Hi Mr HubNut, just to say that I am enjoying your travels SO much! I knew nothing about NZ so it's great to learn along with you. It looks such a beautiful Country so far. It's fun not knowing what lots of the cars are, unlike at home. Looking forward to your next update!
I’m loving the blog and slight randomness to these videos. Its very enjoyable. NewZealand is living up to my expectations in every way. Its also nice that you are able to stay with fans! So pleased you are able to do this!
Thanks for another nice travelogue Hubnut. The yellow Holden was the EH series from 1964. On fuel economy figures, Australia and NZ went metric in the 70's. A figure expressing economy in kilometres per litre would have given a worse looking number than the same thing in MPG, so we have had to endure the stupidity of litres per 100km for over 40 years now. I'm old enough that I convert to MPG to know what economy I'm getting.
Random tidbit of information, your car actually has either a personalised or remanufactured plate on it, possibly done as a supplementary plate with the supplementary tag removed, because N series plates were not done in the blocky font, that changed in the DDD series around 2007.. so perhaps ask the owner the history of that number plate! When I first saw it I was intrigued. Also I can flick you an email but when you are passing through Wellington I would be more than happy to show you about and also have a Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo that you can have a go in if interested.
I have always fancied visiting New Zealand . So far it's even nicer than I had imagined it to be. Thanks for sharing this trip with us . Btw cats can always tell a Catman a mile off , that's why they're always so pleased to see you 😊👍
I've always wanted to go as well, the main thing putting me off is the long haul flights as I struggle to cope with being cooped up for that length of time.
Loved your observations regarding morning television and the news. Similar silly hosts and stories in Australia, mainly from the commercial networks attempting to lighten up our morning and evenings. Great that you’re visiting Russell, stuck in my memory are relaxing vibes, great mix of water and forests, and some of the best oysters ever.
I can't believe you're putting all this effort into producing all these great videos and the first comment I have to post is about how my puerile mind immediately dived to the "New Zealand Deck Stain" ads on UA-cam when you were touring the Airbnb! Keep up the good work!
Nice to see more Jdm cars as you get stuck in to your travels. Really like the feeling of space and the layout seems to flow really well. Ian will your talents never cease, Cat whisperer, George must be fuming and so jealous. Thanks Ian great video as always.
We ozzies deliberately placed the telegraph pole in the road to give the Kiwi "news" shows something to talk about. We are a wee bit mischievous that way.
Glad you are enjoying your trip. It was always a dream of my mum's to go, unfortunately early onset Alzheimer's took her before she got chance. I hope one day to myself in her memory. Your videos are making me understand why she wanted to go.
Nau mai, haere mai ki a Aotearoa. Welcome to New Zealand. No one expected you to arrive an expert in a far away place you've been gracious enough to visit. Have a wonderful time. I'm enjoying your journeys very much.
I've watched, and enjoyed several of your 'NZ' episodes, so, thanks for hours of enjoyment! It does sound a bit odd hearing you say "South Island" and "North Island". Kiwis include the definite article when referring to the two main islands, ie, "The South Island" and "The North Island".
AA1 was the first 'permanent' plate issued in July 1964. Before that it was a five yearly sequence of 6 numbers and varying colours. In November 1986 the first black on white plates came out. NA1 was one of the first of these. Currently up to the Mxx series as you correctly pointed out.
Many thanks for yet another excellent video. FYO the present system of NZ plates dates back to 1964. Prior to that the plates were all numeric and were reissued every five years in different colours; rather like many US states used to do. I've seen Toyota Ists in Malta which is another country that has plenty of unfamiliar JDM stuff.
Further to the number plate discussion, one major difference is that a car doesn't get its plate "for life". I had a damaged number plate so I went to the local NZTA place to get a replacement, and they just gave me the next brand new number available. So SP135 became BWE342 overnight. To have a car on its original plates is very desirable in classic circles - that Holden is a great example. Your car must have been just about at the changeover from black plates to white as well.
vehicle registration number plates (required to be legally on public roads) used to get replaced every year - they were different background colours and numbers - in the mid 1960's we went to permanent plates - these were non reflectorised black background with aluminium letters and number - and were originally issued geographically based on where the registration papers where being completed but then you got what ever was local etc. - upgraded to reflectorised white background with black letters and numbers in the mid 1980's
Aaaah, some Japanese van glory! I grew up with a succession of Mitsubishi L300s (1982 MK I, 1988 MK II and 1996 MK II) and two of my uncles had early (I think '82) H60 Toyota HiAces. One then went for a Renault Kangoo but the other swapped it for an early-2000s HiAce XH10. So definitely quite a few of them in my childhood and adolescence! LiteAces, HiAces and Datsun/Nissan Urvans were also incredibly popular among builders and other tradespeople round here. One Urvan panel van survived in commercial use until only a few years ago, I think I saw it up for sale in 2016 or 2017. LiteAces were mostly petrol but the others were most popular with big-ish Diesel engines. I'm not even sure if I've ever seen a petrol HiAce. L300s did sell with the 1.8 and 2.4 l petrol engines but the 2.5D was vastly more popular, even though it can hardly be called refined.
You, my friend, make the internets worthwhile! As a travelogue, I'm really quite enjoying this view of my country of birth and couldn't agree more with sentiment about television!
Thanks for the refreshment of memories from 2006 when I visited Russel and took that ferry to get there. When you first walked to the strand, I stayed in the motel to your left (behind the camera) which was run by a very nice Maori couple (Hananui Lodge and Apartments). There is a lookout point up on a hill to the north of Russel that gives a good view over Russel and if I reember correctly, to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds on the opposite side of the water.
You have to explore south of Christchurch too! Central Otago is extremely beautiful and well worth the visit! Spent most of my childhood holidays exploring around there :)
I'm catching up on your NZ videos, Ian. Glad you're having a good time. I don't know if it's too late, but there are ferries between North and South Island (Ex Portsmouth P&O), and a fantastic train you can get to Christchurch from the port on South Island, it has an open air viewing platform.
The current NZ plate system was introduced in 1963 beginning with AA1 about 1963 with white on black plates which existed until the late 80s at the end of M series then changed to the black in white plates from the N series. If the BX was first registered maybe just a few months earlier it would have had a white on black late M plate which would have been really cool. The font of the plates also changed in the mid 2000s during the Dxx Nnn series. The bx has the later series font on its plates but NC is the original plate so they must have been replaced at some stage. Loving your journey so far Hubnut in Kiwiland is just the best thing ever!! and I admit that when I was in the UK I was just as amazed by all the Fiestas, Corsas and Novas as you are by the Japanese oddities that exist in NZ..NZ actually had a Fiesta derivative called the Festiva which was a rebadged Mazda 121 which I’m sure you’ll see at some stage, hopefully you get to see a 90s Australian built Ford Capri on your travels too!
Great little video, nice variety of content and I'm learning a lot about a country I'll probably never get to visit, so thanks for that and good luck keeping the old BX plugging away
BTW, it´s so nice to hear about a nice cup of tea instead of that infernal coffee-mania that everyone except me seems to suffer from here in Sweden... ;)
Find or import some Taylor's Yorkshire Tea from the UK. You won't regret it. Brown, strong, dark, as proper English tea should be. It's not the cheapest here so expect to pay a bit for it, but it's worth it.
Russell was always a favorite visit when i was a little kid, places like Pompellier house fascinated me as it was a mud brick building . Also,not long before i left NZ Russel was the scene of some interesting events as a bloke who went on to die in an English Prisson, Terry Clark, bought a block of land there which had been the site of new Zealands 1st Government house . He started to build this big mansion ,complete with an escape tunnel to the beach. All from the proceeds of heroin importing . Once he got locked up ,a few of explored the unfinished house (which is now finished) and marvelled at the size and expensive materials left laying about such as Marble. Because NZ is such a small place i knew a few of the characters in his circle .His partner ,based in Asia,Marty Johnson ,was found dead in a flooded quarry in the UK ,which led to Clark being tracked down. Johnson was known as Mr Asia.. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrance_John_Clark
Miscellaneous stretch goals for you: 1) investigate the complex system of numbering Montana (USA) license plates by county, all for only about 1 million people 2) come over and cruise around the Washington State and British Columbia ferry systems. There are a dozen or more routes and you can link together a great scenic road trip combining USA and Canada for a week or so of driving. 3) a warning especially for US viewers on miles-per-gallon -- I would guess Ian is talking about Imperial Gallons which are 4.546 liters each, this is 20% more volume than a US Gallon.
NZ, an interesting place. A camper sounds great fun. My dad had a trailer It was also fun. This trip seems to be a great experience for you and also your UA-cam fans. Good stuff Ian. Rich& cats, LA.CALIF USA.
Regarding number plates, government issue plates can be replaced at any time for a small fee, and are also replaced when taking a personalised plate off a car. This would give you the latest number plate available no matter the age of the car. If you replaced the plate on the BX you would get the latest plate from the three letter series. Before a certain date our plates were a black background with silver letters, as shown on the yellow Holden. Once a plate is taken off a car, unless personalised, it can no longer be reused (with some exceptions).
10:15 Yaris Tsport! Same colour as my last one that served me well and got a few car park remarks over 6 years of ownership. Granted just a ‘warm hatch’ but such a fun (reliable) little car to drive. Sadly age and a baby meant it went back to the dealership it was originally bought from after 14 years and traded in for a brand new bog standard family four door Yaris... and now they have no central speedometer etc like the original! Sad times
I remember the delights of the local TV shows :-) Sadly, I don't remember the story of a telegraph pole bring recently erected in Australia. Glad you are enjoying yourself. The tree top B&B looks lovely and even comes with a little sweetie of a cat. Cheers. Nice random EH Holden too :-)
The church in Russell still has still got musket ball holes in the walls from when the natives were revolting (not to mention the cut marks from sharpened kiwifruit slices).
Oh Ian , have you heard of james "burt" monroe ? The famous land speed motorcycle man from Invacargo New Zealand? If you get a chance to visit his town it would be a cool video. The movie about him was " World's fastest Indian " (1920 Indan motorcycle) he modified in his small shed in Invacargo. All the best Ian. Rich LA california USA
...again, a nice continuance to this travelogue! Speaking of "slow news"...when we lived in Canberra, ca. 1975 or so, a news item came on the radio, concerning a woman who let her eight year old grandson drive her car somewhere in Melbourne, "...in a car park, then along a back road, and onto a highway, where several motorists had to take evasive action." (I have this recording on an old cassette someplace, oddly enough)...maybe an early, Australian "HubNut", who wanted to check out the wiper action...
Those 1950's and '60s Holdens are basically variations of Opels and Vauxhalls...Look at the 1964 Opel Olympia...a few detail changes and it is suddenly a HR. Australians get carried away by the unique-ness of their home-brewed cars, although in the Kingswood era we got more design independence
@@stephenscholes4758 I think you can go back one step. The FE/FC/FB/EK were basically shrunk 55/56/57 Chevs, a few years later. Detroit had a firm hand on the styling wheel! The only really radical Holden design, the HQ, had what was basically a Chev nose and tail grafted on for the HJ/HX/HZ after Detroit got scared!
Campervan, OH YES.......can't wait to see whether you love or hate it! There's loads of places in NZ where you can 'freedom camp' for gratis (if you've got services on board). Just watch out for something called Road User Recovery Charge (diesel tax) - payable upon return for the Kms you'll travel. If it's a relocation deal, it may be waived but better to be certain beforehand. I hope that you adore the camping experience; it should certainly add to your adventure. Personally, I wouldn't travel any other way - I truly believe it's the best way of feeling at one with the Country! Moreover, folk on campsites are generally very helpful and welcoming - should you want an occasional natter or bit of company, after a long day on your lonesome mate. 👍
No you can't waffle too much, you're doing the trip I always dreamt about doing but bottled so lapping up every tiny detail here. Just glad to be along for the ride 😀 Could do with more tea quality news though - v.important in my travels 😉 Enjoy!
NZ number plates started from AA in about 1967. AA to EZ were mainly used for older cars which had an older system (every car changed its number) with a Permanent plate. These were a black plate with silver writing. From about 1972 the first letter spanned about 2 years. Unlike the UK the plate did not affect resale or neighbourhood status. Unfortunately your BX just missed out on a nice black plate as plates up to MZ (about 1986) were black.
At 1:20 , 280 / 32 = 8.75 say a bit less than 9 litres per 100 km. My BX19TRS averaged 35mpg before the engine siezed and was replaced by a 1.9 litre naturally aspirated diesel which improved the economy to 53 mpg.
I used to own a 1998 Caldina Gt-t, first one in Ireland that was a manual in fact. Miss that car, 260bhp 4 wheel drive. Confused many a person as it looks like an avensis estate!
Another episode of vicarious living as it's -17c here. One of my all time favorite NZ films is Once Were Warriors, very hard hitting gritty look into indigenous living today in NZ, kind of pertinant as i live near many Indian Reservations, my wife works with many of them dealing with online issues.
@@vtecpreludevtec Winston Peters is a relative of mine and is basically a traitor having sold out NZ to a bunch of champagne socialists who didn't collect enough votes to be government. If any of our ancestors were alive today,I know what would have happened, he would have received a whack on the head and been placed in the Hangi. My Maori ancestors differed greatly from Australian aboriginal and American natives. Why? because they never ever considered them selves to be inferior to the pakeha (anyone who wasn't Maori).Todays victimology sticks in my craw as the cultural marxists attempt to fool the world into thinking they are victims. There have been dozens of Maori in positions of Authority in New Zealand,there being no impediment to getting ahead in life,none what so ever.
Mercmad I merely attempted to point out differences and similarities with indigenous in the white settler countries.As for NZ history I don’t need a lesson,I could teach it,having early settler /indigenous cred too.
@@Mercmad Yeah if ye've been keeping up with the reconciliation with the Canadian government and the first nations its an awful treadmill they've got of just throwing money at a devided people making the addictions and violence worse. I got a good discussion going once when i said to a native friend "my people have allot of wisdom to give when it comes to taking back your self respect and pride" and you know it's funny how many of the Sioux know quite a bit about Scottish/celt history and the more than half a century of dictatorship.
If you like the north island you’ll love the south island. Its amazing and much quieter. Theres a great shanty town on the south island i visited. I hope you discovered the camper returns thanks to my tip off ;)
You NEARLY had it right with the number plates, mate. Here's a bit of trivia on our number plate / licensing system (for what it's worth) as number plate spotting is a quirk I have had since I was a kid. Prior to 1964, number plates were also the form of licensing used and were replaced every year. In '64, they started using a pressed aluminium plate (instead of pressed tin), which then stayed on the same vehicle until the vehicle was taken off the road and the plate retired. The yearly licensing compliance (see below) became a sticker at this point. As for the plates, one side was painted black, then it went through the press to raise the lettering / numbers in sequence, then through the final thicknesser, which ground the top off the raised characters so that they appeared as silver on black. The first of this 'black plate' series was AA1 and by 2001 had gone all the way to ZZ9989 (the last 10 of that series had been issued as personalised plates.....which wouldn't have been MY first pick for one, but each to their own.) The next series began with 3 letters and 3 numbers as AAA001. I know this, because a friend of my in-laws has a 2001 Camry with this plate and it's not a personalised one The plates were issued with the preceding zeroes from the start of the '3-letterl series until they started in the C's - ie: CAA1 - where they went back to NOT including the preceding zeroes. Trailers, motorbikes and caravans have their own sequences, but I will leave these alone unless asked. Personalised plates were introduced around early 1988 and I can remember seeing a Roman Bronze Mini Clubman 1275GT barrelling aliong the Great South Rd in Otahuhu with the plate SEXY on it around March 88. Personalised plates - unusually - do not have to be sold with the car in this country and are the personal property of the owner of the vehicle. They can be sold with the car or they can be replaced with a standard set of plates (whether the car's original ones or a new set from the NZTA) after a form has been filled out, whence they can be put onto another car of choice. My Stag was bought with its personalised plate and my 2500S has a 2002-issued white plate after a previous owner had a personalised plate transferred onto (and then back off) the vehicle. My Mini still has it's original black plate from when it was new in 1978. The black on silver plates were changed to a reflective white plate, with the raised (pressed) lettering being painted black in 1987, with the introduction of the N-series plates (ie: NA1 onward) The font used on the white plates was also changed in 2006 with the beginning of the DFN series and remains as such today. Initially, the white plates were met with scorn and much derision because they were so different in appearance. People also found that the paint on early N-series plates had a propensity for falling off if petrol, meths or some types of polish were used to clean the bugs and / or tar off them, as was the habit of the time. I guess hot soapy water had not been something these people used to clean their vehicles, but I digress. As mentioned, licensing of vehicles when permanent plates were introduced was initially a sticker attacked to the inside centre top of the windscreen and all vehicles renewed their license every year during the month of June. This changed in 1986 to a smaller external windscreen sticker placed on the top RH side of the screen and existing vehicles were advised of a new month they would now be renewing on each year (in order to spread the load out I think), while new vehicles from then on just subsequently renewed their road licenses in the month they were first registered. This continued until anyone renewed their vehicle's license into the 1996 year, when the external licensing sticker was replaced by a small card. Said card has to be placed in a clear pouch attached at the bottom left of the windscreen and this is what you see today. Some old cars still wear the previous forms of registration sticker as a little patina / nostalgic trip / authenticity, but seeing them is still quite rare. Hope this was interesting for you :) It's a source of amusement for me to see what people go all Anorak-y over.....and this is my example I suppose!
Toyota "Ist": Toyota had a phase when they used german words as a name for its cars, there were also the "Opa" (grandpa) and "Raum" (room). "Ist" simply means "is".
HUBNUT is available to purchase in NZ, with a price of NZ$999. Or about GBP500. kiwiplates.nz/get-a-plate/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwr-_tBRCMARIsAN413WSVeZdrtZqJDQhCnUAIgmymwZyoHDZHVLoDiyhTIn3GX21AcWkJBGIaAsJQEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds#choose-range
Excellent and enjoyable! Educational, visually splendid, and like a time machine. Always feel I’ve been transported three times the length of time in a third of it... or time flies! Very agreeable architecture and tasty vehicular totty. Remember there is nothing disagreeable about Mr Hub Nut’s Face or knees. I’m enjoying these posts just as they are! I hope the tea is nice? How’s the water? Is cake what it aughta? I see the kiwi kitties are super cute and friendly. George, back home will be enjoying seeing them! Are you going to bungee jump while you are there? Connolly said if you do it naked, it’s free! Thanks for the BX suspension Action! I think that’s my pantograph wiper equivalent!
Loving the adventure, beautiful county. Just wish the videos showed a little more. The Croatia vids were epic and for some viewers too long, but would be great to see a bit more of the journey.
Exactly the reason I thought the BX was a good choice because you know them well and are able to figure out the foibles with it as they occur and hopefully won't get stuck.
I remember a number of years ago seeing "Crimewatch NZ" whose main storys featured an abandoned Vauxhall Viva (or Holden equivalent) and that an expensive camera had been handed in to the police office!
Well try reading the Shetland Times: . " On Tuesday a Nissan Micra motor vehicle collided with a shopping trolley in the CoOp supermarket carpark. Both the car and the trolley sustained light damage".
Any number plate... 'HUBNUT'. 😂😂😂 Volcanic shigle beach. The North Island has taken some big volcanic hits in the past, ring of fire and all that. No wonder the New Zealand gov has made it very hard to move there. Great content rich vlog.👍
Back in the day (70s), I regularly visited NZ and it was very apparent that most cars on the road were old - Ford Anglias, Morris Oxfords etc.. I was told it was because new cars were very expensive due to exorbitantly high import duty. I presume that that is no longer the case - lots of new-ish cars kicking about.
It was very protectionist, so manufacturers assembled cars here. But financial issues stopped most of them. With an aging fleet, the government removed import duties.
I would be careful about pumping the BX height up if you can! Doing this spelled the end of mine when halfway up it burst a strut and pissed green everywhere. In typical fashion it was the day after I signed for my new car, and due to continual eBay timewasters I couldn’t keep it.
You need your 'own' space rather than airbnbs,,,an RV sounds perfect,,,your travelogues informal and informing and as others state here am getting addicted,as I was of your European trip...🌞
Yes, breakfast TV is best to be avoided if possible 😁. Hoping you'll call in and see us, I mean our Austin 3litres, on your way south. I'm sure you'll be in touch with John about it. 😁
Rewatching your adventures!
Enjoying the videos Ian. NZ looks wonderful 👍
Hi Mr HubNut, just to say that I am enjoying your travels SO much! I knew nothing about NZ so it's great to learn along with you. It looks such a beautiful Country so far. It's fun not knowing what lots of the cars are, unlike at home. Looking forward to your next update!
I’m loving the blog and slight randomness to these videos. Its very enjoyable. NewZealand is living up to my expectations in every way. Its also nice that you are able to stay with fans! So pleased you are able to do this!
TV has passed their peak. HubNut and others have replaced most of my TV viewing! Another fun video. Looking forward to your future videos.
What a beautiful country new zealand is i would love to visit some day. Thanks mr hubnut for taking me with you
Thanks for another nice travelogue Hubnut. The yellow Holden was the EH series from 1964. On fuel economy figures, Australia and NZ went metric in the 70's. A figure expressing economy in kilometres per litre would have given a worse looking number than the same thing in MPG, so we have had to endure the stupidity of litres per 100km for over 40 years now. I'm old enough that I convert to MPG to know what economy I'm getting.
Random tidbit of information, your car actually has either a personalised or remanufactured plate on it, possibly done as a supplementary plate with the supplementary tag removed, because N series plates were not done in the blocky font, that changed in the DDD series around 2007.. so perhaps ask the owner the history of that number plate! When I first saw it I was intrigued. Also I can flick you an email but when you are passing through Wellington I would be more than happy to show you about and also have a Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo that you can have a go in if interested.
Thank you. Definitely interested. Ian@hubnut.org
Very few people, every day is a quiet news day. NZ sounds like my kind of place to be. Wonderful stuff. Thanks again HubNut.
I have always fancied visiting New Zealand . So far it's even nicer than I had imagined it to be. Thanks for sharing this trip with us . Btw cats can always tell a Catman a mile off , that's why they're always so pleased to see you 😊👍
I've always wanted to go as well, the main thing putting me off is the long haul flights as I struggle to cope with being cooped up for that length of time.
True about the cats.
I regard cats as selfish,greedy and cruel creatures, but they always come straight to me and sit on my lap......
Loved your observations regarding morning television and the news. Similar silly hosts and stories in Australia, mainly from the commercial networks attempting to lighten up our morning and evenings. Great that you’re visiting Russell, stuck in my memory are relaxing vibes, great mix of water and forests, and some of the best oysters ever.
I can't believe you're putting all this effort into producing all these great videos and the first comment I have to post is about how my puerile mind immediately dived to the "New Zealand Deck Stain" ads on UA-cam when you were touring the Airbnb! Keep up the good work!
Nice to see more Jdm cars as you get stuck in to your travels.
Really like the feeling of space and the layout seems to flow really well.
Ian will your talents never cease, Cat whisperer, George must be fuming and so jealous.
Thanks Ian great video as always.
We ozzies deliberately placed the telegraph pole in the road to give the Kiwi "news" shows something to talk about. We are a wee bit mischievous that way.
Glad you are enjoying your trip. It was always a dream of my mum's to go, unfortunately early onset Alzheimer's took her before she got chance. I hope one day to myself in her memory. Your videos are making me understand why she wanted to go.
Hi Ian,with these videos I fell like I want to jump in the video and explore myself, what a lovely place to be, liking the videos so far 👍
Nau mai, haere mai ki a Aotearoa. Welcome to New Zealand. No one expected you to arrive an expert in a far away place you've been gracious enough to visit. Have a wonderful time. I'm enjoying your journeys very much.
I've watched, and enjoyed several of your 'NZ' episodes, so, thanks for hours of enjoyment!
It does sound a bit odd hearing you say "South Island" and "North Island". Kiwis include the definite article when referring to the two main islands, ie, "The South Island" and "The North Island".
another cat , and a beauty , we are all enjoying our holiday with you!
If there isn´t a curious purring cat (or maybe a friendly handsome dog) near to you, it´s not the right place to be...:-)
I like the way the videos are numbered, helps me to keep track of your journey.
AA1 was the first 'permanent' plate issued in July 1964. Before that it was a five yearly sequence of 6 numbers and varying colours. In November 1986 the first black on white plates came out. NA1 was one of the first of these. Currently up to the Mxx series as you correctly pointed out.
Many thanks for yet another excellent video. FYO the present system of NZ plates dates back to 1964. Prior to that the plates were all numeric and were reissued every five years in different colours; rather like many US states used to do. I've seen Toyota Ists in Malta which is another country that has plenty of unfamiliar JDM stuff.
I'm loving the mix of travel and cars, cheers Ian!
Further to the number plate discussion, one major difference is that a car doesn't get its plate "for life". I had a damaged number plate so I went to the local NZTA place to get a replacement, and they just gave me the next brand new number available. So SP135 became BWE342 overnight. To have a car on its original plates is very desirable in classic circles - that Holden is a great example. Your car must have been just about at the changeover from black plates to white as well.
vehicle registration number plates (required to be legally on public roads) used to get replaced every year - they were different background colours and numbers - in the mid 1960's we went to permanent plates - these were non reflectorised black background with aluminium letters and number - and were originally issued geographically based on where the registration papers where being completed but then you got what ever was local etc. - upgraded to reflectorised white background with black letters and numbers in the mid 1980's
Aaaah, some Japanese van glory! I grew up with a succession of Mitsubishi L300s (1982 MK I, 1988 MK II and 1996 MK II) and two of my uncles had early (I think '82) H60 Toyota HiAces. One then went for a Renault Kangoo but the other swapped it for an early-2000s HiAce XH10. So definitely quite a few of them in my childhood and adolescence! LiteAces, HiAces and Datsun/Nissan Urvans were also incredibly popular among builders and other tradespeople round here. One Urvan panel van survived in commercial use until only a few years ago, I think I saw it up for sale in 2016 or 2017. LiteAces were mostly petrol but the others were most popular with big-ish Diesel engines. I'm not even sure if I've ever seen a petrol HiAce. L300s did sell with the 1.8 and 2.4 l petrol engines but the 2.5D was vastly more popular, even though it can hardly be called refined.
Britz campers, right next to Christchurch airport. And the Antarctic base, well worth a look. Keep it up, we're all enjoying your hols too!
You, my friend, make the internets worthwhile! As a travelogue, I'm really quite enjoying this view of my country of birth and couldn't agree more with sentiment about television!
Thanks for the refreshment of memories from 2006 when I visited Russel and took that ferry to get there. When you first walked to the strand, I stayed in the motel to your left (behind the camera) which was run by a very nice Maori couple (Hananui Lodge and Apartments). There is a lookout point up on a hill to the north of Russel that gives a good view over Russel and if I reember correctly, to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds on the opposite side of the water.
You have to explore south of Christchurch too! Central Otago is extremely beautiful and well worth the visit! Spent most of my childhood holidays exploring around there :)
I'm catching up on your NZ videos, Ian. Glad you're having a good time. I don't know if it's too late, but there are ferries between North and South Island (Ex Portsmouth P&O), and a fantastic train you can get to Christchurch from the port on South Island, it has an open air viewing platform.
The current NZ plate system was introduced in 1963 beginning with AA1 about 1963 with white on black plates which existed until the late 80s at the end of M series then changed to the black in white plates from the N series. If the BX was first registered maybe just a few months earlier it would have had a white on black late M plate which would have been really cool. The font of the plates also changed in the mid 2000s during the Dxx Nnn series. The bx has the later series font on its plates but NC is the original plate so they must have been replaced at some stage.
Loving your journey so far Hubnut in Kiwiland is just the best thing ever!! and I admit that when I was in the UK I was just as amazed by all the Fiestas, Corsas and Novas as you are by the Japanese oddities that exist in NZ..NZ actually had a Fiesta derivative called the Festiva which was a rebadged Mazda 121 which I’m sure you’ll see at some stage, hopefully you get to see a 90s Australian built Ford Capri on your travels too!
Great little video, nice variety of content and I'm learning a lot about a country I'll probably never get to visit, so thanks for that and good luck keeping the old BX plugging away
Love the cats. They're the same everywhere you go.
You’re selling NZ BRILLIANTLY!
I would love to see more pets on this tour!
This is great fun Ian, a real adventure of exploration, getting the urge to visit already.
A very fine cat! Congratulations!
Love the content Ian. Glad you are having a good trip!
Nice to see some more of NZ. Your air b&b looks lovely. Looking forward to next video.
BTW, it´s so nice to hear about a nice cup of tea instead of that infernal coffee-mania that everyone except me seems to suffer from here in Sweden... ;)
Find or import some Taylor's Yorkshire Tea from the UK. You won't regret it. Brown, strong, dark, as proper English tea should be. It's not the cheapest here so expect to pay a bit for it, but it's worth it.
Russell was always a favorite visit when i was a little kid, places like Pompellier house fascinated me as it was a mud brick building . Also,not long before i left NZ Russel was the scene of some interesting events as a bloke who went on to die in an English Prisson, Terry Clark, bought a block of land there which had been the site of new Zealands 1st Government house . He started to build this big mansion ,complete with an escape tunnel to the beach. All from the proceeds of heroin importing . Once he got locked up ,a few of explored the unfinished house (which is now finished) and marvelled at the size and expensive materials left laying about such as Marble. Because NZ is such a small place i knew a few of the characters in his circle .His partner ,based in Asia,Marty Johnson ,was found dead in a flooded quarry in the UK ,which led to Clark being tracked down. Johnson was known as Mr Asia.. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrance_John_Clark
Miscellaneous stretch goals for you: 1) investigate the complex system of numbering Montana (USA) license plates by county, all for only about 1 million people 2) come over and cruise around the Washington State and British Columbia ferry systems. There are a dozen or more routes and you can link together a great scenic road trip combining USA and Canada for a week or so of driving. 3) a warning especially for US viewers on miles-per-gallon -- I would guess Ian is talking about Imperial Gallons which are 4.546 liters each, this is 20% more volume than a US Gallon.
It's so quiet everywhere you go, very British looking climate too, I'd love to visit some time.
Climate really isn't as British as I expected. It's been solid sunshine for a week!
NZ, an interesting place.
A camper sounds great fun. My dad had a trailer
It was also fun. This trip seems to be a great experience for you and also your UA-cam fans.
Good stuff Ian.
Rich& cats, LA.CALIF USA.
Regarding number plates, government issue plates can be replaced at any time for a small fee, and are also replaced when taking a personalised plate off a car. This would give you the latest number plate available no matter the age of the car. If you replaced the plate on the BX you would get the latest plate from the three letter series. Before a certain date our plates were a black background with silver letters, as shown on the yellow Holden. Once a plate is taken off a car, unless personalised, it can no longer be reused (with some exceptions).
10:15 Yaris Tsport! Same colour as my last one that served me well and got a few car park remarks over 6 years of ownership. Granted just a ‘warm hatch’ but such a fun (reliable) little car to drive. Sadly age and a baby meant it went back to the dealership it was originally bought from after 14 years and traded in for a brand new bog standard family four door Yaris... and now they have no central speedometer etc like the original! Sad times
Loving these videos, Ian. Can’t wait for the next instalment.
I remember the delights of the local TV shows :-) Sadly, I don't remember the story of a telegraph pole bring recently erected in Australia. Glad you are enjoying yourself. The tree top B&B looks lovely and even comes with a little sweetie of a cat. Cheers. Nice random EH Holden too :-)
Nice Isuzu trooper at the end, my uncle had a Bighorn, but that’s a story for another day.
Sounds like '0oo, er, missus' would be appropriate here.......!
Calshot has a 'spit' but more to do with the tide shifting the shingle. Anotger great video. Enjoying the mix of cars and local history, scenery
I'm quite enjoying these travel videos.
The church in Russell still has still got musket ball holes in the walls from when the natives were revolting (not to mention the cut marks from sharpened kiwifruit slices).
Oh Ian , have you heard of james "burt" monroe ?
The famous land speed motorcycle man from
Invacargo New Zealand?
If you get a chance to visit his town it would be a cool video. The movie about him was " World's fastest Indian " (1920 Indan motorcycle) he modified in his small shed in Invacargo.
All the best Ian.
Rich LA california USA
...again, a nice continuance to this travelogue! Speaking of "slow news"...when we lived in Canberra, ca. 1975 or so, a news item came on the radio, concerning a woman who let her eight year old grandson drive her car somewhere in Melbourne, "...in a car park, then along a back road, and onto a highway, where several motorists had to take evasive action." (I have this recording on an old cassette someplace, oddly enough)...maybe an early, Australian "HubNut", who wanted to check out the wiper action...
I didn't realise you had adjustable suspension on a BX, I want one! Good mix of travelogue and cars, keep it up.
That was a lovely EH Holden.
For non Antipodeans, that old Holden is from 1964. Beautifull
...there were still quite a few of these kicking around when I lived in Oz, 1974-76...This one looks well-loved!
@@craigmclean8260 They're getting pretty thin on the ground now, a well restored one or an unmolested original is worth big big money.
Those 1950's and '60s Holdens are basically variations of Opels and Vauxhalls...Look at the 1964 Opel Olympia...a few detail changes and it is suddenly a HR. Australians get carried away by the unique-ness of their home-brewed cars, although in the Kingswood era we got more design independence
@@stephenscholes4758 I think you can go back one step. The FE/FC/FB/EK were basically shrunk 55/56/57 Chevs, a few years later. Detroit had a firm hand on the styling wheel! The only really radical Holden design, the HQ, had what was basically a Chev nose and tail grafted on for the HJ/HX/HZ after Detroit got scared!
Campervan, OH YES.......can't wait to see whether you love or hate it! There's loads of places in NZ where you can 'freedom camp' for gratis (if you've got services on board). Just watch out for something called Road User Recovery Charge (diesel tax) - payable upon return for the Kms you'll travel. If it's a relocation deal, it may be waived but better to be certain beforehand. I hope that you adore the camping experience; it should certainly add to your adventure. Personally, I wouldn't travel any other way - I truly believe it's the best way of feeling at one with the Country! Moreover, folk on campsites are generally very helpful and welcoming - should you want an occasional natter or bit of company, after a long day on your lonesome mate. 👍
What an utterly amazing house at the end! Wow
hubnut happy = tea + cake + rear wiper action
No you can't waffle too much, you're doing the trip I always dreamt about doing but bottled so lapping up every tiny detail here. Just glad to be along for the ride 😀
Could do with more tea quality news though - v.important in my travels 😉
Enjoy!
NZ number plates started from AA in about 1967. AA to EZ were mainly used for older cars which had an older system (every car changed its number) with a Permanent plate. These were a black plate with silver writing.
From about 1972 the first letter spanned about 2 years.
Unlike the UK the plate did not affect resale or neighbourhood status.
Unfortunately your BX just missed out on a nice black plate as plates up to MZ (about 1986) were black.
I'm really enjoying the NZ trip Videos, Thank You
Couldn't help but notice the ukulele during the BnB tour. Are we gonna see a hubnut cover of a popular song?
Not sure I'm brave enough. I'm not very good...
Another great instalment Mr HubNut. :)
I lived and worked in Russell for about 2 years in the 1980's. Cool little place it is.
At 1:20 , 280 / 32 = 8.75 say a bit less than 9 litres per 100 km. My BX19TRS averaged 35mpg before the engine siezed and was replaced by a 1.9 litre naturally aspirated diesel which improved the economy to 53 mpg.
Old yellow Holden...1964 EH. Was my first car, getting scarce now. Cute cat!
I used to own a 1998 Caldina Gt-t, first one in Ireland that was a manual in fact. Miss that car, 260bhp 4 wheel drive. Confused many a person as it looks like an avensis estate!
'Dial-a-Curtain' - makes a change from pizza I suppose
"On to the DECK" in a country where the E gets replaced by the letter I.
No a double ee,deek
Michael Monk It depends a bit on socio economic background
@@vtecpreludevtec I'm not paying a dime ...
Thanks for your correction on New Zealand’s history, much appreciated Ian
Anyone that couldn't infer he meant NZ as a country was being a little precious over it.
"Peninsular" is one option. 'Promontory' is another.
pmailkeey or ‘end bit’
@@colblimp "Headland" - and I bet there's another 3 names - not including ness.
Penis,that leaves two!.
Appendix? One left.
Sticking out bit?
The New Zealand number plate nomenclature made my day.
Another episode of vicarious living as it's -17c here. One of my all time favorite NZ films is Once Were Warriors, very hard hitting gritty look into indigenous living today in NZ, kind of pertinant as i live near many Indian Reservations, my wife works with many of them dealing with online issues.
Yes,Aussie,NZ,North American indigenous have a lot in common.Still,our deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters is Maori.Trumps deputy isn’t a native.
@@vtecpreludevtec Winston Peters is a relative of mine and is basically a traitor having sold out NZ to a bunch of champagne socialists who didn't collect enough votes to be government. If any of our ancestors were alive today,I know what would have happened, he would have received a whack on the head and been placed in the Hangi. My Maori ancestors differed greatly from Australian aboriginal and American natives. Why? because they never ever considered them selves to be inferior to the pakeha (anyone who wasn't Maori).Todays victimology sticks in my craw as the cultural marxists attempt to fool the world into thinking they are victims. There have been dozens of Maori in positions of Authority in New Zealand,there being no impediment to getting ahead in life,none what so ever.
Mercmad I merely attempted to point out differences and similarities with indigenous in the white settler countries.As for NZ history I don’t need a lesson,I could teach it,having early settler /indigenous cred too.
Mercmad do you watch Pommy NZ utuber Cross The Rubicon?.If not do,he ain’t big on Winnie
@@Mercmad Yeah if ye've been keeping up with the reconciliation with the Canadian government and the first nations its an awful treadmill they've got of just throwing money at a devided people making the addictions and violence worse. I got a good discussion going once when i said to a native friend "my people have allot of wisdom to give when it comes to taking back your self respect and pride" and you know it's funny how many of the Sioux know quite a bit about Scottish/celt history and the more than half a century of dictatorship.
Loving the different variety of Toyotas. We don’t them all in the uk. Hope the BX is going to be ok 👍
If you like the north island you’ll love the south island. Its amazing and much quieter. Theres a great shanty town on the south island i visited. I hope you discovered the camper returns thanks to my tip off ;)
Ian, I’m so glad you appreciated the EH Holden. They are a lovely car to drive providing you can find one that still survives.
Late 70s they were blimmin rust buckets,few survivors
Mike Berg ,EH mid 60s and there is still plenty of them still on the road
Good on you mate keep up the good work love seeing your clips, Enjoy your travels!
Lovely area. You are the travelling cat whisperer lol.
You NEARLY had it right with the number plates, mate. Here's a bit of trivia on our number plate / licensing system (for what it's worth) as number plate spotting is a quirk I have had since I was a kid.
Prior to 1964, number plates were also the form of licensing used and were replaced every year. In '64, they started using a pressed aluminium plate (instead of pressed tin), which then stayed on the same vehicle until the vehicle was taken off the road and the plate retired. The yearly licensing compliance (see below) became a sticker at this point. As for the plates, one side was painted black, then it went through the press to raise the lettering / numbers in sequence, then through the final thicknesser, which ground the top off the raised characters so that they appeared as silver on black. The first of this 'black plate' series was AA1 and by 2001 had gone all the way to ZZ9989 (the last 10 of that series had been issued as personalised plates.....which wouldn't have been MY first pick for one, but each to their own.) The next series began with 3 letters and 3 numbers as AAA001. I know this, because a friend of my in-laws has a 2001 Camry with this plate and it's not a personalised one The plates were issued with the preceding zeroes from the start of the '3-letterl series until they started in the C's - ie: CAA1 - where they went back to NOT including the preceding zeroes. Trailers, motorbikes and caravans have their own sequences, but I will leave these alone unless asked.
Personalised plates were introduced around early 1988 and I can remember seeing a Roman Bronze Mini Clubman 1275GT barrelling aliong the Great South Rd in Otahuhu with the plate SEXY on it around March 88. Personalised plates - unusually - do not have to be sold with the car in this country and are the personal property of the owner of the vehicle. They can be sold with the car or they can be replaced with a standard set of plates (whether the car's original ones or a new set from the NZTA) after a form has been filled out, whence they can be put onto another car of choice. My Stag was bought with its personalised plate and my 2500S has a 2002-issued white plate after a previous owner had a personalised plate transferred onto (and then back off) the vehicle. My Mini still has it's original black plate from when it was new in 1978.
The black on silver plates were changed to a reflective white plate, with the raised (pressed) lettering being painted black in 1987, with the introduction of the N-series plates (ie: NA1 onward) The font used on the white plates was also changed in 2006 with the beginning of the DFN series and remains as such today. Initially, the white plates were met with scorn and much derision because they were so different in appearance. People also found that the paint on early N-series plates had a propensity for falling off if petrol, meths or some types of polish were used to clean the bugs and / or tar off them, as was the habit of the time. I guess hot soapy water had not been something these people used to clean their vehicles, but I digress.
As mentioned, licensing of vehicles when permanent plates were introduced was initially a sticker attacked to the inside centre top of the windscreen and all vehicles renewed their license every year during the month of June. This changed in 1986 to a smaller external windscreen sticker placed on the top RH side of the screen and existing vehicles were advised of a new month they would now be renewing on each year (in order to spread the load out I think), while new vehicles from then on just subsequently renewed their road licenses in the month they were first registered. This continued until anyone renewed their vehicle's license into the 1996 year, when the external licensing sticker was replaced by a small card. Said card has to be placed in a clear pouch attached at the bottom left of the windscreen and this is what you see today. Some old cars still wear the previous forms of registration sticker as a little patina / nostalgic trip / authenticity, but seeing them is still quite rare.
Hope this was interesting for you :) It's a source of amusement for me to see what people go all Anorak-y over.....and this is my example I suppose!
Loving the v logs looks like
Your having a ball & loving the bx keep the v logs coming
Lovely Jubbly, quirky little seaside town, not a patch on Aberystwyth on a sunny day.
Toyota "Ist": Toyota had a phase when they used german words as a name for its cars, there were also the "Opa" (grandpa) and "Raum" (room). "Ist" simply means "is".
Have you applied for your numer plate yet? HUBNUT would enhance any car! :-)
HUBNUT is available to purchase in NZ, with a price of NZ$999. Or about GBP500. kiwiplates.nz/get-a-plate/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwr-_tBRCMARIsAN413WSVeZdrtZqJDQhCnUAIgmymwZyoHDZHVLoDiyhTIn3GX21AcWkJBGIaAsJQEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds#choose-range
HU13 NUT is available in UK for £250 but needs a 2013 car or newer.
I was looking forward to seeing the BX on the South Island. I had never noticed that about the number plates.
Excellent and enjoyable! Educational, visually splendid, and like a time machine. Always feel I’ve been transported three times the length of time in a third of it... or time flies! Very agreeable architecture and tasty vehicular totty. Remember there is nothing disagreeable about Mr Hub Nut’s Face or knees. I’m enjoying these posts just as they are! I hope the tea is nice? How’s the water? Is cake what it aughta? I see the kiwi kitties are super cute and friendly. George, back home will be enjoying seeing them! Are you going to bungee jump while you are there? Connolly said if you do it naked, it’s free! Thanks for the BX suspension Action! I think that’s my pantograph wiper equivalent!
Lovely,brings back my holiday in North Island..
Loving the adventure, beautiful county. Just wish the videos showed a little more.
The Croatia vids were epic and for some viewers too long, but would be great to see a bit more of the journey.
Exactly the reason I thought the BX was a good choice because you know them well and are able to figure out the foibles with it as they occur and hopefully won't get stuck.
Didn't know the citroen BX had foibles. Where are they mounted, under the bonnet?
@@law1008 Not sure where they are on a BX but every car has them so I'd have to look it up.
@@graemew7001 Should find it in "Foibles for Dummies"?
The BX is essentially a massive foible.
first visit to NZ in 1989 and a lot of old cars in those days: Minx, Mini's e.g.
I remember a number of years ago seeing "Crimewatch NZ" whose main storys featured an abandoned Vauxhall Viva (or Holden equivalent) and that an expensive camera had been handed in to the police office!
Well try reading the Shetland Times: . " On Tuesday a Nissan Micra motor vehicle collided with a shopping trolley in the CoOp supermarket carpark. Both the car and the trolley sustained light damage".
Any number plate... 'HUBNUT'. 😂😂😂 Volcanic shigle beach. The North Island has taken some big volcanic hits in the past, ring of fire and all that. No wonder the New Zealand gov has made it very hard to move there. Great content rich vlog.👍
Back in the day (70s), I regularly visited NZ and it was very apparent that most cars on the road were old - Ford Anglias, Morris Oxfords etc.. I was told it was because new cars were very expensive due to exorbitantly high import duty. I presume that that is no longer the case - lots of new-ish cars kicking about.
It was very protectionist, so manufacturers assembled cars here. But financial issues stopped most of them. With an aging fleet, the government removed import duties.
Check out Breakfast with the cars Pahia on this Sunday. Would be great to see you there!
Bother. I think I'll be further north by then.
Absolutely agree that television is best avoided. I've been avoiding it for years!
Loving those back window shades, man. :)
I would be careful about pumping the BX height up if you can! Doing this spelled the end of mine when halfway up it burst a strut and pissed green everywhere. In typical fashion it was the day after I signed for my new car, and due to continual eBay timewasters I couldn’t keep it.
You need your 'own' space rather than airbnbs,,,an RV sounds perfect,,,your travelogues informal and informing and as others state here am getting addicted,as I was of your European trip...🌞
A proper friendly cat .
Enjoy your latest adventure.
Yes, breakfast TV is best to be avoided if possible 😁. Hoping you'll call in and see us, I mean our Austin 3litres, on your way south. I'm sure you'll be in touch with John about it. 😁
Oh yes! Should be spending a fair bit of time in Auckland.