Hi SnappyPix - what a bummer about your lovely Litespeed! Your LBS ought to send it back to the manufacture, especially if it's new, for them to have a look at it.

About getting another bike - although you'll have the transportation costs etc I'd suggest getting another bike over here before you travel. For a start there's a much wider range over here, it's a lot easier to order a bike over from Europe, esp fancy rides like Pinnarello,Colnago, De Rosa ( if that's what you're in to ).

I've never actually been to New Zealand so I don't know any NZ land frame makers but I would guess the range would be less and you'd probably end up paying more for a bike that's been imported from elsewhere in the world.

You could also wow your new Kiwi cycling friends with a snazzy foreign bike all the way from the UK!