Based on my experience looking for properties similar to what you describe
... you're basically correct. You're not going to find European type villages in NZ. The settlement pattern in NZ is much more dispersed, and in town that are thriving, the trend is to subdivide what were originally quarter acre sections, resulting in increasingly fewer lots over 1000 sq m and many much smaller. If you go to a place where population isn't growing, or is declining, you'll find residences in town or within walking distance, that have 2000 m2 to a hectare or two because infill isn't happening, and the old timers liked to keep a few livestock and have a bit of orchard and veggie garden. You CAN find such larger sections in thriving areas, but they are few and far between, and the prices reflect the land value if subdivided...ie., typically well over $1M.
Most places sold as lifestyle properties are at least a few km from town, often 10s of km out.
You will also find that old time houses are poorly insulated and often rely on wood heat. Kiwis tend to be cold hardy.
I spent a lot of time looking and ended up in a 100 yr old house in town on an unusually large lot. This winter I've been COLD. Look forward to building a new place with sub-floor heating, passive solar orientation, and double pane windows.