In December 1977 the NZ hourly hire rates where I learnt to fly were - C152 $24; C172 $28.50; C206 $46; PA39 $62.
If I remember correctly, my weekly take home pay was $125.
When I left NZ just 5 years later, in 1982, the rates had soared to - C152 $49.55; C172 $59.10; C206 $101.40; PA39 $136.80.
When I was looking around in 1977, one club was advertising a PPL for $1,287.50, based on average required hours. Another had a Victa 100 for $18/hr, a PA18/150 for $22/hr & a Maule for $30/hr.
These days, you would struggle to find any of these types to hire, except of course, for the 172.