I grabbed a Hearty Rise Stalker (the 8ft one) from Greg for heavier soft baiting - lovely rod. Not well known in NZ, but great components etc.
If he's got a 9ft, I'd recommend it.
There have been previous threads on here about the dearth of 9ft light lure casting rods in NZ, compared to Australia where shore-based lure fishing is much more common (using metals and bibbed minnows in particular).
When I was over there in May I picked up a Shimano Raider 4pc 9ft 'Shore spin' which has the lure range you're after.
It's a range we don't get in NZ. Seems like good value for the price A$125 and is handy for travel.
https://www.anglerswarehouse.com.au/product_detail.asp?productnospaces=shimano_raider_travel_904_shore_spin_rod_14637
If buying from here, shipping is about $20 (and you save 10% off the retail price because you don't pay Aust GST).
They had a Daiwa in store as well, but it was a bit pricey for what I wanted as a knock about rod.
I think they've recently brought out a new Demon Blood over there which is in the size range you're looking at?