I'm going to work in New Zealand for 1year from the UK and wish to buy a laptop to take with me. Due to different power supplies, can anyone suggest a make and model that would be suitable. I have tried e-mailing different companies and so far have only heard back from Compaq who suggested their Armada range, as it has "a power sensor" and world wide warranty. Is this the best? TIA

Most laptop power supplies are automatically switchable between 110/220-240v AC. Check with the manufacturer, though.
Saying that, I don't know what kind of currency NZ has coming out of its wall. I've got a feeling that it's direct current (DC) in which case your power supply probably won't work -- can anybody else advise here?
It's not a huge trouble. Once you land in NZ, head off to your nearest computer supplies shop with your notebook and buy a power supply for it (or if you stop over in Hong Kong/Singapore, try there). Hopefully your notebook should just have one of the standard jack adaptors and NOT one of the esoteric adaptors that Dell and Gateway notebooks seem to use nowadays (and that some subnotebooks use).

Yes, most power supplies are auto sensing & have no trouble with NZ's 240V 50Hz power supply. Check local NZ prices Eg www.Dell.com.nz as we are very competive and with the favourable exchange rate you may want to buy a notebook locally. Regards