Ah, now I understand. The kind of car you're used to, for driving on the right of the road, where you change gears with your right hand, has the steering wheel on the left, so it's known as a left-hand-drive car.
I've no idea if you'd be allowed to sit the NZ driving test in one - let's hope Dawn will be able to say.
However, there aren't very many on the NZ roads, and (as I know from having driven right-hand-drive cars on the right in Europe) visibility is not as good and it makes things more difficult for overtaking. It's actually not too hard to get used to driving the other kind of vehicle - of the important controls, it's only the position of the gear lever and handbrake that are likely to be different. The pedals are worked the same, whichever side of the car they're on.
What about if you have a provisional licence from Australia (i.e you've passed the practical test, but have to be on graded P plates for three years)?
If you take your restricted in an automatic, you can only do your full in an automatic. You can only drive automatics.
If you do your restricted in a manual, you can do your full in either. If you choose automatic, you will only be able to drive automatics on a full licence, but manuals on a restricted.