GKPE NZ wide meetup

[weka2000]

Well I think it is time we all meet up. Names to faces. So the idea is Wellington due to it been central NZ. This will need to be planned so I was toying with Dec/Jan.

Either fly down/up and hire a mini bus for the weekend or drive. We would need to sort out accomadation etc.

So who is interested?

[lil_miss]

We'd be keen - Jan is prob better - after the xmas rush :)

[wendyc]

We are but not in Dec. Too busy and expensive. Would prefer to go sooner if possible

[somethingsimple]

oh minibus - that sounds much more affordable! and fun too ;-)
yes i'd be in for sure but NOT between Jan 4-13th - already booked out for me

EDIT
hang on i didn't read that right - you didn't mean hire a minibus to pick up everyone on the way and drive down? can't afford to fly down and unless a spare $200-$300 falls in my lap at the time, taking my car would probably be too expensive too at that time of year

where would everyone stay?

[lil_miss]

We'd likely drive down unless cheap flights were available (like there have been lately $59 one way the other day!)

End of the year gives people a little bit of time to save their pingers and also better weather. No doubt Tony you could find a motel that did group bookings that might make things a little cheaper.

[jasestu]

As long as South Islanders are happy to make the trip across the straight, then Welly is pretty central, but if we're not getting SIers coming up could we consider Taupo as more central?

[lil_miss]

Anywhere in the North Island would be fine by us :)

If you wanted something sooner - you've got National Park in the winter available... practice your exposure in the snow :)

[lil_miss]

where would everyone stay?

Motels, Hotels, Backpackers... whichever tickles your fancy I guess :)

If we chose wellington and actually stayed out of central wellington somewhere like the Hutt or wherever it would probably be cheaper. The advance warning gives time to put money aside and save :)

[weka2000]

I am aware of costs. I am also aware that some may not be in a financial position. Would the group consider helping out for those who are short (not pay it all).

[kelstar]

I'd be interested.

[lil_miss]

There are a large majority of us in Auckland and no doubt people driving or whatever - i'm sure transport can be shared along with fuel costs etc

[Nzshrimper]

i would be keen - but why not have it in taupo - as this is more central for most of the members and the northern islanders help out with the flight cost for us SI er's...

it will be cheaper all round.

just my 2 cents...

[weka2000]

i would be keen - but why not have it in taupo - as this is more central for most of the members and the northern islanders help out with the flight cost for us SI er's...

it will be cheaper all round.

just my 2 cents...

Makes sence. So who is not happy with Taupo?

[tim]

The vast majority of people are in Auckland, there's only a few in Wellington and a few in the SI. Auckland seems to make more sense. With so many people in Auckland there could be potential for people sleeping on sofas or in spare rooms.

Travel to Auckland from the SI isn't much more expensive than travel to Wellington if you fly.

[wendyc]

The vast majority of people are in Auckland, there's only a few in Wellington and a few in the SI. Auckland seems to make more sense. With so many people in Auckland there could be potential for people sleeping on sofas or in spare rooms.

Travel to Auckland from the SI isn't much more expensive than travel to Wellington if you fly.

Yeah but we sick of Auckland, prefer a change of scenery. We could probably help out with transport.

[iKirst]

I could be keen.. :)

[tim]

If i'm not shooting a wedding that weekend, i'm there, anywhere in the North island. I won't be able to confirm until a month or so out, I get last minute bookings sometimes.

[lil_miss]

Anywhere is fine here too...

[theflyingkiwi]

I could also been keen

[jasestu]

Oh yeah, and I'm keen too - want to put some real world personalities to these online characters. All depends what work's up to around the time of course.

[somethingsimple]

actually i think taupo would be better... cos then we can go the plateau for a shoot! if i did end up affording to go id be happy to chuck in my share to sub the SI's travel

and id be fine with auckland too

i've even got a (fairly firm... ok, solid... alright, unforgiving) double-size sofa bed in the spare room (ok, kids' toy room...)

but theres no booze here lol so that might make the decision for everyone considering LOL

[Nzshrimper]

i reckon that $100 each for travel - if we get enough people keen -

say 20 - that would give us $2000 - to get everyone to taupo and back.

this would buy flights and petrol for cars / buses.

so far we have 11 keen (one Sth Islander)

which i think works $1100 - one flight from chch - one from welly (or two not sure) that should leave over $500 for petrol (depending if we can narrow a date quickly for cheap flights)

(i would consider flying into Auck and road tripping down with the north people)

[lil_miss]

Are you factoring accommodation into that price per person?
That would end up being rather expensive if you then have more on top of that for accommodation. :(

If you want help subsidising flights - could it be agreed that others would contribute to half of the flight - eg $150 then between 10 ppl that would be $15 (eg CHCH to AKL), and then whoever ends up in whichever car - just contributes to a share of the gas - a tank at say $80 divided by 4 people in a car would be $20 each.

[Nzshrimper]

the $100 was an all up figure - say backpackers accom. - $15 per person is cool with me - but if tag say came and nordie - tim then you are looking at 4 X $15 per person. (gets a bit expensive then)

I was also factoring in petrol for the weekend itself - ie at taupo. - if you guys can make taupo and back (and travel from the weekend then all good) in one tank...

If we can get sorted date wise ( i could get $100 flights - each way) which makes it way cheaper.

Just a bit of food for thought.

[tim]

I'll confirm about a month out (in case of last minute weddings), and i'll pay for myself to get there if I come :)

[weka2000]

So when?

[Nzshrimper]

from august on if i am quick i get get $200 flights return for most dates.

[weka2000]

I would need to organise when Sandras not working a weekend.

[scotttnz]

I'm interested, but can't commit untill I know dates and costs.