When I left on my last trip to New Zealand, I discovered that the airline baggage policy had changed and I was hit with excess baggage charges. So once again I was considering leaving my heavy wheeled bike bag at home and packing the bike in a cardboard box.

But just before I booked flights, the airline once again announced a change to baggage policy, which allows me to have an extra piece of luggage (23kg) for $25. This is a bargain compared to the $10kg excess baggage charge, and will let me use the wheeled bag and not have to be quite so scrupulous with my packing. So I'm very happy about that.

I have located a backpacker in Dunedin who will let me have a private room to assemble and store the bike, and will store the bike bag and any surplus gear while I'm on the road, so things are definitely coming together.