Apple Launches iTunes Store New Zealand

Guys the story here is bigger than just having an iTunes Store - here in NZ now have a proper online Apple Store, which means we can actually buy our Macs from Apple, not Renaissance (the company that's had distribution locked up here for ever).

Woohoo!

This means we're no longer subject to Renaissance's price gouging, the slow arrival of new products and the disinterested local staff.

Prices are cheaper - a 17" MacBook Pro is $5199 instead of $5499 at Magnummac (who seem to have dropped their price $50 "in response" since I last looked a couple of weeks ago). Talked to the Apple Store guy on the phone today and he was helpful and knowledgeable - a nice change. He was in Sydney, but I don't mind.

Must be time to buy a new built-to-order MBP.

Come on, everyone knows that Crowded House are 'Australian'! We only allow NZ to take credit for people who have lost all respect, like Russell Crowe.

This is so overdue, it's not funny. The oddity is it was only held up by DRM disputes, as tinpot record company execs made it not worth Apple's while bothering to do a separate deal from the Australian store. Ironically, the consequence of sticking out for DRM is that NZ downloads copious amounts of illegal music - which is much harder to do there because broadband uptake is very poor. Really, really poor record company leadership has simply kept nz musicians away from their prime audience. Hoenstly, nominations anyone for worse music industry management than New Zealand's (total music export sales $5 million - pfft).

It has taken both some tough work on DRM, and the smashing of Telecom's broadband monopoly to bring to NZ what the rest of the world has had for years.

Go Apple.

thet's choice, ay.

Why are there NZ-exclusive artists? Surely it makes sense to offer everything to all stores? (yes, I know the US store also has exclusive content and I think that should be offered to all stores as well)

Mike, it's working for me. Looks strange, but working.

WOOOHOOOOOOOOO Finally i dont have to use the expensive vodafone music store that doesnt even work with my ipod (3 bucs NZ a song is a little steep for me) and also prices have droped for the macintosh hardware etc cause apple has taken over renaissance corperation in controlling apple's distribution HOW GREAT US THAT 500 bucs was shaved off the 24" imac for us NZers YAY

Its a shame that the NZ itunes website (itunes.co.nz) is currently down, but I guess things like that happen on the first day of launch.

:(

nooo...prices went down. I got my 20" c2d mac through education discount for 2760 a month ago. Now its 2690 without the education discount. We now also have the option to customize the systems though, which is nice.

My home country too, and although I haven't lived there for 5 years I still have a NZ credit card...and the songs end up a lot cheaper than the UK store £0.62 in stead of £0.79