FAA & NZ have it right. Light aircraft, privately flown, don't need a current database for safety reasons.
If ATC clear you for a STAR not in your database, decline it & use a different arrival. But if you stay away from major airports and exercise common sense, it's unlikely to happen. Remember, it's easy & free to print out current AIP plates for the few airfields you use as a private pilot, to guard against surprises mid-flight.
In Australia, it's my interpretation that a pilot must have a full current database, not just current with respect to the airfields you may use. I'm interested to hear that others have a different interpretation!