Hi Mish,
to NZ. What part of the country are you in ?
Sounds like you know what you are doing with the technical stuff which is a big help. I'm up in Auckland where the LP is probably worst but still workable. I have several sites around my house ( view direction dependent) and I did several solar noon lines and E-W 'T's for the EQ6 to sit on and an inclinometer to set the polar axis.
A wee tweak with drift align and I'm all good to go.
You are going to enjoy our southern skies when you get familiar with them. Plenty to see. Have fun and keep in touch on here, plenty of help and advice should you ever need it.
Cheers
Brent