Yachties Stuck In New Zealand - Facing Expulsion

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by ArmyDaveNY

I agree with your second paragraph. The use of "humanitarian need" is not warranted nor is it accurate in the vast majority of cases.

I respectfully disagree with your first sentence. It is not a privilege to be able to work hard. It is a sign of character when one works hard and earns the ability to enjoy things. I had a next door neighbor who escaped from Hungary when it was under the boot of the Soviet Socialists. Everything he owned was in one small suitcase yet he worked hard and had a great retirement. He was not privileged. He was a man of character who earned everything he had.

Privilege is a relative thing.

If you are a citizen of one of the richer western countries, if you work hard and do a little planning, cruising is possible for about anyone with decent health. You could argue coming from a family with a good education and work ethic is an advantage (ie: privilege) but really, there is still a huge amount of social mobility if you want to put in the effort and make it happen.

On the other hand, if you look at many poor countries, the hurdles are drastically higher. Wages for "good paying jobs" may only be $2-400/month, education may stop at 4th-5th grade equivalent, visas may be drastically harder to get...compared to these people, pretty much everyone on the thread is privileged.

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by RaymondR

Absolutely not.

For many of us it is a lifestyle. That is, we have chosen to abandon a life of permanent residence ashore and take up a life of permanent residence afloat on the lakes, rivers, seas and oceans if the world. Many of us resent the petty political boundaries of those who live ashore in tribal groupings like flocks of sparrows hindering us, who like to soar in freedom like eagles, in our maritime wanderings.

How dare you lump us in with these inconsequential little ground dwelling, cringing, flocking, avians.

Assuming this post wasn't intended as a joke:

With certain exceptions, cruisers enter on TOURIST visas. You are asserting that you are arriving as a tourist when you enter a country. Assuming you didn't pursue and qualify for one of the non-tourist visas:
- Either you lied to get a visa.
- You are a tourist.

The fact you have issues with "petty political boundaries" or want to live outside the bounds of social convention is irrelevant if you agree that you are a tourist to get into the country.

[taxwizz]

Originally Posted by NaClyDog

As per the US government, NZ isn't a safe place for american citizens because of Covid-19;


https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/ne...ectid=12354666

Was that a Donald Trump tweet?
Just wondering.....

[taxwizz]

Originally Posted by RaymondR

It is estimated that NZ has about 2.4 million feral cats eating up the native wild life. I'm fairly certain that if you could find a home for your extant cat before you got there they would be glad to have you visit and supply you with any number of feral cats to take with you when you leave. You could take the opportunity to stock up on a lifetimes supply of cats.

I am told that they are delicious.
Particularly barbecued.

[Randy Sparks]

Whats going on with the AC Cup in NZ in February? I wanted to plan a trip but.......

[kai kohola]

[IYachties were good business[/I] for NZ marine industry a long time ago. That's changed.

NZ has gotten too expensive. Too greedy.
Most cruisers park their yacht and leave the earliest possible time for their home country and return to their boat in April to continue their cruisers lifestyle visiting pacific Islands or Australia.

BUT in Covid times this won't be possible.
Most Island nations and Australia's borders are closed.

2 options (if NZ allows you in)

1 You will spend the summer in beautiful Covid free New Zealand and go cruising again once your visa expires.

2 Sell your yacht in NZ and fly home.
Once you've left NZ there is no option to come back if on overseas passport.

[kai kohola]

Originally Posted by Randy Sparks

Whats going on with the AC Cup in NZ in February? I wanted to plan a trip but.......

It's on.
On TV maybe. But you can stream it once you've paid for the subscription.

[cj88]

Right now NZ has had zero known cases of Covid-19 in the community for over 100 days and quite understandably they are being very protective of keeping it that way. Apart from international travel, life has basically returned to normal. You can still enter if you are a citizen, permanent resident or a deemed essential sevices worker that has been granted an exemption. Unless you are a citizen or permanent resident returning and intending to stay for more than 90 days you will be charged for your mandatory 14 day stay in quarantine; NZD$3,100 for the first adult, NZD$950 for each additional adult, and NZD$475 per child. Anyone can leave although they have extended the visas for many who found themselves stuck in the country.

Australia still has community transmission ocurring in some States, particularly in Victoria where I am currently. Each State is charging for quarantine. Cruising boats can currently be granted entry into Queensland on a case by case basis these are the rates Queensland are charging for the mandatory 14 day quarantine. AUD$2,800 for 1 adult, AUD$3,710 for 2 adults, and AUD$4,620 for 2 adults and 2 children.

[Old fella]

Originally Posted by Wotname

Nah, we know that the USA is the world leader in the CV response and so it stands to reason (clearly) that those Kiwis aren't....

I have heard this directly from the horse's mouth...haven't you been keeping up with your twitter feed!

Yeah, he’s a champ isn’t he, has me in fits of laughter every time he opens his mouth, I’d pay good money to go see live.

[Old fella]

Originally Posted by BlackHeron

It is funny how poorly some people take rejection here on CF. I am just not that into you kiwis. Get over it.

Damn, let’s break out the violins , with that attitude, chances are, no other place will want you either. Lose the the attitude mate, the world don’t owe you sh*t.

[Old fella]

Originally Posted by RaymondR

One of NZ's exports to Australia was criminals. When they reached plague proportions Australia started shipping them home. This bought a response from the NZ prime minister that Australia was showing a lack of "compassion" in relation to these poor misunderstood folks and she lectured the Australian prime minister fairly publicly for same.

As a consequence you are probably safe from deportation. When they come for you call the press and scream "lack of compassion". With an election coming on I doubt if she'd "eat crow" in it.

Yeah, can you stop doing that, haven’t you got a spare island in some shark infested waters you could use instead.

[Tillsbury]

Originally Posted by BlackHeron

I am continually baffled how people who participate in a forum for "cruisers" can think cruising is a vacation or tourism and not understand what cruising is at all. I am coming to realize more and more, that this forum is mostly made up of wannabees and dreamers with little understanding of the realities of cruising.

We understand precisely what long-term cruising is about. However, it is a lifestyle choice for those who make it. Everyone has one (or sometimes two or more) nationalities, and therefore countries where they are always able to return. The choice to live "somewhere in the world on the ocean" is one that has to be made consciously, in the knowledge that they don't somehow become a different kind of citizen. They have their original nationality shown on their passport. In normal circumstances, they understand that they must plan their routes and constantly make applications for visas and entrance paperwork with its associated costs and restrictions, and they must continue to do that at all times to continue to be welcomed in different parts of the world.

These are not normal circumstances.

[Iains boatyard]

Same situation here in Thailand
The Government has given 6 months amnesty to Foreigners now they have drawn a line in the sand and stated go to Immigration get some sort of visa extension or get out or be arrested.
Some Yachties here think they are special and say they want more time and it’s not fair !!! Yeah well life ain’t fair!
As for me I went to Immigration with a Visa Agent paid the fee and now have a long term stay visa.
Boat secure I am secure tucked away monsoon season on us.

[RaymondR]

Originally Posted by Old fella

Yeah, can you stop doing that, haven’t you got a spare island in some shark infested waters you could use instead.

Why, they're your citizens, why should we be stuck with housing and feeding them.

We actually have two islands to send them to, they are called the North Island and the South Island.

It was their choice whether to be criminals or not and it's not difficult to become an Australian citizen and if you do choose to become a criminal why should you get to choose whether or not you get to live in another country.

[daletournier]

Originally Posted by Fore and Aft

I am hearing you Dale, Tin Can is alright. The marina is bound to have a vacancy but it's fairly costly comapred to putting Sukha in dry storage. You could put her in Bundy or Tin Can bay hard stand storage. Thats if your lightly built production boat can handle being lifted out of the water! (LOL)
I am not sure about moorings in Tin Can bay as every year a number of boats end up on the beach.
Whats your plans when you head back? I don't even think land cruising between states in Australia is really possible at the moment? I tell you life is so upside down at the moment.
Black Heron you are over reacting a bit. Nothing is certain in life and it's all about choices when you leave the security of your own country. If cruising was as safe and secure as you portray then loads more people would be doing it. Just look at Dale on this forum, he has it together and has managed to sail almost to his home country without getting all hysterical and bent out of shape on a forum.
Cheers

Hi mate, whoops, I thought I'd sent that to you privately, must of hit the wrong button....I wonder what else I've put out there unintentionally.. lol.