History of Macs in New Zealand - Page 2

Written by Philip Roy | 21 February 2008

2006

December 6, 2006

A number of significant events happened that effect the way in which Mac users in New Zealand can purchase goods and the way in which Mac are distributed within New Zealand. The major impetus for these changes was the launch of the New Zealand version of the iTunes Store.

At the same time, the website http://www.apple.co.nz, which had previously been maintained within New Zealand by Renaissance, the official distributor of Apple Computer in New Zealand, changed and redirected to the more standard 'fully fledged' Apple-like website, although it should be pointed out that Apple currently still does not have its own presence in New Zealand.

This change also saw New Zealanders have access to an online Apple Store for New Zealand. Immediately, prices dropped by around 8% (a value most have suggested was added to Macs as they arrived into New Zealand for sale) and shipping of Macs from their Australian location to New Zealand became free. Resellers in New Zealand were also allowed to drop prices at that time to match the online store.

The iTunes Store featured on launch a selection of songs priced at NZ$1.79, music videos at NZ$3.59 and most albums at NZ$17.99. New features previously unavailable to New Zealanders included easy custom configuration of Macs, iPod engraving and the ability to purchase the iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition Purchase.

Renaissance released a Press Release on the day that stated….

"Renaissance would like to advise that following Apple's launch this morning of the Apple Online Store and iTunes Online Store, Renaissance will no longer be responsible for maintaining the web site and online store on Apple's behalf. As a result of this change, New Zealand will now come under Apple’s worldwide pricing model. Renaissance expects this to help increase overall demand for Apple products across all channels in the country.

While this change means Apple will have a direct online presence in New Zealand, Renaissance will continue to manage the distribution of Apple products in New Zealand. There are no changes in the contractual agreement between Apple and Renaissance.

Some existing web services from the Apple Division of Renaissance have been transitioned to a new website that is accessible from http://www.renaissance.co.nz

End-users who want to be automatically connected to an Apple Authorised Reseller should call 0800 50 50 70."

The Apple section of their website can now be found at http://apple.renaissance.co.nz/

Macguide Issue 30 - Nov/Dec 2006

• Mac Gear, iPod Gear, News, Letters
• Cover Story - Software for Wetware (celebrating Issue 30 of Macguide)
• Pro File - Daniel Batten, BioMatters
• Style File
• Pro File - Janette Heffernan
• Apple Ed - Massey Thinks Different
• Apple Ed - ULearn '06
• Web Standards
• Review - Apple Mac Pro, TechTool Pro 4.5.1 (UB), Nokia N70 SmartPhone, Logitech MX and VX Revolution, Canon EOS 400D, Canon EOS 5D
• Games - Sims 2 : Open For Business
• Games News
• How to…Apple Pages demystified, Better bookmarks, Wireless music with Airport Express, Add Ram into an iMac
• Internet and Widgets
• Multimedia - Getting started with Skype
• Digital - Fraser and Joy Kitt
• Mac Kids - Websites, Your own site
• Winfrey Essex

Macguide Issue 29 - Sept/Oct 2006

• Mac Gear, iPod Gear, News, Letters
• Cover Story - Tertiary Macs
• Apple Ed - The 'E' Dimension
• Pro File - Stephen Voss, Astro Imager
• Style File
• Pro File - Kahra Scott-James, Sound Designer
• Review - Apple Macbook, FileMaker Pro 8.5, Canon EOS 30D, Olympus MJU 720SW, Steal This Computer Book 4.0, Epson Photo RX650, Ovolab Phlink
• Games - Civilization IV, Dofus
• Games News
• How to…Blog, Export Keynote slideshows in Flash format, Record audio with Microsoft Word, Recover music from your iPod
• Help - Dr Mac
• Internet - Sites, Shareware, Widget World
• Multimedia - Podcasting with GarageBand 3
• Digital - The numbers game
• Mac Kids - Websites, Mac + PC = Love
• Winfrey Essex

Macguide Issue 28 - July/Aug 2006

• Mac Gear, iPod Gear, iPod Evolution, Letters, News
• What Mac for what?
• Apple Republik
• Apple Ed - Macs in Schools : a Case in Point England
• Style File - iPod
• Multimedia - ShowMacster for iChat
• Feature - Webstock
• Feature - Macguide at your fingertips
• Shareware - Pat's Picks - iTunes enhancements
• Internet - AntiSpam sites
• Widgets
• Review - V700 Photo Scanner, Panasonic Lumix TZ1, Boot Camp, Microsoft wireless laser desktop keyboard and mouse, HP Photosmart 3110, Adobe Photoshop Elements 4, Casio EX-260, Casio EX-Z600 and Casio EX-Z850
• Digital - Parallel imported goods
• Games - News, Quake IV, Call of Duty 2, The Sims 2 : Nightlife expansion
• Kids - Websites and widget watch
• Newbies - The keys to keynote
• Power-Up - Magnificent Macros
• Feature - iPod Guide to Art
• Mac Books
• Dr Mac
• Opinion - Let's commit a crime

Macguide Issue 27 - May/June 2006

• Mac Gear, iPod Gear, iPod Legal, Letters, News
• Higher Learning
• Happy Birthday Apple
• Style File - iPod
• Multimedia - MovieWorks Deluxe
• Superman's iPod
• Newbies - Photo Booth
• PowerUp - Memory Management
• Shareware - Stars in your eyes?
• Robbed - Securing your Mac
• Widgets
• Review - Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch laptop, Mac mini Core Duo, Fuji V10, Maxtor One-Touch III Turbo, Xbox 360, Altec Lansing iM7, Panasonic CQ-C3303W
• Games - Civilization III: Complete and the latest game news
• Kids - Websites and widget watch
• Pro File - Dori Smith
• Apple Ed - Teaching and Navigation
• Apple Ed - Musical education at Aranui High School
• Shop Visit - CODA
• Dr Mac
• Opinion - Repent, repent! The Mac hack is upon us!

Macguide Issue 26 - Mar/Apr 2006

• Mac Gear, iPod Gear, Letters, News
• Get more from your Mac
• Sonnet rescues older iPods
• Style File - iPod
• Multimedia - Themes in iMovie HD 6
• The Grey Matter - The new Intel Core Duo
• Digital - California Dreaming
• Newbies - iWeb '06
• PowerUp - Bookmarks
• Widgets, Internet (including Mac Tips sites)
• Review - Intel iMac 20-inch, G5 Quad, FileMaker 8 Server, The Cult of iPod
• First look - iLife 2006, iWork '06
• Games - Stubbs the Zombie, The Sims 2 University, Rollercoaster Tycoon 3, Game bits
• Kids - Websites, widgets and Kidmac profile
• Apple Ed - The Education Front
• Aperture vs Lightroom
• Pro File - Sound Designer Hugo Tichborne
• Feature - Ken's Digital Christchurch
• Dr Mac
• Opinion - Will it, won't it?

Macguide Issue 25 - Jan/Feb 2006

• Macguide Gear, iPod Gear, Letters, News
• Massive Annual Macguide Prize Giveaway
• Macguide Awards 2005
• St James has a leading edge
• Computers in Homes
• Style File
• Digi-Cam - Seven of the best
• Multimedia - Macromedia Studio 8 - A closer look
• Newbies Guide to AppleScript
• PowerUp to a lazy life
• Internet - Pat's Picks, Sites for more eyes, Wonderful widgets
• Reviews - Meet the 'FRiMac', PowerBook 15”/1.67 Ghz, iPod video 30Gb (5G), The Cult of Mac, Palm Z22 and TX, Pentax *ist DL, Toast 7 Titanium, Epson AcuLaser 2600N, iDrum, Canon Ixus iZoom, Fuji Finepix 5600, Olympus SPP-500 UZ
• Games - Kill Monty and Games News
• Mac Kids - Websites
• Apple Ed - KUTE and Kids Congress
• Pro File - PearSoft, Hamilton
• ArchiTalk Christmas Wish List
• Pro File - iPod Man
• Dr Mac
• Opinion - Where is the Kiwi iTunes' Store?