It does sound completely overboard.
To have required him to sit an exam to demonstrate his knowledge of NZ practices and rules would have been reasonable -- After all, things are no doubt as different in NZ compared to The Netherlands as they are between England and the U.S.
But to require him go through an entire apprenticeship despite his numerous years of experience strikes me as being ridiculous.
Sounds like what in Britain would be a good candidate for a "Jobsworth" award. (From the type of official who says "More than my job's worth mate....")
