I am heading down to Dunedin, New Zealand for a few months to student teach. I want to bring my climbing gear, but I was wondering if the machines used to zap the microbes in items that have been exposed to soil will harm a rope. I'm assuming that they don't, but I just want to make sure. Thanks for your input.

Dunno about machines. They washed my boots in some kind of disinfectant last time I was there (Feb 08 ), and they did the same to my son's tent but they have never seemed concerned about my rope on any of my visits to NZ.

There's some new bug or weed in the water in some south island lakes and streams which they are trying to contain. They have disinfection stations set up in petrol stations around the place for that.

Hey, thanks for the information. I am glad to hear from someone who has been there. Just one other quick question, are there any other considerations I should take concerning bringing gear with me? How about chalk. Do they care about that? I am a complete newbie to world travel so any input from more seasoned veterans is greatly appreciated. Thanks again!

I think the bug is 'didymo' (sp?) or something? They're paranoid about it getting between Aust & NZ. If only they'd been so vigilant about Russell Crowe.

They check boots, tents (especially the pegs), walking poles etc for traces of soil. So it's a good idea to have those things on top of your bag, inside, to make it easier to get at.

Christchurch has a good range of climbing gear - yes, even chalk! - but it is significantly more expensive than the US and the range more limited. You might find, with the exchange rate, that some soft goods - fleece clothing etc - is OK value in NZ, so don't go overboard bringing that stuff.

Know that though your luggage allowance US-NZ is 2 x pieces of 32kg = 64kg (or 2x23kg=46kg) the allowance on separate internal domestic flights (Chch-Dunedin) or flights to Aust is only 20kg.

The currency exchange desks at the airport give the same rate as the banks in town. There are ATMs everywhere, otherwise.

I've found the buses expensive and slow, so I usually hire a car. If you book in advance, http://www.standbycars.co.nz/ is usually the cheapest by far.

D