Hi,
I am newbie Beekeeper from Si NZ -close to Ashburton , about 4 hours drive from Wanaka. The good place is to contact New Zealand Beekeepers Association and get some contacts of local beekeepers.
I am just finishing a Beekeepers course via Agribusiness , good value for money, very practical. I think its run annually. The beekeeping in NZ is relatively low labour intensive -only one treatment 2 x yearly as compulsory and one compulsory
inspection for AFB(American Foul Brood)
Good luck with converting your brother!