bro check out either cheapskates, boarderlines, trademe. all decent prices if you can't find cheap ones on here. Mitre10 mega even has lower quality ones for $12. What sort of zigs?

Helmets should be mandatory, kneepads are more optional - helmets keep you alive, kneepads keep you walking - can't walk if you're not alive, so guess which one's more important?.

I personally wouldn't buy a 2nd-hand helmet, you never know what's happened to it and how it's been treated - I'd like my head to stay in one piece, so I'm gonna buy a new one cos I know it hasn't been dropped/kicked/dragged along the ground at 50km/h/exposed to UV or chemicals that may weaken it. Cheapskates and Hyper have helmets for around $20, and I suspect Boarderlines/Ultimate boards would be much the same. Cheapskates also do a full pad set for around $50, which is ok for learners like me (I suspect the fabric won't last long once I take a few good falls onto them at speed though).

right, can you shop online at cheapskates? I have tried but can only get main site which has the stores and products, but not in detail and prices.
And fo the type of zigs, mostly looking for some lime zig zags, but what have you got? i just want to try a pair out.

get some kneepads from boarderlines there only $30