中文版 (Chinese Version) 한국어판 (Korean Version) home welcome tips to settle in Get the information you need Open a bank account Get an Inland Revenue Department Tax Number Housing Services Power Water Services Telephone Insurance Telecommunications Rates Rubbish Collection Noise Get around Whangarei City and District Education Finding work Improve your English Health Care NZ Immigration Service emergency info everyday life fun & recreation Tips to settle in Services Power There are several power suppliers in the District. When you move into a new home you will need to contact a supplier to arrange your power connection. All providers have a free phone number to call. A bond may be required to be paid with the first bill See Electricity Supply - Retail. Water Services The Whangarei District Council is responsible for providing water in the urban areas of the District. Property owners are responsible for providing water on most rural properties. Rural water comes from rain water or by buying water ( see Water Carriers), or from natural water sources like springs, streams or dams. All water passing through a water meter on your urban property is charged for by Whangarei District Council. The cost of maintaining the water system on your property from the point of supply is your responsibility. If there is a water leak on your property it is your responsibility to fix it. Contact a plumber. See Plumber. If you think there is a leak in the line from the supply point to your home, contact Whangarei District Council Customer Services; ph. 430 4200. Telephone There are several service providers: Telecom - Free Phone 123 and follow instructions or www.telecom.co.nz. Telecom has an Asian Call centre staffed with Cantonese, Mandarin and Korean speakers - phone 0800 168 168. Telstra Clear: Free Phone 0508 888 800 and follow instructions or www.telstraclear.co.nz. Insurance Insuring your house, possessions and life is important. There are a number of insurance companies in the District. For further assistance in finding an insurer contact CAB See Insurance Brokers - Fire & General and Insurance Companies & Offices. Tip: Evidence of a "no claims" status (even from another country) may help qualify you for a "no claims" status with a New Zealand company. Bring supporting documents with you when applying for insurance. Telecommunications Internet connections are available throughout the District. Some areas are still on dial-up connections. To find out if internet access and broadband services are available, phone Telecom Internet Services; Broadband 0800 00 30 40 or Dial-Up 0800 28 99 87. Internet is also available at all libraries. Enquire at the Library Help Desk for information on accessing the internet services. Free internet access is available at 155 Kamo Road community centre. There are many Internet Service Providers - shop around. See Internet & On-line Services. Cellular Phones There are two cell phone networks available in New Zealand, Telecom and Vodafone See Mobile Phones. Rates If you purchase a property, the Whangarei District Council and Northland Regional Council will charge annual rates, based on the value of the property. Both rates' charges are collected by Whangarei District Council. There are a number of payment options available when you pay your rates. Contact Whangarei District Council Customer Services on 0800 WDC INFO or ph: 430 4200. Rubbish Collection Rubbish and recycling are collected weekly from your kerbside or gate if you live in Whangarei City or on a rural collection route. If you live on a rural side road, take your rubbish bag and recycle bin to your nearest intersection on a collection route. Rubbish recycling bins are available from Whangarei District Council Customer Service Centres. Official rubbish bags are available from supermarkets and dairies, or use any other bag of the correct size (up to 65 litres and a maximum weight of 13 kilograms) as long as it has an official sticker on it. Stickers are available at supermarkets, dairies and some service stations. For a list of recycling items, please contact WDC Customer Services on ph. 0800 WDC INFO or ph. 430 4200. Council also operates a recycling centre in Kioreroa Road, Whangarei, and transfer stations at Uretiti, Tauraroa, Kokopu, Hikurangi, Ngunguru, Oakura, Ruatangata and Parua Bay. These accept general rubbish, garden rubbish and recyclables by the bagful, trailer or truck-load. There is a charge for rubbish at transfer stations. There is no charge for approved recyclables, and the fee for vegetation is half that of the same quantity of general rubbish. You can compost vegetable matter on your land. Whangarei District Council Customer Services has information on composting in "A Guide to Garden Composting". Contact Customer Services or www.wdc.govt.nz , key word search: rubbish composting. Noise Whangarei District Council contractors are responsible for investigating and reducing or stopping noise that is considered excessive. If you are concerned about noise: Environment Northland is responsible for investigating your complaint; Complaints are forwarded directly to an officer on the road; If the noise is considered unreasonable it will be stopped or reduced; If it starts again after the officer has visited, you should phone again and the officer will remove the cause; This is a confidential service. Phone (09) 438 7513 - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.