Apple Watch to launch in New Zealand on July 31
Following an imminent mid-month expansion to sales, the next destination for the Apple Watch will be New Zealand, which is getting the device on July 31, according to an updated product page in the Apple Store iOS app.
For New Zealanders browsing the app, the page indicates that the Watch will become available after 7:01 a.m. local time on the 31st. Because there are no physical Apple Stores in the country, the only way of ordering the device from Apple will be online.
On July 17 the Watch is rolling out to a trio of new countries, namely Sweden, Thailand, and the Netherlands. In late June the wearable came to Italy, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, and Taiwan.
The product initially launched on April 24, but to just a group of major markets including Canada, China, Germany, the U.S., and the United Kingdom. Until late June it could only be purchased online, or at one of a handful of third-party luxury outlets.
Expansions should continue throughout 2015. By the fall Apple will have also released watchOS 2, adding features like native apps, a Nightstand mode, and third-party complications.
For New Zealanders browsing the app, the page indicates that the Watch will become available after 7:01 a.m. local time on the 31st. Because there are no physical Apple Stores in the country, the only way of ordering the device from Apple will be online.
On July 17 the Watch is rolling out to a trio of new countries, namely Sweden, Thailand, and the Netherlands. In late June the wearable came to Italy, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, and Taiwan.
The product initially launched on April 24, but to just a group of major markets including Canada, China, Germany, the U.S., and the United Kingdom. Until late June it could only be purchased online, or at one of a handful of third-party luxury outlets.
Expansions should continue throughout 2015. By the fall Apple will have also released watchOS 2, adding features like native apps, a Nightstand mode, and third-party complications.
Comments
The cheapest model will be almost NZ$600. Poor Kiwis
Current rate would be $520NZ and even with the bit of premium it's not that much.
It's still freaking $349US or thereabouts. Who knows, we've hit dollar for dollar in the recent past so maybe we can do it again close to the release date. ????
Yay! Can't wait for it to launch here in NZ. I'll be getting one of the Sport models for now, and see how it goes. If it's something that works well for me, I'd be getting a SS model for Gen2.
How the hell did you come up with that number?
Current rate would be $520NZ and even with the bit of premium it's not that much.
It's still freaking $349US or thereabouts. Who knows, we've hit dollar for dollar in the recent past so maybe we can do it again close to the release date. ????
You forgot GST and 'Apple Tax'. It's AU$499 here in OZ.
http://bgr.com/2015/07/15/apple-watch-review/
It won't sell here, regardless of the price. The kiwi idea of fashion is black polyester pant suits with bell bottoms and jandals from the Salvation Army store. Apple products are sneered at because most kiwis can't afford to buy milk, and their rent or mortgages cost 2-5x what a comparable home costs in a real country.
To the poster who complained about the "Apple tax" - you are fooling yourself. Until the Australian dollar tanked (when the Liberals and Tony Abbott came to power), Apple products were actually cheaper in Australia than in the US.
The current exchange rate is 1NZD = .66 USD, which is pathetic. Given the trend downwards, the price will only get worse. The NZ economy is weak and based on dairy which is in a major downturn worldwide, housing speculation which depends on wealthy immigrants who are increasingly looking elsewhere, tourism (see housing), and government spending, which has been funnelled to corporate and wealthy supporters of the party in power (like Australia). On top of that comes the 15% value added tax or GST (a national sales tax). You could order one online from the US and have it shipped here, but because there is a $400 limit (including shipping), Customs will add GST and about $100 in fees for wasting their time to process, so the net cost will be even more.
The comments were hilarious !
Rabid phandroidism - lol
Not today – the weather is very nice, and warm enough for lounging around outside the bach in boxers whilst drinking Tui.
Raining at your place, Red ?
The current exchange rate is 1NZD = .66 USD, which is pathetic. Given the trend downwards, the price will only get worse. The NZ economy is weak and based on dairy which is in a major downturn worldwide, housing speculation which depends on wealthy immigrants who are increasingly looking elsewhere, tourism (see housing), and government spending, which has been funnelled to corporate and wealthy supporters of the party in power (like Australia). On top of that comes the 15% value added tax or GST (a national sales tax). You could order one online from the US and have it shipped here, but because there is a $400 limit (including shipping), Customs will add GST and about $100 in fees for wasting their time to process, so the net cost will be even more.
Not to mention, The Hobbit Trilogy underperforming as well...
But don't worry Pete will have got paid ok - but yeah his share of first dollar receipts will likely be down a bit.
Two questions.
1. What city are you in claiming that as NZ Fashion?
2. Plenty of people have iPhones etc in NZ, most struggle to use them, but plenty of people have them
The fashion claim well is tongue in cheek - jeez hang out in Cuba street and it's close, sorta - and that's just the girls.
Although in that neck of the woods they're more likely to be wearing Doc Martens than jandals
Me - boardies and t shirt - everywhere.
Jeans, bush shirt and Red Bands if we're going out for a meal.
Yea, I know cliche but the absolute peak of sartorial kiwi attire !
I think the Apple watch will sell here very well - hell I don't know where the claim comes from that Apple products are scorned here, that's just bs. I put that down to a rainy day or maybe some other form of bias.
iPhone marketshare in NZ lags behind Australia and the worldwide average. I'm certainly not biased against Apple, but the economics and culture tend to favour Android and Samsung here.
The fashion claim well is tongue in cheek - jeez hang out in Cuba street and well it's close sorta - and that's just the girls.
Although in that neck of the woods they're more likely to be Doc Martens than jandals
Yes, my comment was sarcastic and silly, but also true. Sorry, Cuba street is not New Zealand - it's just one small area near the Uni where a tiny number of counterculture wannabes sometimes hang-out, along with posers and students who enjoy the vibe. It's also gone upscale in the past ten years, so the occasional funny hats and dreads are more costumes for special occasions. And the only girls wearing colourful clothes are the prostitutes
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And since you are in Wellington, tell me what colour is everyone wearing at the train station as they arrive in the morning or leave at 5pm? Yep, it's 90% black, and at least half are wearing part or all polyester.
Jeans, bush shirt and Red Bands if we're going out for a meal.
Yea, I know cliche but the absolute peak of sartorial kiwi attire !
Good on ya, Mate. But you aren't working a government job like the rest of the city.
Two questions.
1. What city are you in claiming that as NZ Fashion?
2. Plenty of people have iPhones etc in NZ, most struggle to use them, but plenty of people have them
Black is the National colour. Polyester is the National fabric (double entendres intended). See my comments above re: the nation's capital. Auckland has more diversity and business fashion sense, but pales in comparison to other metropolitan areas abroad. Plenty of iPhones, yes, but not as popular across the ditch or in Europe or America. And I have yet to see an Apple watch, and that's with the +6-figure crowd.
Everyone wears black here because it is sliming... Auckland might have the most people, but it is a tiny part of NZ
To the cost, if it's AUD499, surely with the value of the dollar falling off Apple will hedge to NZD550 minimum. Ouch
You forgot GST and 'Apple Tax'. It's AU$499 here in OZ.
Crap I forgot about GST. Comes to $598.
Still. A Casio G-Shock retails here for $300+ and that only really does time related stuff. An extra $300 for a computer on a watch is not that bad when you think about it.