Is $50/hr for full-time for up to a year good? I'm not sure what the typical contractor rates are in NZ. I've seen some numbers $50-$100K/year but I think contractors are paid more because it's considered "temp work."

After all the NZ taxes, the salary is equivalent to what I make in Canada and the cost of living is slightly lower here. It's really a quality of life decision I think... unless I can ask for a higher contract rate.