New zealand sub forum ?

[bryn23]

Don't see the point the forum is open to any country, nothing to stop other kiwis joining

The idea is that with a sub forum for Kiwi's is that they can talk about whats products they can get there and same with materials.

Same goes with forum meet ups.

Ive been on quite a few forums that have country sub sections, as products (and names) are different.

It would be easier to follow the threads in a NZ sub forum.

[bryn23]

The GST import limit in NZ is $400, compared to the $1000 AUD we have here, i just started getting all my stuff from the states and imported them into NZ, i had to get an import license (it was free, just a piece of paperwork), as these are required for over a $1000 purchase.

As it was pointed out, tools and other things were 2-3 times the price of what i could get in Aus.

[ian]

The idea is that with a sub forum for Kiwi's is that they can talk about whats products they can get there and same with materials.

Same goes with forum meet ups.

Ive been on quite a few forums that have country sub sections, as products (and names) are different.

It would be easier to follow the threads in a NZ sub forum.

but would it detract from the community here?

[Big Shed]

So far the only member stating his location as NZ is the OP, sirex.

There have been 2 other positive responses, but both those members state their location as Brisbane, hardly an overwhelmingly positive response from NZ forum members.

There has been no response to Sturdee's post re a Group for NZ members, which I amplified also without any response.

As I said, there is already a Kiwi members group, which would seem to me to fill the bill nicely, but it also does not seem to have much of a Kiwi response.

[Ironwood]

So far the only member stating his location as NZ is the OP,
.

Is there a town in NZ called Yes ?

[bryn23]

but would it detract from the community here?

I don't think it would at all, as for members being from NZ, i think half of NZ lives here anyway, lol

[ian]

in part that's what I meant.

This forum might be Australian based but there are members in Canada, US, Italy, Netherlands, Germany, South Africa, as well as NZ.

does a NZ sub-forum risk sending a subtle message that people outside NZL are not welcome to participate?

[bueller]

IMO this place could do with a major subforum overhaul, there are so many it can be very overwhelming coming here for a first time user. I pretty much just use Spy to keep an eye on forum activity because trying to track so many different subforums is a mission.

[sirex]

I don't know, maybe. Otoh, i'm willing to bet all those places have their own communities in addition to here. NZ isn't really big enough to have such a thing but at the same time it's 1/5th the aussie population and right next door so imho it would make sense there would be a decent number of kiwi's here. The groups thing is probably a good idea and could potentially serve the purpose, but i've been coming here for years under one name or anouther and honestly i didn't even know they existed until it was linked to in this thread, so it's probably not well known of, or at least not well known of enough to serve it's purpose.

tbh there's so many sub forums here i was kind of assuming they were being made when interest was shown, so you know... just registering an interest My suspicion is that if you build it, they will come.

in part that's what I meant.

This forum might be Australian based but there are members in Canada, US, Italy, Netherlands, Germany, South Africa, as well as NZ.

does a NZ sub-forum risk sending a subtle message that people outside NZL are not welcome to participate?

[Big Shed]

I don't think it would at all, as for members being from NZ, i think half of NZ lives here anyway, lol

But that is not the demographic sirex is aiming at.

[ian]

I don't know, maybe. Otoh, i'm willing to bet all those places have their own communities in addition to here. NZ isn't really big enough to have such a thing but at the same time it's 1/5th the aussie population

com'on
the entire population of New Zealand (4.7 M) is less than the population of Sydney (5.0 M) -- even if you exclude the 15% of kiwis who already live in Australia.

but enough already.
This is not about bagging the rugby greats who live on the eastern side of the Tasman.


Like I'm one to talk, but in terms of encouraging fellow New Zealanders to "clump" together, you could do worse than arrange a NZL GTG.
Off the top of my head, I can think of 3 maybe 4 regular NZL posters who might be interested.


I've been a member of this forum for quite some time, and one of the things I've noticed is that the forum community appears to be strengthened when members meet in person to share stories or personally help each other. The GTGs organised by Dave TTC, Brett and Fletty are a very good example.
So I'd like to encourage you to explore the possibility.


Also, does anyone know if the Centre For Fine Woodworking in Nelson has a presence on this forum?


Like you my suspicion is that if you build it, they will come.

[P.W.H.]

Personally, I don't see the point. I want to hit as broad an audience as I can when I am asking for a review, and I don't want to limit what I post to just one tiny subgroup.
I noticed there were quite a few NZ contributors here and there in the topics I perused.

I make no secret of where I am (my new shed is in Kauri, just north of Whangarei) ... and if anyone wants to talk local stuff, I don't see why that cannot happen in any
of the other forums -- carbatec nz is not that different from carbatec au, same goes for machineryhouse and various others - or in a personal message.

Tried to give away some Tassie Blackwood logs when I sold my farm (for free) last June but didn't even get a nibble.


workshop.jpg

[ian]

shame that you couldn't fit the logs into that "castle"

[ubeaut]

As Fred has already mentioned there is already a section for NZ Members called Kiwi Woodworkers it can be found by clicking on: Community then Groups The community drop down is on the dark brown navigation bar at the top of all pages.

There are 18 Groups in all there many regional and mostly very, very, unused.

Anyone can set up a new group but getting people to join in, add posts or even use it is a problem that would need to be sorted out by the starter of the group, eg contacting other users who might be interested, putting on a notice saying the group is open and available for posting, etc.

Getting a group up and running is the same as getting a forum up and running only simpler as you already have a massive database of members to choose from and they're all in the right place. You will have to work it though. It won't just happen.

The Kiwi Woodworkers Group is pretty much dead with only 7 members and no posts since around 2009. Nice to have a number of members but if there are no posts to create any interest then it's just a collection of names, not a collection of interested or committed members.

Of interest: Jas The Master - Starter of Kiwi Woodworkers Group hasn't been on the forums since April 2014. So if someone wants to make a go of it then get off the mark and contact people who might be interested. Start by posting something in the Group then maybe do a search of Members from NZ currently the first 3 are on pages 7 and 9 when viewing 100 per page and there are 308 pages so a lot of pages to search if anyone wants to make it work.

Hope this is of some help.

Cheers - Neil