3 months

Hi there, almost 3 months ago i moved to Auckland, and I can hardly believe it was just 90 days ago.

It's been a tough time recently. 

Last weekend my mom who lives in Altay in the middle of Russia lost her dog. This dog, Lisa, was a true member of the family and she has lived with us for nearly 20 years. Now mom is officially there alone, and it was literally a physical pain to hear her crying on the phone. 

You know, time goes on and parents are not getting younger. Everyday you spend away trying to settle down in a foreign country or saving for a house to bring old ones to visit, your parents are one day closer to the other big day.

Mom feels her life has passed away and she doesn't have much to wait for. Her only concern is me being happy and us living near by. Here I am, as far away as only possible.

The second commitment is my dog Chiquita whom I had to leave in Finland. If I knew from the very beginning she'd have to be away for that long, I would never move to NZ by myself at first place. 

For now Chiquita lives with my good friend, but she has already gotten health problems because of the stress and all medical treatments she had to go through. It will take another month-two to bring her to NZ.

As you see, immigration is not going to be an easy way if you have commitments or strong emotional bonds  at home. I would really question the decision twice.

Speaking about me, there were times when i was going to bed thinking tomorrow i would buy a ticket back for sure, but life is not that easy, of course. In Auckland, and I don't regret it after all. Still a chance to beat them all.

On the good side, I've found a job, and I start on Monday. 

As most best things in life, it came all of sudden. They called me early on Friday and invited for an interview. I had other things to do, the place to see was far away, and it was about to rain, but well, a chance  was still a chance.

The company is a small family run business in selling and hiring machines and equipment like excavators. It doesn't happen often but I felt like being a part of the family from the very first minute. The best part is that people in the company are very open-minded and flexible. I'll be independent and I will have a lot of things to do and to learn. I've got my first task to do, the "homework": to learn driving rules and pass a test on Monday. Guys promised to get me driving in one month already, can you imagine.

Oh yes, my job has nothing to do with polymers, it's an administrative role with a touch of accounting and marketing - ideal case for me for now.

Polymers are here to stay though, and i have a plan for them too.

A few days ago I was coming back from another interview, got lost and had to use a train. Trains are much older here than in Finland, but for some reason I like them a lot, and coming home from the station I thought it would be cool to work somewhere I'd have to go by train. The dream came true :)

Another dream that almost came true was a hammock. I fell for the idea in Dusseldorf a few years ago when we saw it in a shop in the City center.

 And look what I've found on the Long Bay beach a few weeks ago

The cat on the following picture lives somewhere in my neighborhood. It's famous for being extremely fluffy, arrogant and photogenic. 

My first picture from the well-known around Mount Eden, and you can see the crater behind me.

Closing of the open air movies season in Viaduct. We watched old "Willy Wonka and Chocolate Factory "- major like.

On Sunday we went to pick up mushrooms. Yuki was there with us!

A few mushrooms I saw mostly looked like that one.

Basically, we found no mushrooms but met locals who let us ride horses instead. I was not complaining.

A Finnish touch in Auckland: korvapuusteja

A rainy day in Auckland, it's a middle of autumn already, oh boy.

On the way to my job-to-be I felt a familiar smell. It was so nice, I couldn't help but follow it. Guess what, guys were building composite walls. You can definitely state I miss Arcada, say hi to Rene from me.

 Superwomen don't cry.

P.s. Pasha, your taking-pictures-skills need an urgent improvement!

Bu,

Lena

Auckland - first week - 2

As I entered a waiting room in the airport, Artem was looking for me.

Important need-to-mention-to-make-it-clear. Artem and his wife Olga, later also their little cute girl Arina, were pretty much the only people I knew relatively well in New Zealand. We never met each other before, but kept in touch through e-mails as I adopted for a short time their wonderful dog, Yuki. When guys left Russia and settled down in New Zealand, they couldn't take Yuki with them. I heard their story on the forum and offered to take the dog for a certain time, so it could travel with Chiquita and me to NZ.
It was easy to see how much these guys love their pet, and Yuki is such a great one, it was pure pleasure for me and my friends, who met her in Helsinki.
Anyways, you heard the story, Chiquita had small problems with her tests and had to stay longer in Finland. However, Yuki has safely arrived to Auckland the same day as me.

As I said, we never met with Artem before and I was very much surprised with his looks. He looked like a real Nordic man with very blond hair and a face of a Scandinavian. I saw just a few men of Artem's looks in Sweden, never in Finland. So this is where Nordic people hide, in New Zealand :) fair enough, I mean far enough :)

Artem has kindly offered to pick me up from the airport and even took a day off from work. I felt very uncomfortable to bother him, but thinking afterwards, there is no chance I would manage myself alone with all the bags and being totally new to NZ.

As we talked in Russian with Artem, it didn't really feel like I was somewhere else, especially in NZ. However, the nature was pure dissonance. There were palms everywhere! And really huge ones. Last time when I saw palms was years ago, probably when we went to Sochi with family centuries ago. But those palms were kids compared to their kiwi relatives.
I mean sure, all this palm thing I'm crazy about might sound very silly, but I still can't get used to them. Real PALMS :)

We had a coffee and a small chat in Starbucks in the city when I found out that my European or Chinese adapters will not work in New Zealand. Why does every other place have different sockets I seriously wonder? Well, anyways, not a big deal, adapters are for sale in all small convenience shops around the city, 4 NZD/one.

After the coffee we went to pick up Olga and their daughter, and headed to the botanic park. Palms, palms everywhere again :)
Two strange things I noticed for the first time. 1st one - space. As Artem said Auckland is spread on a huge distance and so does everything else within it, I think. It looks very much like in American movies. A lot of space and it even seems a bit empty. If you've seen a typical park in Europe, it would be something small and compact. Here, well, every other park is a size of Europe ! With a little exaggeration, of course ;)
The second thing that surprised me was grass, it was yellow. You could also see yellow leaves all around. To me it looked autumn. Guys explained that it didn't rain for a few weeks, so everything dried. Auch.

Well, about the sun. What can I say: there is actually sun! I left Finland in the worst possible time for people who live there. Februaries are very cold and dark. You hardly ever get a chance to see sun. Here, in Auckland, the sun is very strong and you must wear sunscreen all the time. A hat is also recommended. Before I came to NZ I thought that 50 SPF was the strongest protection against sun, heh, saw 80+ around, you know ;)
Guys have recommended, by the way Neutrogena sunscreen. It was one of their excellent advice. This sunscreen is very effective, also it doesn't need to be rubbed into your skin, just spray it on, the thing is transparent.
As a matter if fact, I imagined sun to be much worse. Actually, I have never felt bad about it here so far even in the hottest days. It's quite good and livable in real life, just need to take care.

Botanic garden trip was very short as we received a call from quarantine that Yuki has arrived and we can come to visit her.
Guys were very nervous how she would react to them and if it was a good idea to show up and leave her again (Yuki had to stay for 10 days in quarantine). In the end they couldn't resist and we went all together.

When they opened the door and we saw Yuki, she looked hunt down and she didn't move towards us at first. Poor girl was scared and didn't know what was going on. But it took just a minute and she understood that everything was alright now, she recognized her owners and me too. The girl was so happy, so happy. My eyes get wet when I remember her face and her eyes. Oh Yuki, one of the best dogs I've ever met.
Conditions of the place where Yuki was staying were really good, her place was very clean, light, chill and with a lot of space. She even got a cool bed!
As I write this, we have visited her one more time after that, and she has felt excellent so far.
Guys at the Qualified Pet Service are real professionals!
http://www.qualifiedpet.co.nz/

It's really sad to write the whole dog story in the singular form. I miss Chiquita just terribly and can't wait to hug her here. This is just horrible that she had to stay in Finland for longer and we are apart :(

I will put tomorrow a few pictures to this and older posts (wifi doesnt work well) and will continue about Auckland and the actual life here so far. I take my time, you know.

Below is a picture from the Internet of Mount Eden. I'm moving to the house next to it on Monday.

Missing Chiquita,

Auckland

Moving your dog to New Zealand from Europe part 2 (animal shipment)

When I said that collecting papers they require for a dog to enter NZ would be the most difficult part I was not exactly correct.

It took me recently about a month to find a safe way to ship dogs to Auckland from Helsinki.

As a side fact I have currently "adopted" friends' dog for a while. The animal is a White West Highland terrier, 8 years old cute girl, who is originally from Russia, has lived with me in Finland for more than half a year and has a Finnish passport. She will very soon finally meet her Russian family in Auckland!

So yes, I'm traveling with two dogs.

To cut a VERY long story short I just briefly mention that I pretty much called all airplane companies who fly to NZ from Helsinki and Germany: Finnair, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Korean airlines, Malaysian airlines - were among of them. All these companies do not allow dogs on board or as a checked luggage. They offer only one option which is cargo. When you ask for details they forward you to a third cargo company. 

The only company that seems to transfer animals by themselves is Singaporean airlines. However, they have recently stopped to ship any kind of terriers because dogs of these breeds died too often during the flight..

Stress was approaching my top level when finally I found contacts of two companies that specialize in shipping dogs on long distances: one in Frankfurt (Germany) and one in Helsinki (Finland). They were either advised by people who used their services before or by NZ qarantine facilities.

In fact, the Finnish company was not new for me, I have been in contact with them previously when we were planning to move in August.

Price-wise both companies offered almost the same service, however, the German company would require me to ship dogs to Frankfurt by myself (even though they claim they can do it on their web page)

A sales manager, Mattias Sjöberg, from the Finnish company, Travel Cargo - Pet Express, a division of Airport Travel Cargo Finland Oy, was just so much more friendly and helpful, that i made my mind to ship dogs through them in the end.

The price of service totally depends on the size of dogs and needed containers. In our case it was supposed to be around 3000e for both animals.

Included in the price:

Receiving at Helsinki-Vantaa airport during normal office hours (weekdays 8-17), cargo documents, AVI-fee, cargo to Amsterdam, receiving in Amsterdam, 1 night boarding for 2 dogs,  Kennel sealing and legalisation of certification B, cargo via Hong Kong to Auckland as free arrival uninsured.

General conditions:
1. Receiver pays any additional release/terminal charges in Auckland
2. Shipper is responsible for all needed documents both export and import (vaccinations, import permits, health certificate, suitable transportation boxes ac.cording to IATA regulations)
3. Offer is subject to space and availability, changes in freight charges, and subject to force majeure conditions
4. In Air Cargo 1m3 equals 167 kg and charges are based on either volume or actual weight.
5. Subject to prepayment or as agreed (credit card payments are ok).

But really, nothing, exactly nothing, went easy about shipping and preparing dogs.
The biggest problem was that the flight could not be booked  more than 21 days before the departure. Also I didn't know from the beginning the booking quarantine in NZ and receiving a Permit to Import must be done before booking dogs flight. When I found it out it was already a bit late and i almost all went gray trying to speed up. Succeeded with all papers in time.

BUT then there came another surprise, we couldn't ship the dogs through Amsterdam anymore.
The reason was that the international airport in Amsterdam doesn't have an international bio security room for dogs and they must be transferred from the airport to another facility. This fact somehow made it impossible to go through Amsterdam. However, after we changed the flight already I have finally received an answer from MAF that in fact they don't care and it's up to a government vet in Holland if he signs papers. I still didn't exactly understand if it's okay or not, but fortunately, our shipper has changed the flight already. Actually it was changed twice as there were no places on the first plane anymore. Just to add, the whole new flight thing cost almost 3000 more and the shipper suggested to cover these costs as the change in the regulations regarding Amsterdam was not my mistake. I mean that's what I call human relations and Finnish honest service.

As an important update I have to point now that one of the dogs, Chiquita has been just forbidden to import to NZ due to not ABSOLUTELY perfect blood results of particular kind. You can read more about it in the post about preparing dogs for export. So from now on I talk about shipping one dog, Yuki, Westhighland white terrier. Chiquita, Yorkshire terrier, stays in Finland for a while to undergo additional tests and repeat already made ones (sic). Hopefully she will be in NZ in the middle of March already. I will add her part then.

To be continued

Stressed, very stressed,
Lena

October 2012 Helsinki

Moving your dog to New Zealand from Europe (paper work)

It was not really a question if my DOG was moving to New Zealand. It was a question if WE move there until I found that it's possible to bring a dog along.

 

This post is for happy owners of a pet, those who love it as a true member of a family and want to share every joy with the loved ones.

Please note, my experience is different from yours, if you bring a pet from outside EU.

Important links:

The best start of your research, anyway, is the following document:

biosecurity.govt.nz

FAQ from the MAF web page (the MUST to read):
http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/node/2932/related_faqs

If you bring your friend from Russia, please, take a look at the topic on my favourite forum:

Ввоз собаки в НЗ

The post will be updated step by step until I freely hug my girl in Auckland.

You can do it,

Elena

15.01.2012 Helsinki, Finland

UPDATE:

Hello all,

It took half a year for me to be able to write an update here. I was waiting for Chiquita's vaccinations to become old enough to renew them, and making a clear plan of the following steps meanwhile. Now let's go straight to the business without colorful pictures but pure facts and my personal experience instead.

First of all, Chiquita's background:

• 2 years when moving to NZ
• 2 kg, standard Yorkshire terrier
• Country of origin - Russia. Moved to Finland when she was 2,5 months. Traveling to NZ as a dog from Finland
• Microchip installed in Russia (27.07.2011) You must be sure to submit proof of microchip implantation date with your import permit application.  This can be in the form of a microchip certificate with implantation date,  a vet letter confirming the microchip number and implantation date (source MAF web page)
• Tattoo made in Russia when born
• No special diet or health problems.  

Name and address of the clinic where we have received vaccinations and the Finnish passport:
Vallilan Eläinääkäriasema: http://vallilanelainlaakariasema.fi/etusivu/
Was chosen at first because of the close location, but turned out to be a really good place with kind and  professional staff. They know what they do there!

Our calender is based on the official guide:
Official guide (in the end of the document there is a very helpful table for you)


Leaving day JANUARY 30th 2013

Checklist aka calender

1) FINNISH PET PASSPORT (note: should be obtained before rabies vaccination)
19.3.12
16 euros
Takes about 5 minutes
Contains following information:
Name of the owner and his home address in Finland,
Name, breed, date of birth of the dog,
Information about microchip and tattoo (tattoo is optional)
Information about all vaccinations and tests (to be put successively)

2) RABIES (note: should be made more than 6 months, less than 1 year before moving to NZ)  
19.3.12
66 euros
Takes about 5 minutes
Drontal or other complete gastrointestinal worm treatment for dogs should be given 10-14 days prior to rabies vaccination. In Finland you can buy Drontal from the normal human pharmacy and give it to the dog at home (about 6 euros).
IMPORTANT: You need to understand a difference between a primary vaccination and a booster. Difficult it sounds but easy it is.
Primary: first rabies vaccination given to a dog (usually after dog's teeth have changed, around 8 months), it MUST be repeated. 2d vaccination is given not less than six months and 1st, not less than one year prior to shipment.
Booster: basically, 2d vaccination given after the primary one (which consists of two itself, see above)
Should be given not more than one year prior to shipment.
Still not clear enough? See a paragraph from the MAF page:

What is considered to be a 'booster' rabies vaccination?
When two (or more) rabies vaccinations have been given consecutively according to the duration of immunity of the vaccine.
Example
1st vax 24 January 2008 - (Rabdomun - 3 yr duration of immunity)
2nd vax 20 January 2011 - (Rabdomun - 3 yr duration of immunity).
The 2nd vax is considered a booster provided the pet was microchipped prior to or at the same time as the previous vaccination. If the pet was not microchipped on or before 24 January 2008, then the 20 January 2011 vaccination would be considered the primary vaccination. Consequently, you would need to wait at least 6 months after the 20 January 2011 vaccination before you could export your pet to New Zealand.
Note: Booster vaccinations must be given within one year of shipment, and primary vaccinations must be given between 6 months and one year of shipment.

3) RABIES TITRE TEST (not less than 3 months before the leave, not more than 24 months) not later than November 1st, better September-October
12.10.2012 
70 euros vet clinic fee + 90 euros actual test examination from the government clinic = 160e
Received results in about a week. Both Finnish and English copies

IMPORTANT: I DO RECOMMEND TO DO THIS TEST AS MUCH IN ADVANCE AS POSSIBLE.

You can make the test in any vet clinic in Finland, however the blood will be then sent to the official goverment laboratory, EVIRA, which analyses the blood that a vet clinic forward to them.

Rabies titre test shows how well animal produces antibodies to kill rabies. As I understood, they dilute blood many times to see what's the minimum consentration that can still fight the rabies. The generally accepted minimum is 0.50 IU/mL.

The test itself is just a basic collection of blood from an animal paw, something like at least 100 ml. Even though our test was collected on Friday, it was not a problem for the vet clinic to send it on Monday, because they freeze blood kind of.  

Now why you must leave more than 3-4 months prior to deparure to make the test. Many dogs, especially small ones, show low results! It can be because of avaccination that was not good/srong enough, or just because the animal itself did not produce antibodies well for natural reasons, or basically it can be anything.
A doctor in our vet clinic told me that some dogs have to get these tests more than 3 times before they show enough antibodies! If your dog has a little antibodies, you make a new vaccination against rabies, wait 1 month and make the rabies titre test again. It takes so much time! Be sure to make this test in advance (not more than 2 years beforehand though)

4) INTERNAL PARASITE TREATMENT (1st 30 days before leave, 2d 4 days before leave)
January 2d, January 28th

5) EXTERNAL PARASITE TREATMENT (1st 30 days before leave, 2d 2 days before leave)
January 2d, January 30th 

6) HEARTWORM TEST (30 days before leave)
 January 2d

7) HEARTWORM TREATMENT (4 days before leave)
 January 28th

8) BABESIA GIBSONI TEST with negative result (16 days before leave)
January 16th

9) BRUCELLA CANIS TESTING with negative result (16 days before leave)
 January 16th

10) LEPTOSPIROSIS (for 14 days 30 days before leave)
January 13th

11) EXAMINATION (2 days before) 
January 29th

12) IMPORTER BREED DECLARATION January 29th

13) CATEGORY 3: MODEL VETERINARY CERTIFICATE A FOR CATS AND DOGS FROM SPECIFIED COUNTRIES WHERE RABIES IS ABSENT OR WELL CONTROLLED
 January 29th

14) PERMIT TO IMPORT (at least 10 days in advance,  recommended - at least six weeks before shipment )
December 1st or before
167NZD=105e
If you are traveling with more than 1 animal you need 1 permit to import for all of your pets.
In order to receive a permit to import you need to have the following:
• Complete and signed permit application form

• Booking for an approved transitional (quarantine) facility
  Recommended to be arranged at least six weeks before shipment
• Proof of rabies vaccine (and if this vaccine is a booster, the most recent vaccine prior to the booster) and a copy of the rabies titre test, with microchip numbers on all vaccination and treatment records, laboratory results, and certification.
• Confirmation of date of microchip implantation.

15) ADVANCE NOTIFICATION OF ARRIVAL (72 hours in advance at least) should be sent to MAF
latest January 28th
Must include following information:
• flight/ship number
• date and time of arrival
• consignee’s name and contact details
• species and breed
• number of animals in consignment
• country of origin
• quarantine facility booked (if applicable)
• bill of lading (if known) and
• whether importer/agent is on board same flight

TO BE UPDATED AND CONTINUED

Nobody said it would be easy,
Elena
27.07.2012 Helsinki, Finland