I pass Auckland container port every day on the way to and from work. There is something re-assuring about having a working port right onto the fringe of downtown Auckland and with 70% of New Zealand’s import and export goods passing through this relatively small space its fascinating to watch the 24 x 7 operation. 

01/05/07: Received a letter in the post containing paperwork to be completed before the 25 boxes of stuff we have shipped to Auckland from Wales in a shared container will be released to use (when they eventually arrive). The container is expected to arrive, after a being transferred to another ship in Australia, sometime in the next two weeks (the ‘sometime’ reminding me that despite clever engineering mother nature still plays a big part in shipping timetables).

Happily (not), while we wait,  I have four forms to fill out and I and have to get two certified copies of my passports (to get a certified copy you have to visit the local JP) as proof of identity. Meg is very keen to see the container arrive as it has her scooter in it (the scooter was a birthday present which she has used twice before it was packed and shipped).

15/05/07: The ship has arrived but it will take the best part of 2 weeks for customs procedures to be completed. Meg has been asking wistfully which container her scooter is in every time we drive past the port

29/05/07:  Received a letter from the shipping people today advising us that, while the container has been emptied, our shipment had been pulled up by customs for inspection. They have strict controls about bio-security and I’m guessing that our camping gear, rugby boots etc (we had to list everything) have attracted their attention. Anyway, I need to pay $100 and probably wait an additional week for the customs to process our stuff. This is very difficult to explain to Meg who mentions her scooter daily !!

06/06/07: Finally, our shipment is released from the port and delivered to our house. We dump the 25 boxes and assorted bikes in the garage for the time being. As a priority Meg’s pink scooter is un-packed and handle bars re-posiitioned and she’s away. She is very happy to see her scooter again.