But isn't the OP talking about Australia? I have a bloke with a PPL training with me in prep for an AFR who hasn't flown for 22 years. Far as I can see he only has to pass the AFR IAW with the Aussie Part 61 and he is good to go. (AFR being what you folk across the Tasman call a BFR). No written test of any description.
Does an Aussie AFR pass the muster for a BFR in NZ? I dunno.