Mr Kiwibird: What is there to do in Christchurch?

[holyman]

Hi Kiwibird, coming over to Christchurch in April for 5 days, any advice on must see sights or places? Is Akaroa actually worth visiting?

 

[Leongsam]

What sort of activities and sites are you interested in? If you have the time, I suggest you add Queenstown to your itinerary.

 

[holyman]

Not enough annual leave to go Queenstown, my wife is there for shopping, she likes Wildferns skincare products from Parrs, for me i prefer to look for business opportunities and properties for investment...

 

[Leongsam]

Don't sign anything without proper due diligence. There are lots of cowboys in the investment and property markets who pray on the ignorance of overseas investors.

Take property as an example, there is a potential 12 BILLION repair bill for the thousands of leaky homes built in 90s and early 2000s. These homes were built to substandard specifications and are rotting from within.

Unscrupulous owners and estate agents are trying to unload these homes onto unsuspecting foreigners.

If you come across property that's a bargain, there's usually an underlying and sinister reason why it's selling cheap.

http://www.emigratenz.org/LeakyBuildings.html
http://www.consumerbuild.org.nz/publish/leaky.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaky_homes_crisis
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/house-building/news/article.cfm?c_id=228&objectid=10591520&pnum=1

There are also loads of scam business "opportunities".

NZ has very weak legislation when it comes to dealing with commercial crime.

 

[kiwibird7]

Looking for shopping then you should hang around Westfield Mall at Riccarton and also the shopping belt along Riccarton Road and Colombo Street near the Cathedral.

Try the Fish And Chips (Take aways) Blue Cod, Scallops.
($12) Beef Steak at the Christchurch Casino-highest floor, or ANGUS BEEF BURGER at McDonald's. If you are into Kiwi Cuisine you can try out the Buffet at Grand Cafe (Christchurch Casino); reservations are necessary. Or Oxford on Avon Riverview Restaurant (upper floor for buffet- lower floor is for roasts/carvery).
http://www.oxfordonavon.co.nz/riverview_Buffet
If you cannot survive without chinese food then head for Joyful Restaurant (try their Beef Brisket Noodle Soup or their Wanton Noodle Soup) at 590 Colombo St (diagonally opposite South City Mall).

Akaroa is a scenic fishing town, Wine and Cheese tasting, Harbour Cruises. Akaroa Cod is quite nice.
Also try Hanmer Springs (Day Trip) Thermal Springs.
Trans Alpine Train round Trip to Greymouth (Day trip) to enjoy the autumn foliage colours.

 

[General Veers]

There are lots of cowboys in the investment and property markets who pray on the ignorance of overseas investors.

Did you mean prey?

 

[littlefish]

Did you mean prey?

Mai a ni la (don't be like that lah). You want him to correct pray/prey/play on top of advice/advise? Maybe he meant pray to God on ensuring ignorance of investors? Don't pray pray ok?

 

[redbull313]

Hi Kiwibird, coming over to Christchurch in April for 5 days, any advice on must see sights or places? Is Akaroa actually worth visiting?

............................

 

[holyman]

Thank you everyone for the information...what about the markets in the city on the weekends? Are they worth visiting?

 

[holyman]

And also, are there any wines worth nuying or investing?

 

[Leongsam]

Thank you everyone for the information...what about the markets in the city on the weekends? Are they worth visiting?

No.........

 

[kiwibird7]

You can't really buy more than 1L of wine per person without incurring customs duty at Changi Airport on your return. Buy good quality wines (RED or WHITE) that are 'reserve' or have won silver/gold medals. I personally prefer MERLOT (Red Wine) or RIESLING(White Wine).

Investing in WINE???? You mean buying over a vineyard. Vineyards are often large concerns or run for generations by families well versed in all the intricasies of viticulture in an fickle climate that can wipe out an entire harvest.

 

[kiwibird7]

There are NO "WET MARKETS" in Christchurch, it is not the same as in Singapore. If you mean the Sunday Markets in Riccarton. You decide yourself whether it is worth visiting.

This is what it looks like, their operating hours and what they sell:

The Riccarton Rotary Sunday Market is the biggest market of its kind in New Zealand - and is a great place to shop! Each week over 300 vendors are there selling a wide variety of goods, from fresh fruits and vegetables to second hand goods, furniture, clothing, art, plants and trees, food and beverages you name it - the market will have it. Join in the fun and fellowship with upwards of 10,000 others whom make their shopping fun at the market. Relax in our new outdoors area and have your lunch with friends and family while listening to music from some local artist. Come and visit us - there's is plenty of parking and we are just 15 minutes drive from the central city.

Open every Sunday (excluding Easter Sunday, then open Easter Monday),
9am-2pm. Riccarton Racecourse, Riccarton Park, Racecourse Road.




http://www.riccartonmarket.co.nz/

 

[Satan]

Looking for shopping then you should hang around Westfield Mall at Riccarton and also the shopping belt along Riccarton Road and Colombo Street near the Cathedral.

.

Haven't been to Christchurch myself but just curious. How are the prices of groceries there? Woolworths and Coles, 2 large players in the Oz market are a bunch of rip-offs. How about over at Christchurch?

 

[kiwibird7]

Haven't been to Christchurch myself but just curious. How are the prices of groceries there? Woolworths and Coles, 2 large players in the Oz market are a bunch of rip-offs. How about over at Christchurch?

Satan: Haven't been to Christchurch myself but just curious. How are the prices of groceries there? Woolworths and Coles, 2 large players in the Oz market are a bunch of rip-offs. How about over at Christchurch?

Woolworths has been converted to COUNTDOWN in Christchurch.
Major Supermarts chains in Christchurch;
1. Pakn'sav ; by far the cheapest but charges 5cents for every plastic bag
2. Countdown; slightly more expensive but free plastic bags
3. Freshchoice (few stores, quite expensive)
4. New World (expensive)
5. Supervalue (most expensive)
The major supermarts give a discount fuel voucher of up to 20cents per litre for petrol if you spend above a certain amount in your grocery shopping. Usually it is 4 cents off per litre for $40 spent on groceries.