I'd give serious consideration to Canterbury Aero Club, you'll be training at an International Airport with satellite fields within 10 mins flying time plus if you want to progress to CPL they have the international training academy.Large fleet of quality aircraft, like most places some of the instructors aren't old and crusty but their senior instructors are as good as any.
No shortage of brits around here & not much wrong with the Christchurch night life either
Have a look here
http://www.cac.co.nz
http://www.flighttraining.co.nz