They sound to be some good flights.
There would be a big difference between flying around the North Island and many of the areas in the South Island.
Having a row of mountains running up the spine of the Island does make a big difference.
Navigation, wind and weather would normally require much more care and thought generally.
I have flown for a couple of commercial operators in the South Island where we park the aircraft when the wind comes from certain directions. Mechanical turbulence will be there and it hurts..