Despite what our CAA rules state, you?ll struggle to find somewhere who will rent you an aircraft without a comprehensive check flight syllabus. Its probably not worth getting your foreign license validated and going through the process for the short period of time you?ll be here. You won?t have problems getting ?dual? though.
If you?re in Wellington, probably the best place to try would be Wellington Aero Club. The have 172?s, various Pipers, and a CJ6A if you want some radial time. It?s a great location to fly from, plenty to see an hours flight time from the airport. If you?ve got the time, drive (or fly!) over to Masterton airport and have a look around, lots of interesting WW1 stuff there.
If you find yourself in the top of the South Island, I?m in Nelson, and would happily take you for a flight around the area.. and Omaka airfield is near by, with a busy warbird scene.
Feel free to email me if you want any tips on Wellington or NZ travel in general.
Hugh-Thomson at hotmail dot com.
Cheers,
Hugh