Hello Swordfish
Unfortunately, Massey tends to consider the GA industry as beneath consideration, and therefore does not train it's pilots to operate within the GA umbrella.
The problem with this concept is; in New Zealand and Australia, pilots have to hour build in GA before being considered for airline positions.
The important skills needed to enter the GA industry, (Short feild, x wind, mountain, strip and rough weather VFR to name a few), are not being taught to an acceptable standard by Massey. (Again see comments by operators around the county).
If you want to get it right first time, go to a full time school that trains for the GA industry, not the airlines, and one that operates in a multitude of differing environments. Any school in the lower half of the south island would be best, extreme weather, mountains, coastal, strips etc.
Try either Mainland or Southern Wings, as in my experience, the are on the right track.
Regards
Aluminium Rain