Hi! To someone A few days ago someone posted a message advising there
intention to visit Auckland New Zealand and some Australian City. John
Burgess replied from the South Island but as far as I know he was the
only one. If you are still short of contacts when you get here drop
into Watch world at 102b Albert St Auckland City and ask for Bruce.
Maybe we could have a cup of coffee and I could be of some help.
Hi I have been reading all the messages on New Zealand as I would
really like to go one day. I was wondering if anyone can give me any
more on what the work situation is like out there in
jewellery of course and are there any areas that are better than others?
Hi I have been reading all the messages on New Zealand as I would really like to go one day. I was wondering if anyone can give me any more on what the work situation is like out there in jewellery of course and are there any areas that are better than others?
G’day Tessa; Well. I’m afraid that I’m going to ‘rain on your
parade.’ I live in the top part on the South Island, and have
talked to several jewellers around here. Every one told me it was a
bit of a struggle, and most were selling other items slightly related
to help out - watches, clocks, special sculptures, wood carvings, etc.
All were a bit ‘jaundiced’ in their outlook for the future of
jewellers here.
Asian competition is particularly fierce, as the Asians have cleaned
up their acts, and now turn out jewellery that is excellent and well
finished, but of course they work for so little reward, that Kiwi
jewellers find it hard to compete with the hourly rates. On top of
that, more and more Asian companies are turning out at least two very
good “Christmas tree” castings a day with at least 40 rings complete
with stones cast-set. The bench jeweller has a job to compete with
that for a start.
However, I’m told that if a jeweller has some brilliant ideas that
will be taken up by the ‘bright young things’ - Yuppies - and can get
into some of the exclusive galleries in the main NZ centres, he/she
can do quite well. But let me hasten to add that I am no expert on
the economics of the NZ jewellery trade. – Cheers, John Burgess;
@John_Burgess2 of Mapua Nelson NZ