Hence my original thoughts (maybe right, maybe wrong) but as soon as you hit any VIN that isn't in the 'Aussie Range' the flags go up at the DMV, well, over here in WA anyway.
I dunno about the Kiwi post '98 shorties, maybe easier, maybe not but the GQ's were relatively easy esp if you owned them pre-import so didn't have duties to pay etc.
I do know it is easier, much easier, getting OS model imports into NZ as the BIL family is a mob of car nuts and have had some bonzer units over the years