I wouldn't get too obsessed about drag. A reel with max drag of 15kg sounds ideal, as you won't be using anywhere near that (in most situations). People land good kingies on reels with way less 'max drag' than 15kg. 

With the rod, if you're focused on stickbaiting, it's better to have a forgiving rod tip than stiff. Check that the Hyper isn't really a popper rod, which will have a much stiffer tip. Do a bit of research online on that aspect.

Having seen the results of some Aussies using Nomad stickbaits for GTs, I think they would be near the top of my list in terms of affordable plastic lures that are relatively easy to swim. I'm a fan of sinking stickbaits that you can get good action out of just with a bit of an erratic straight wind. Given what I experienced when living in Wellington, the seas are unlikely to be calm very often, and sinking stickbaits get you fishing effectively when it's frustrating to try to use a floating stickbait.