If you wish to ride at any kind of season of the year with out weather problem, you can ride at my country, Israel.
Our winter is less than Europe Autumn, and the desert is dry place most of the year.
Israel is a paradise for MTB riding all year.
We very developed in MTB and all the stuff around. Good maps, good place for accommodation, good food, supporting and more. God trails from XC to AM and FR
You can ride off road for few weeks from North to South and pass more than one climate zone: woods at north up to desert at the south. Zimmers to stay,
Because you from New Zealand, ever green land, the desert landscape will attractive to you.
Wish you lack
Aharon