GIVEN that New Zealand electricity is supplied at 240 volts, just as in the UK, you'd think it would be an inexpensive matter to get all your newly shipped appliances and electrical goods working when you arrive. It is, but only if you think ahead.
Ordinary living allows us to ignore those essential items that smooth the rough edges of daily routine and make our lives a little more pleasurable.
Yet when packing to emigrate, or for long term stays, it's easy to think those small packages of joy will not be needed, or even useless.
One such item is the four-plug block for UK plugs. "What possible use can that be in New Zealand," you might say as you toss it into storage or into the wheelie bin. But the four-block holds a secret, it is the most essential item you'll need for getting all your electrical goods working.
For a start, Kiwi plugs do not come with a fuse and rental properties are not required to have electrical checks by the landlord. You can never be sure just what sort of system you are plugging into, how old, or how safe.
So it's advisable to keep your UK fused plugs on your appliances, particularly sensitive electrical items like computers, DVD players and stereos.
Secondly, plugs, NZ-UK conversion plugs and power leads are hideously expensive, once you are here. One, un-fused, plastic plug that feels so cheap it should be condemned costs nearly £2 ($5 at current rates). Imagine you have to buy and change all the plugs on all your goods; it's not just the expense, it's the time, and these plugs are fiddly and difficult to change compared to UK plugs.
Converter plugs are worse. These can cost £6 a pop ($15) or more.
But if you take your UK four block and change just the single plug on that, you can carry on using all the good quality, fused plugs from Britain.
At considerably less expense, so don't forget to put a couple in your suitcases and shipping boxes even though it seems counter-intuitive.
