Originally Posted by
sandgrubber
Thanks for the replies. One of the companies that has given me quotes goes via Nelson. They weren't the cheapest, but they were far from the most expensive, so I'll probably end out using them.
In general, Christchurch is the larger port, and though it's a somewhat longer shipping route, prices for the marine part of the trip seemed better to Christchurch than Nelson. I would be surprised if the inland route is the least bit container friendly, and I expect prices rise significantly where that route is necessary.
Yes, you are right.., the poor road has taken a big battering already and is constantly being patched up. It was never made for such a volume of traffic, and not for a high volume of heavy traffic at all.