As far as I am aware, there is no death or estate tax, full stop.
I've gone and got a huge warm and fuzzy feeling after you described NZ like that. I guess I am "used to it" which I better get back overseas for a while to get unused to it so I can appreciate it more

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and had the locals refuse to let me pay for a single Speight or Steiney.
I'm guessing they paid for your Steinlager then bought you Speights to stop you drinking any more Steinlager