ooh yes I can help :)
I feel so pleased to be able to impart my knowledge to you.
Rockpool Homeschool, often known as The Rockpool or TRP, is a wonderful forum for homeschoolers in Australia and New Zealand. Posters are predominantly from Aus, I have to admit, but a couple of the regular posters come from NZ.
I joined before I moved over to Australia and I have found them extremely helpful. In fact I check the forum nearly every day because there's a great community feel there, much like (parts of) mumsnet. I thoroughly recommend it.
As well as the Rockpool, here are some links re. home ed specifically in NZ (all from HomeHandyMum on the Rockpool):
New Zealand Home Education
home.school.nz/
My go-to site for clarifying the overall legal situation and for helping sort out how to write your Exemption Application. A great starting point.
National Council for Home Educators
www.nchenz.org.nz/
The small but active committee carries out ongoing liason with the Ministry of Education, so up-to-date info about recent legal issues can usually be found here.
They have good articles on things like access to tertiary study etc.
And they coordinate a 'School ID card' scheme for secondary-aged kids to get discounted bus-fares etc.
Also, their site has a list of contacts for a great many of the support groups throughout the country
www.nchenz.or...oss-the-nation/
Home Education Foundation
hef.org.nz/
Craig and Barbara Smith have years of experience of Home Education and advocating/mediating between the MOE and other home edders. They come from a Christian Home edder's perspective but have very helpful input and information for all.
Kiwi Kids Learn
kiwikidslearn.yolasite.com/
A recently launched magazine and website for kiwi home edders
The Broad Room
www.thebroadroom.co.nz/
NZ website with lots of helpful ideas and links for home edders.
That should give you a bit to be going on with!