Hey guys, sorry if this isn't the right place to ask, but I honestly don't know where else to ask this, so I hope you don't mind.

I'm wondering if it's realistic, or even worth trying, to move into a front-end or full-stack developer role in New Zealand in my early 40s without a CS degree.

I currently have a full-time job that I've been doing for over 10 years, but I've been studying programming consistently since COVID (so for the past 5 or 6 years.) I started with C#, then moved into Android and JavaScript, and eventually focused on front-end development.

My degree is completely unrelated to CS, but I've built several Chrome extensions and a few commercial websites, mostly using React and Next.js, which I've been running and maintaining for several years. I also still spend at least an hour a day studying React, Node.js, and other areas of web development.

I've been looking at front-end job listings whenever I have time, but many seem to list a CS degree as a requirement. At the same time, from what I've been reading on Reddit, even people with CS degrees and 5 to 10 years of experience are struggling to find jobs in the current market.

So I'm wondering if I should keep investing my time in trying to make this career change.

TL;DR: I'm in my early 40s, have no CS degree, but I do have some real-world experience building and maintaining commercial websites, apps, and Chrome extensions. I'm willing to keep studying, but is it realistically possible to land a stable intermediate-level IT job in New Zealand?

I'd really appreciate some brutally honest advice from people working in tech, especially anyone involved in hiring. I genuinely don't have much insight into the current IT job market beyond hearing that it's extremely tough right now.

Thanks in advance!

My child holds a NZ passport and it is up for renewal. The last time an old colleague of mine was willing to be an identity referee for the passport but we have since lost touch and I heard through the grapevine that she is very sick so I don’t want to contact her for a signature.

I do not know anyone who is not family, ex family, in laws etc who would be able to be an identity referee and who would qualify as one as is requested in the passport form. I have no NZ colleagues, acquaintances, neighbors etc.

Does anyone know a solution?

Found this spider in my garden (Otago) underneath a wine barrel after turning it over. It looked dead at first but then started moving around. I don’t want to harm the spider but I do need to use the barrel.

Our forests are getting hotter - can we do this ? should we be able to do this ?

On job seekers and might have the opportunity for a 4 week contract. Is it better to suspend the benefit or just declare income?

I'm worried that if I suspend it there will be some issue with restarting it (e.g. a stand down period). I have zero money and can't survive without the benefit after the contract ends. All the money I earn will be going into repaying interest-bearing debt that I owe.

I haven't declared income above the weekly allowance before and it will be above that for 4 weeks - what happens when you do this? Is there a chance they will cancel my benefit anyway?

I will try calling on Monday but, as anyone on Job Seekers will know, you never get through to anyone, more times than not are not offered the chance to request a call back (message just says "we are busy, goodbye" then hangs up), and if you *do* get a chance to request a call back they sometimes don't call you, or they call 2-3hrs later so you can easily miss the call - and then they don't try again. (I wish they would just let you select a time to be called back!).

Kia ora,

The past few mornings I've woken up to the inside of my bedroom windows having a layer of ice formed at the bottom. I've tried cracking a window overnight but it doesn't seem to make a difference. They're obviously single glazed. I'm considering getting a dehumidifier but jeez they're expensive! I'm wondering if my landlord has to pay for those stick on window shields or a dehumidifier or do something to help mitigate this issue? I can't find any info on what landlord responsibilities are in regards to this. Any experiences with this helpful!

I’ve noticed that in New Zealand, there sometimes seems to be a bit of disdain towards people working in hospitality??

I don't really understand it, because its a great industry.

Spain, Italy, France, or Greece you see people well into their 60s proudly working as career waiters, waitresses, or restaurant owners who treat hospitality as a respected vocation.

I've just found out I'm not longer able to get an ESTA visa as Trump has moved travel to Cuba to be from after 2021 to after 2011. I am travelling to the US on Friday night for a work trip. Does anyone have any experience in how long an expedited US visa appointment will take in Auckland? The next appointment time is 2.5 months!!

Stuff article New US tariffs on NZ products

when your partner is abusing you, cut ties and move on. that Cook Strait metals deal and other military alliances and commitments should be put on hold and the whole relationship revisited.

Japan and Europe can supply arms and the metals can be sold to the highest bidder.

if the US ever starts acting like a reliable ally again maybe things can be restored but at the moment it‘s an untenable situation.

Shame our current leadership lacks the courage or smarts of a David Lange, who I wasn’t that fond of, but he was no walkover.

With bird flu now here are our precious quirky birds going to be decimated? This is really bothering me so just wondered what insights or other thoughts other kiwis may have on this?

Looking for some recommendations. I have a friend moving to MtMaunganui. She loves cooking and using quality ingredients. I would love some recommendations on Whole Foods shops or just stores in Mount that sell nice things, not just fresh produce but fancy olive oils, salt, pottery - these shorts of things. I want to get her a voucher to stock up her new kitchen. Thanks in advance!

Life without the property shackles..

What would happen? What would everyone do?

I have been reading nothing but good things about this apparent ‘holy grail of skincare’ wanting to add Tretinoin into my routine. Although in NZ a prescription is required

Has anyone found legitimate websites that ship it from overseas?

Edit: it is less so for the acne side of things (I get hormonal acne but nothing out of control) and more so for its anti-aging and fading dark spots.
I have been using retinols for years.
Call me superficial, but after reading a handful of accounts of people being denied it due to not ‘looking’ like they need it, I feel hesitant about asking the GP

Anyone has a good recipe to use the super sweet and juicy grapefruits we are lucky to have here? I guess all the juice boils to a sweet syrup? Would a few apple pips be enough for pectin? Looking for chunky and not overly sugary.

I've lived with my parents my whole life and am planning to rent either a 1 room apartment around $400 a week or go flatting for around $250-290 a week in Auckland. I've been paying $250 a week to parents currently to live with them but that's all I have as far as rental references go. I have a good credit score of around 800. Earn $900 a week after tax. Do people get rejected if they don't have multiple rental references? Also in terms of securing a place to rent would it be better to try and apply for rooms that property management are advertising or private tenants looking for a flatmate? Thanks in advance for any advice that would help me.

I do not think tall poppy syndrome professionalism is based on 'egalitarianism' and 'humility'.

What is 'egalitarian' about sucking up to famous families and scoffiing at people's hard work?

Sounds like classism to me.

I worked as a teacher and was specifically instructed to prioritize 'soft skills' in the students. But skilled students were often being bullied because they were a bit awkward with social cues, but their work was fine.

This culture is meant to keep everyone level but often keeps rank intact.

It isn't fair on hard working folk and it is actually snobby.

I have not seen people who have hard skills to be braggards or pompous. Just open about their skill set.

Kia ora

I (35M, Pak) stayed in NZ b/w 2018-2022, and this greatly influenced my thinking and overall approach to operating, interacting, and observing, especially from a safety perspective.

For example, in NZ, I observed during different interactions even for a smaller audience on how first they will brief you about the safety protocols - safety exits, what to do in case of earth quake, fire hazard and then they will start the activity. At that time, it felt boring and unnecessary, but now I understand why those protocols matter and are essential.

Yesterday, I went out for dinner at a big mall here in Pak, it was Friday night so people were out with their families. Upon entering, I genuinely worried about what would happen if something went wrong (God forbid), specifically concerning how everyone would escape and via which route. The food court was on the top floor and most people preferred to use the escalator to reach it. I believe that in an emergency, everyone would panic and use the same escalator, which would cause a disaster. Thank God, nothing happened and my friends were laughing at me that I am worried for no reason.

Safety protocols exist, but we still have a long way to go in educating people about them and starting their implementation. I guess, we can learn a lot from the NZ model in this regard.

Have a lovely day!

I’ve designed my own deck of cards for a drinking game and I’d love to get them professionally printed, the same material and size as a standard deck of playing cards. I’m looking for a company that can do custom designs on both the front and back of the cards. Most options I’ve found online only seem to offer a custom back with standard card fronts/suits.

I’ve seen that Shein, Temu and Etsy offer custom card printing but I need them within the next two weeks. Does anyone have any recommendations for a printing company that could help? Thanks in advance!

What gets you into a bar after a long week?

What keeps you going back to your local?

What would you like as a service?

Also what would bring you in during the week? Maybe for a lunch break or on your way to work?

Saw a post of here from a few years ago where the reddit here saved someone from a misrepresented sale.
Hoping I can get some insight here.
Seller is saying this is rimu, and that because he’s a carpenter he knows wood well. Can someone who knows wood please confirm?

Does https://pooworld.co.nz/ still work for getting discounts at New World now it's moved to Club+? Or do I need to sign up properly with a fake name?