Stuff for New Zealand

[neonplanet40]

Hi guys as i mentioned before, im goign to New Zealand in september for 4 weeks. I will be doing sky-diving, water zorbing, kayaking, black water rafting, abseiling in caves, bungy jumping, glacier trekking and hiking etc! (www.hakatours.com)

What do you's think I need to bring with me?

Also I need trousers that AREN'T jeans but I am unable to find any. I am 6ft 5 or so and im trying to get like them hiking kaki trousers etc but cant find any long enough Looking to know if anyone knows anywhere online etc where i could get some big enough?

Anything you guys can reccommend me bringing because i Need the help! Never done anything like this before.

Many Thanks

[Andeh13]

An updated will & clean pants for starters!

[Michael]

Oh, nice! Should be incredible, how much has it worked out to cost?

Do you have a good backpack already? To be honest I don't know what to recommend other than don't take more than you need to, if you need something you're short of you will be able to buy almost anything there anyway (I'm talking sundries here, not your laptop!).

For me my packpack would simply contain some clothes (No more than 3 of anything, shorts, pants, tshirts... everything except underwear)... a towel, a bit of a pharmacy kit with the usual neccesitys, sun cream, documents & insurance, camera, chargers (& plug adapters), a small backpack/tote bag for taking out in the day... Also, I use one of those flexi bike lock type things for securing my pack to fixed objects when leaving it which you can usually pick up cheap enough.

I'm sure i've forgotten a few things, but if this thread ends up anything like the "what to take for 24hrs in the desert" thread then... well i'm sure you will be able to distinguish the sensible advice from the not so sensible

Get some money changed, i'd say take about £100's worth in NZ cash, £100 in sterling, and the rest either in travellers cheques or just withdraw from your card in £50-100 at a time, theres usually a charge of £1.50-£3 for the privilage so it does add up!

Can't help with the trousers issue, not a problem i'm familiar with, sorry

You'll have an amazing time, and i'm sure the travel bug will bite you, especially with experiences like that!

[gmarno]

You'll have a great time My brother lives out there and I spent a few months in NZ last year. It's an amazing country with landscape that will knock your socks off (so take a reasonable camera).

One thing I would say is, NZ is NOT cheap, so buy everything you need over here unless you don't mind paying the premium to buy it over there. It's a tiny island in the middle of nowhere with a population under 5 million people. Shipping stuff there costs money and there's not a massive market for it so things cost more.

Hope you have a great time, and have a pint of Speights Old Dark for me while you're there. By far my favourite beer, and something I wish we had in the pubs over here.

[Flibb]

try rohan for travel clothing, they do trousers that havent been pre trimmed for length, so thy can be cheaply cut and finsihed (possibly in shop). Big plus points are that they are quick drying, and fully uv proofed.

Quiet a lot of walking kit comes in a variety of leg lengths, a good shop to look for is cotswold outdoors, probably one of the bigger retailers

[Kata]

I'm half Kiwi.

New Zealand rules!

[TheAnimus]

I have some that fit me nicely (6"4) from Berghaus, they have a big store in covent garden with very helpful staff.

I have two pairs of their zipoff at knee type, one that are made out of a quick drying wicking fabric, its like swimming short type thing, great for hot climate where you never know when you might wanna dive into a river. The other is a fair bit thicker and suitable for colder (thou not freezing) weather. Highly recommend.

[b0redom]

Craghoppers.