Cfin,
First off Welcome
I have done a lot of research one New Zealand in the last year. In my digging around I have found a few companys that I am sure you are already aware of.
Total CNC
is a dealer for Kitamura which has a great reputation. They have a office in Christchurch and Auckland.
Then you have
Global They carry Matsurra and Nakamura which are unbeatable in Any country. They also have the worst web site on the internet with 0.0 clickable links
CNC Machine Tools carries the Hardinge / Bridgport line and they have really come a long way as very nice VMC's
I could have sworn that Makino had a office in NZ but I can seem to find it. They may service out of Aus.
What I remember is most things tool and cnc were out of Auckland.
The area we are looking at is in the West Coast region. A little scary to be that far away from...anything
What area do you call home?
Gary