Yes, the hours will be recognised. However, when you transfer to a training school in (I presume) Ireland for a JAA PPL, they may consider that you need to fly further hours to be at the same stage (i.e. solo). The NZ PPL is not the same as a JAA PPL (although the helicopter doesn't know that!) and the training syllabus is different.
You will have to weigh up the cheaper hours in NZ against any re-training which may be required in Ireland.
Cheers
Whirls