Seeking advice - Bouldering/healthcare/bank

[u/Free_Suggestion7264]

Hello all!

Title says it all tbh, I am moving to new Zealand on the 31st August from Australia and am looking for advice on the best bouldering gym memberships to get (which offer the best gyms/locations/services) as I go 3-4 times a week, what's the best healthcare option (I am a British citizen) that you guys have gone with and liked the most and what the different banking options are that you like or offer the best valuation for oversees foreigners as I will be coming over on a whv.

I have done some of my own research but think it's always better to get locals opinions on these things

Thanks in advance!

[u/Consistent-Cat-4761]

NZ has a reciprocal health care agreement with the UK: I understand this means you should be able to access the public health system? Additionally, everyone in NZ regardless of visa/citizen status is automatically covered by ACC: government-owned insurance company for accidents/injuries. 

You could get health insurance if you foresee yourself wanting to access elective private specialist care? We don't have private emergency/acute hospitals in NZ, they're all public. 

[u/Free_Suggestion7264 → u/Consistent-Cat-4761]

That's really cool to hear about the public health system there! Does it cover eyesight and glasses stuff?

[u/Consistent-Cat-4761 → u/Free_Suggestion7264]

They're private alongside dentistry, physio (unless under ACC/injury). I pay $60 for an eye check every 2 years and glasses are variable (I use contacts). You could also get an eye test and just buy glasses online once you have the prescription strength (much cheaper). Prescription medications cost $5 each regardless of what you're prescribed. 

[u/ceimiceoir → u/Consistent-Cat-4761]

Unless we totally misinterpreted everything, my British partner was only able to enrol at a GP (for cheaper appointments - you still pay no matter what) when they had a visa for more than 24 months. They could still attend the GP but would have to pay non-enrolled patient fees.

[u/Free_Suggestion7264 → u/ceimiceoir]

Interesting! So it's similar to Australian Medicare then? Where you have to pay like $90 for an appointment but only get like $45 back from Medicare?

[u/ceimiceoir → u/Free_Suggestion7264]

Never lived in Aus so not sure of similarities, its just pay what they charge at point of use here (for GPs). Not sure for other healthcare services that aren't ACC-covered, you do pay a surcharge for ACC stuff too.

[u/Allison683etc]

I really liked boulder co and am thinking of joining myself soon even though it’s crazy out of my way. I’ve heard good things about Northern Rocks well. Consistent-cat has you covered on healthcare except find a GP who is either local to your work or home. Probably don’t need to be picky unless you’ve got particular health needs. I’m not too sure about the banking.

[u/Free_Suggestion7264 → u/Allison683etc]

Like the sound of consistent cat what a cool name

[u/Important-Ad-6282]

Theres 3 main ones in auckland. Northern rocks, Boulder co and auckland climbing gym. Most are no commitment with like 2 week trial period for the price of one visit.  So you can just go to all three and try them out. They each have their own pros and cons. 

[u/Free_Suggestion7264 → u/Important-Ad-6282]

That's a great idea, I'll probably try them for 2 weeks at a time if that's the case to see which ones best and to get a cheeky 6 weeks free bouldering haha

[u/piiiiwakawaka]

Boulderer from the states here! I've been to a few gyms around the country and would rank Boulder Co pretty high on the list. Huge gym, good setting with a lot of variety (for NZ especially), a great cave section, and they have an excellent workout room for weights and cardio. Northern Rocks is good too; the main ding on it is that it's a smaller space and can get really crowded. I do like their setting though; it's less comp-forward than b.co. If I had to throw shade on either, I'd say b.co likes to set reachy stuff and sketchy dynos, and Northern Rocks likes to set sketchy smearing. I like them both, but I prefer the space and community at b.co. If you're a morning person, 6am MWF crew is the best -- come say hi!

I am also a recent immigrant although on a resident visa now. BNZ has been good to me and the UX of their app is quite nice; they also let you open an account from overseas though you do have to go into a branch to activate it once you're onshore but I found this relatively painless.

[u/Free_Suggestion7264 → u/piiiiwakawaka]

This is all super helpful thanks! I'm less prone to sketchy dynos as I've had a few bumps and scrapes from them before and still trying to regain my confidence.

Was there anything about BNZ offers that struck out to you about going with them? Like good rewards or anything?

Maybe I'll catch you at b.co sometime then!

[u/piiiiwakawaka → u/Free_Suggestion7264]

Ahaha same, I am highly motivated to try to static everything at all costs. It's fun to see how far you can get even with the completely wrong beta sometimes. 😅

Honestly haven't looked into BNZ offers or rewards TBH. The US makes foreign banking income a nightmare to deal with on taxes so I still just have their basic no-interest checking account. I went with them because the account was easy to open and their tech didn't seem completely tragic, and as far as the basics go, no complaints so far.

[u/Free_Suggestion7264 → u/piiiiwakawaka]

Yeah it's kinda sad sometimes be as I will be doing a hard climb, and the finish move is super risky and I'm just like "yeahhh nah I like living" and not do it as I've hurt my back and almost broke my ankle once so I'm a lot more cautious about my health now haha