Don't really know about converting your licence (
www.caa.govt.nz).
At the moment the regionals are all hiring - should stay like that for the next year or so as Air NZ are expected to continue hiring throughout next year.
Air Nelson.
Great company to work for. Lot of experienced pilots (as I say job is pretty good so many don't want to leave). In the process of replacing SAAB340's with new Dash8-300s. Roster is for 28 days, issued a week in advance, with opportunity to specify 8 days off or specific duties. Generally work fairly hard - maybe 1 or 2 standbys per roster (28 days) and often called out. Average between 130 and 160 duty hours per roster. Perhaps 4 or 5 overnights per roster for Nelson base (most other bases don't do overnights). Salary about $45 on new type if you have all ATPLs, plus 7% super. 30 days leave. Free loss of licence cover. Air New Zealand staff travel priveleges.
At the moment about 2 years to a command if you are prepared to relocate, although a couple of years it would take 5 or 6 years before a command came up.
Company is well sorted - equipment is well maintained, reasonably well crewed, you turn up, fly and go home with no hassles. Flying is varied. Current bases are Nelson (no more crew will be based there), Wellington, New Plymouth, Napier, Tauranga and Auckland. Talk of a Hamilton base next year.
Hope this helps.