If you get up to Auckland check out Epic Brewing. I met the brewer in Yakima a couple of weeks ago, he's a nice guy. He knows a lot about hops, so I'd be interested to hear what you think of his hoppy beers.
I only passed through Auckland via the airport, but during my "research" in Wellington I had a half-pint of Epic Armageddon, and absolutely loved it. A highly drinkable beer, not harsh at all, just really tasty in a fragrant, hop-dominant, mouth-filling way. I've wanted to taste Epic ever since I began seeing them at a local market, but at $9 a bottle (!) just had a hard time doing it. If I ever find this on tap again, I'll have another! Oh, and it clearly wasn't trying to be a "West Coast" beer -- just its own hoppy self.