That NZ license system sounds more like LTC's license system
Here it's very simple. You do a theory test, which is just questions about road signs and stuff. Then you can go into the licensing centre, and get a provisional (called learners permit from this month on, actually). You have to have someone with a full license with you at all times if you're on a provisional car license. You can apply for a test as soon as you like. But there's a waiting list of about 6 months. Once you take the test, which is just a drive around town, if you pass, you're fully licensed.
However, the law is changing this month, and you now have a "restricted" license for your first year, regardless of provisional/full license. It basically mean that for your first year, you have to have someone over 21 who has a full license with you at all times, for a car license only. It's also planned to bring in the full NI restricted license system, which sucks the fun out of driving altogether