Traveling to Christchurch...Airport Scanners/Hand-checks/Etc

[Slumgullion]

I'll be visiting the South Island of New Zealand in Mid January. Ideally, I'd like to shoot film on the trip. After a bit of cursory research (i.e. Reddit), it appears that CHC International Airport has a zero tolerance policy on hand-checking film (as in, if it goes on the plane, it gets scanned). So, I have three questions:

1. Are there any Kiwis on the board or others who've travelled out of Christchurch that can confirm the veracity of the above claim?
2. If it's is true, does anyone have any good recommendations for labs in Christchurch that can develop C-41 or black and white quickly (and do a good job)?
3. Unrelated to the above, does anyone have any must visit spots? I plan on renting a car and driving to Wanaka and Queenstown and wherever else (with-in reason).

Thanks in advance!

 

[Freakscene]

I'll be visiting the South Island of New Zealand in Mid January. Ideally, I'd like to shoot film on the trip. After a bit of cursory research (i.e. Reddit), it appears that CHC International Airport has a zero tolerance policy on hand-checking film (as in, if it goes on the plane, it gets scanned). So, I have three questions:

1. Are there any Kiwis on the board or others who've travelled out of Christchurch that can confirm the veracity of the above claim?
2. If it's is true, does anyone have any good recommendations for labs in Christchurch that can develop C-41 or black and white quickly (and do a good job)?
3. Unrelated to the above, does anyone have any must visit spots? I plan on renting a car and driving to Wanaka and Queenstown and wherever else (with-in reason).

Thanks in advance!

Are you going to Marlborough? Just as a connection made with your wine photos. Everything in the South Island of NZ is worth seeing. There are lots of nice day walks near Christchurch. Just let someone know where you are going and be careful.

You are just missing Bluff oyster season! A shame. Any local seafood is great blue cod as the fish in fish and chips is tremendous. The dairy products, beef and wine are also lovely.

Main question: I flew in and out of Christchurch annually 2016-19 and went back a couple of times in 2023. I can confirm that they do not do hand inspections. Their security people are the nicest in the world (seriously, in my view they are the nicest) but their policy is no hand checks.

Good film labs:
Photo Digital 283 Lincoln Road, Addington, Christchurch 8024
Ferrymead Film 94 Byron Street, Sydenham, Christchurch 8023, New Zealand

Ferrymead is great. I have dropped film to them and had very good quality scans by the time I got back to where I was staying.

Have a great time!

 

[Slumgullion]

Are you going to Marlborough? Just as a connection made with your wine photos. Everything in the South Island of NZ is worth seeing. There are lots of nice day walks near Christchurch. Just let someone know where you are going and be careful.

You are just missing Bluff oyster season! A shame. Any local seafood is great blue cod as the fish in fish and chips is tremendous. The dairy products, beef and wine are also lovely.

Main question: I flew in and out of Christchurch annually 2016-19 and went back a couple of times in 2023. I can confirm that they do not do hand inspections. Their security people are the nicest in the world (seriously, in my view they are the nicest) but their policy is no hand checks.

Good film labs:
Photo Digital 283 Lincoln Road, Addington, Christchurch 8024
Ferrymead Film 94 Byron Street, Sydenham, Christchurch 8023, New Zealand

Ferrymead is great. I have dropped film to them and had very good quality scans by the time I got back to where I was staying.

Have a great time!

Thanks for all this info. I was afraid that my fears would be confirmed. I want to travel light, so I might just take a digital camera...but, who knows. I'll probably change and re-change my mind 25 times between now and then.

Your have the right idea - thinking that it is a wine related trip...sort of. Two friends (one American, one Kiwi) are getting married near Wanaka. I met them through wine. There is a good amount of cultural exchange between New Zealand and Oregon - we have similar populations, similar-ish climates, similar industries (i.e. Ag, Timber, etc). Lots of New Zealanders come to work grape harvest in wine here and vice versa. Central Otago is fairly close to Wanaka, so I'll probably make a few stops there.

I am very excited to eat seafood, pies, lamb and anything else along with all the local wine and beer.

 

[Freakscene]

Thanks for all this info. I was afraid that my fears would be confirmed. I want to travel light, so I might just take a digital camera...but, who knows. I'll probably change and re-change my mind 25 times between now and then.

That I understand. You'll get the best photos you can if you take what you're most familiar with.

Your have the right idea - thinking that it is a wine related trip...sort of. Two friends (one American, one Kiwi) are getting married near Wanaka. I met them through wine. There is a good amount of cultural exchange between New Zealand and Oregon - we have similar populations, similar-ish climates, similar industries (i.e. Ag, Timber, etc). Lots of New Zealanders come to work grape harvest in wine here and vice versa. Central Otago is fairly close to Wanaka, so I'll probably make a few stops there.

Indeed, well, enjoy.

Wanaka! You should go see That Wānaka Tree. Just leave the tree be.

I am very excited to eat seafood, pies, lamb and anything else along with all the local wine and beer.

Blue cod, lobsters, oysters (farmed Pacific oysters will be available) are fantastic. The green shell mussels are everywhere and are very good, even if I prefer blue mussels. In Christchurch, Manu, Fishy Friends and King of Snake are great places to eat. If you let me know where you are going I can make more suggestions.

If you drive, PLEASE BE CAREFUL, particularly if you are not familiar with left hand traffic. The roads vary from good to hair raising, and although it is the Austral summer and the weather should mostly be warm, at altitude it can freeze or snow anytime. On the west coast be very careful on the one lane bridges and get ready to use the lay-bys especially if the oncoming vehicle is large. Better to get there late than not to get there.

Feel free to direct message me. I am very familiar with the NZ South Island.

 

[Slumgullion]

That I understand. You'll get the best photos you can if you take what you're most familiar with.



Indeed, well, enjoy.

Wanaka! You should go see That Wānaka Tree. Just leave the tree be.



Blue cod, lobsters, oysters (farmed Pacific oysters will be available) are fantastic. The green shell mussels are everywhere and are very good, even if I prefer blue mussels. In Christchurch, Manu, Fishy Friends and King of Snake are great places to eat. If you let me know where you are going I can make more suggestions.

If you drive, PLEASE BE CAREFUL, particularly if you are not familiar with left hand traffic. The roads vary from good to hair raising, and although it is the Austral summer the . On the west coast be very careful on the one lane bridges and get ready to use the lay-bys especially if the oncoming vehicle is large. Better to get there late than not to get there.

Feel free to direct message me. I am very familiar with the NZ South Island.

Thanks, Marty! I'll message you