New Zealand...

[Tu-plang]

I happen to be off to New Zealand next monday for 10 days, and will apparently have plenty of free time in Christchurch, Queenstown and Dunedin...

Do we have any New Zillanders here, or anyone who knows their way about?  Anyone know of any choice comic shops/similar in the area?

[Floyd-the-k]

I'll be in Christchurch very soon myself, but I don't have a clue about the comic shops

[thinky]

i got married in Queenstown, and it's a gorgeous place - although i wouldn't know where the comic shops are i'm afraid

you could try the world's original bungee jump which i completely wussed out on, although my braver-than-me new wife had no problems with

thinky-very-jealous

[jdmobius]

I couldn't find a comic shop in Christchurch or Queenstown, although I found a Wizard in Christchurch and a cool dry toboggan run in Queenstown! Don't know about Dunedin.

However if you have a stopover for any length of time in Sydney (and yes I know that's Australia), then check out the comic shop at Fox Studios. They may also have props on display from Star Wars or the Matrix, if that's your thing!

[Bad Andy]

The original bungee jump is great fun. They'll even dip you in the river if you ask nicely.

It's the Nevis jump you've got to watch out for - 134m off a cable car into a ravine. By far the scariest thing I have ever done (and ever will do). Gives me goosebumps just to think about it.

Manage to stay composed enough to give the old Luke Skywalker Sarlacc pit salute before I jumped though.

[Tanky]

I *REALLY* don't advise getting dipped in the river.
I do however advise the bungee jump. and the swoop. and the toboggan(sp) and the jet-boat. and the horsey riding. and the cheap beer.

But under no circumstaces get dipped in the river.

Most importantly, have fun! there's loads more stuff to do than look for comic shops. But if you really have to, keep a look out for 'Dharma Punks' thats quite good.
xTGx

[judgeguido]

I'm an expat Kiwi; what do you want to know?

First Rule: Comics in NZ generally follow the students, and art students specifically.

Second Rule: There is generally not enough specialist business for comics stores to survive. Look or ask in Hemporiums (selling hemp-related products), arts workshops or at the back of larger chain stores (Whitcoulls, Paper Plus)

Queenstown - bl**dy tourists everywhere, forget about comics shops there.

Dunedin - university town, but not many comics stores. I know of one tho, Bag End Books & Comics, 9 Princes St

Christchurch - Big university there, look for the Arts Centre (west of the Cathedral Square, walk it in 15 mins) on a weekend, there may be some (or some likeminded people who can help). Great lamb kebabs too!

http://www.comicscompulsion.co.nz/pages/comics.htm

(In the southern end of the city ,walk it in 10 mins from the Cathedral).

Wellington - The arts capital (and the political one too if you want to get picky!). My old home town. Another big university in Mt Victoria, look down Cuba Street for the main comics stores

Comic Compulsion, 106 Cuba Mall (in the central city).

Auckland - Our version of London (everyone hates them, no-one in their right mind lives there). Best skipped.

Hope you have an enjoyable time. Remember, its reverse-land; weather warm, beer cold!

Judge Guido

[Dunk!]

If you look in the back of the most recent Comics International in the Directory section there's two specialist comic shops mentioned for NZ - i don't have my copy to hand to list them.

[Tu-plang]

Cheers for all the help, guys, especially judgeguido!

Yeah, look, I'd love to go bungie jumping and tobboganning and all that, but unfortunately it's a school trip...

[Steamboy]

did you know that if NZ had the same population as OZ they'd have 28 Gold medals in the olympics at the moment, using my proud Aussie brain for calculations I think that if OZ had the same population as USA we'd have over 200 gold 200 silver and 300 bronze(these figures are aproximate), hows that for  stat twisting....

CU Krestel

[Tu-plang]

Krestel, are you from Oz?

Have you been watching Roy & H.G.'s olympic coverage then?

[Steamboy]

yep and yep, jezz they're funny farts

CU Krestel

[Tu-plang]

I really think they ought to call a probe into the Greco Roman referees.  just as soon as they can work out the rules.

[Devons Daddy]

NZ
lots of sheep no kangaroos,
the orginal  BUNGEE JUMP, must do.
land of extremes in terms of beauty.

breath taking at times,( many many times)
but can be a bit cold so wrap up as well,

lovely and underated place to visit i would say.
i rate it above OZ myself. with sydney being the exception to that rule of thumb.