south pacific islands are possible. Some have even been known to visit Singapore for the weekend :o

Yes anyone can join NZ Airpoints or Koru Club. If you hold *G status then I wouldnt bother joining koru club. In this part of the world elite status alone is enough to gain lounge access & guest, even for domestic flights (note special rules for some small regional koru clubs).

From personal experience for the South Pacific you may well find there are more award seats available on Air Pacific than AirNZ. Not sure how it works as they are neither OW or *A but you can buy award seats to the Islands through Qantas who is OW (and who own a major share of Air Pacific).

20 cents worth on where to live (I will confess at this point to being Taihape born and bred, alright enough laughing NZ FTers :D ).....Christchurch is a lovely city and much better access for winter sports, tramping. Auckland has better summer / water sports, ie fishing, diving, sailing, surfing (though both can offer both) and is a better gateway.....only other comment, one year will not be very long with your children in school (we are doing something similar here in the UK albeit for 4 years and I am working full time). Also children in NZ will quickly get involved in various extra curricula activities so be aware you may well loose weekends to family activities if you are not careful.

(I will confess at this point to being Taihape born and bred, alright enough laughing NZ FTers :D )....

Can any one tell us about the Koru Club access at Taihape ?? :D :D

Koru Club at Taihape? :D I dont think they even have a station caff any more to get a decent meat pie.

Koru Club at Taihape? :D I dont think they even have a station caff any more to get a decent meat pie.

Aaaahhh cold meat pies and weak cups of tea in unbreakable china..... :(

Still now I'm here in the UK .........its Pork pies and warm beer.

Sorry AAaLot this is all very OT.

Sorry AAaLot this is all very OT.

Uncharacteristically so :D

Thanks for your help so far.

We continue to debate Christchurch for the beach areas north of Auckland.

One of the issues we will have is the need to a furnished house and the need for a primary school close to that house. I am in the lucky situation that I can be flexible with my monthly expenses [for that year at least :)].

Would looking at holiday houses make sense or will we run into schooling problems?

What is a good fare between CHC/AKL?

[Would looking at holiday houses make sense or will we run into schooling problems?]

You should have no problems with schooling for your two oldest children (and the youngest when he turns 5) as most NZ towns have a decent local primary school. Of course there are a few very small beach resorts without schools in which case a free bus will be provided.

While a beach resort would get you a furnished property it will also put you in a small semi-rural community (unless you are looking at the Whangaparoa Peninsula) which will mean less amenities than you are probably used to in Plano. Not a negative, just something to think about.

What advice of any type can you give me?

Personal side: What city, what school, what to look out for, suggestions, etc. If you are trying to decide what NZ city, town or beach you should move to, the best advice is to go visit the candidate places before making the decision. The price of a recon trip pales in comparison to the price of ending up for a year in place saying if I only knew ...

Koru Club at Taihape? :D I dont think they even have a station caff any more to get a decent meat pie.
They've got the 'gum boot' cafe though (if I'm thinking of the right place!) where you order and get a gum boot with your number on for you to stick on your table.

It's certainly a step up on Ngaruawahia of which I have very bad memories!

Take look at this site Below) for finding somwhere to live, I know that they have found furnished houses for people taking a year out as well. The book may be of help deciding where to live as well. I am in NZ (well Japan this week) for a year, I think Auckland is the place to be, but everyone will tell you different things. I like it because you are 3 hours drive from the bay of Islands, close to an airpot with all the links. And they have other things to do very close, like now you have real snow 365 days a year at snow plannet, I go there at least once a week.

tht

http://www.wheretoliveinauckland.co.nz/
http://www.snowplanet.co.nz/

What is a good fare between CHC/AKL?

I see you have AA in your title. I would try to stick with QF as much as possible. The cheapest fares AKL-CHC are under NZ$100 one way. One key point is that NZ does not award miles on these types of cheapies, while QF does (and you can credit them to AA).

QF only credits to CO on North America-origin tickets, so try to stick to crediting to AA.

If you need to get out of CHC to Oz or USA, you can route CHC-AKL-LAX on QF, or CHC-SYD/BNE/MEL on QF direct.

I see you have AA in your title. I would try to stick with QF as much as possible. The cheapest fares AKL-CHC are under NZ$100 one way. One key point is that NZ does not award miles on these types of cheapies, while QF does (and you can credit them to AA).

Yay ! 500 AAdvantage miles for going out of your way to fly on QF.

If you are picking where to live primarily in terms of a base for travel, then your choices are AKL and CHC; with CHC being my own choice, but it is a bit hard to compare these cities (I suppose an analogy would be AKL is like San Francisco and CHC is like Santa Cruz, much smaller and a university town). CHC has greatly improved its air services in the past 5 years to the point that it is fully competitive with AKL unless you plan lots of trips to the South Pacific (then you'll be transitting AKL a lot). Housing prices in CHC are lower and generally better quality than AKL for short-term rental. Like most large cities AKL has a drug problem that is visible in places (while CHC seems to have less of that, maybe due to being smaller and more isolated); probably not a consideration for your choice but something to keep in mind and look for.

Choices outside of large cities would be Thames on the Coromandel peninsula (artists colony, somewhat analogous to Carmel in California, small town of maybe 10,000 population about 3 hours drive from AKL). Nelson on the north shore of the south island (maybe the best climate in all of NZ but a bit isolated, airport has no jet service). The beach resort areas 50 km north of Wellington are quite good (sorry, forget the names, but these are small towns that are becoming commuting communities for WLG; might suit your needs given the excellent museum in Wellington and other educational resources as well as an interesting airport). Dunedin south of CHC; much smaller, strong Scottish flavour and much colder/harsher climate than CHC but very charming and more of an experience.

We have decided in Christchurch.

Does anyone know if state schools have to accept international students in their zone [for a fee]?

I am afraid we will get there and we will be unable to find schools for our children.

While I'm not familiar with current schooling in Christchuch (its a while since I went to school there), most NZ schools are actively seeking international students (for the fees).