I do need some info here too.

wornbook, did you say that we need around NZ$12,000 per annual just for living? How about the fee?

You should be able to. As long as you meet the minimum requirements. I know people who have applied using SAM and Australian Year 12.

SAT i dont know, why not SAM

BurgaFlippinMan,
I find NZ institutions often have difficulty converting foreign qualifications. That probably explains the somehwat inconsistent entry requirements, ie SAT I. IMO, if they accept STPM and A'levels, they really should be asking for SAT II. But that's an aside. In any case, I have a friend in AUT who got in with SAT I (and no SPM) so it shouldn't be a problem with Auckland U. They also accept SAM and CPU.

When did you email your enquiries? Make sure you email the international  office, not the faculty. It is a bit hard to get concrete information  when you have a unusual qualification (I've been there. They seem to think all Malaysians do STPM/UEC).

For architecture you'll need more than just SAT. They require a portfolio (examples of your work). It's pretty difficult to get into Auckland Uni's architecture course... a lot of people I know opt for Unitec (a polytech) cos Auckland Uni rejected them. Not sure how it works for international students though.