I'm on the Kapiti Coast and would be interested in importing however I am more interested in specific things and wouldn't be a regular importer. I think all the ideas here are great but personally don't want to get involved in setting up a company and all that.
HOWEVER I do have a need - basically I want to ship some things in, not enough for a whole container but enough to make air freight inviable.
What I suggest is that those keen on it organise the container shipments from countries such as China and USA but particularly USA where there are a lot of great deals and brands which we can't get here in NZ. The organisers could then get people to pay for the shipments in based on space and weight and all that stuff. For example if I used up 20% of a container and someone else had 40% and someone else had another 40% then we each get charged but the reality is that we pay more for the total 100% than those organising it pay for the container and so there is a cool wee profit for those running the show.
If the above makes sense to you and you wanna run it and get those profits then please do. And I will be a grateful customer :)