There is a lot of stuff that needs some thought (by the regulators in particular) posted here, but very little has been mentioned regarding night VFR and the way it is taught and regulated.
Whilst I cringe at the thought of it being handled (read: over regulated) the way it is in OZ, the techniques taught in NZ do NOT apply to x-country night VFR.
What is taught in NZ is extremely valuable, but strictly for use in KNOWN AREAS; not blasting off from A to B in the middle of the night, regardless of the weather.
Regulation in OZ is very appropriate when CRUISING IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE and approaching an UNKNOWN AIRFIELD, whilst NZ teaches very well how to fly REAL NIGHT VFR, BY LOOKING OUT THE FECKING WINDOW.
Why the hell you would want to fly from A to B VFR in the middle of the night still boggles me...............