Pricey!
Groceries more expensive than in Oz. Petrol is over $2 per litre. OK if you are coming from Australia on holiday with favourable exchange rate. Beer seems cheaper than in Oz which is always a positive. Eating out seems a bit expensive when I do my exchange rate conversion.
I don't know how much they pay in the Kiwi airforce, but I think a lot less than in the RAAF.
Real estate: Ludicrous prices in Auckland in Wellington, reasonable elsewhere.
But having been there many times visiting in laws, seems a great place to live.