Hello nbman0602, for what it's worth I did my MEIR with New Plymouth Aero Club (albeit 17 years ago!). I understand that Wayne Harrison the CFI is still there. He has a significant amount of experience and is well respected by the NZCAA. The training I had was excellent and started with the basics of VOR/ADF tracking on a c152 before progressing onto the 'bigger stuff' to do the cross country and ME work, saving quite a sum. The routes flown on the training provided a variety not available in the UK ie high MSA's, DME steps and arcs etc. Might be worth dropping them a line to see what they can offer, after all an e-mail costs nothing. The address is
[email protected].
Ironically I had a passenger on a flight recently (I'm a 767 capt with a Uk charter airline) who was about to do their PPL with them, which tells you something.
Hope this is of some help and best of luck, I wish you well!
Regards.