I flew out of Kaikoura around the mountains with an instructor and my two children. Just turned up on spec and asked when he was available. Great trip over some VERY inhospitable valleys, that whilst only 20 minutes by air, are six hours by road. Cost about 50 quid in 2000!!
Do visit the RNZAF museum in Christchurch, one of the best in the world IMHO.
If u want more NZ info, e me off forum. Great country -we gotta go back.......
DOC