Oh great stuff :D I used to show pedigree rabbits for rather a number of years (gave up when I got pregnant just over 5 years ago), bred and showed Dutch, Flemish Giant, and Standard Rex... and went into a syndicate to import Mini Rex into the country.... aswell as exported some pedigree stock that I bred overseas. Maybe the Rabbit Council of NZ could give you some tips on making a go of it? Are you affiliated with them as yet? I used to travel to Auckland once or twice a month for showing... However, we ended up running one of our own here in HB as a one off and it was really successful, and we had a heap of backing, best bet is to go for as much sponsorship as you can... We got sponsoring from more than we imagined... even pet product wholesalers...
So glad to hear you guys are really going to make a go of it in having more of a central based Club etc