Off to NZ in a weeks time to,give the 2012 WK Grand Cherokee diesel a run,at last.! Been driven every two months so fingers crossed nothing goes pear shaped.$2.90 diesel but at least distances traveled not huge! And yes Drover when govts sell critical infrastructure ,assets etc to private companies this what can happen.California sold its complete power network including dams about 20 years ago ,guess what massive price hikes ,C Govt couldnt afford to buy power ,blackouts etc end result.and in the end had to buy back the infrastructure !
Have a great time and safe trip over there, I wish I could go as well, a few train rides I would look to do on the South Island.