Thanks. So that I presume suggests if I go the pci-e route I should aim to buy from NZ, while the m2 route could be NZ AU US...

The PCIe card will just be a m.2 on a carrier board with a pretty heatsink stuck on it to hide what it really is. They are relying on the FCC and CE etc approvals of the m.2 card to not have to do any of their own work getting approvals and noone makes a m.2 card for only some countries. Its devices that roll their own wifi connection that has problems with bands like wifi speakers etc where they have to do the whole test process.

Ok, thanks, thats good to know.

rb99: I've always preferred ethernet, but do you think that still applies today with mesh systems and access points and things like that (again I'm not a gamer...) 

Given you are content to drop $100 on this experiment, I say go for it! Doing it is the best way to learn it. You can change back to Ethernet anytime you want so at the worst you loose $100. Equally, hard wiring in a few Ethernet ports could be a satisfying way to spend your Saturday :-) 

Mesh is great if there is no other option. Provided it is a wired system they can even increase total wireless bandwidth in the house.

But just be aware that while a wireless mesh systems gives better signal strength it isn't without compromise - and that that is that they can steal halve of your bandwidth.  Mesh systems (that are not dual band or linked via Ethernet), relay/repeat your data to the AP by storing and forwarding. (Think Chinese whispers). This means it takes twice as long to get the data through (it has to be transmitted twice and received twice) and that halves the total data you can push through (downloads can take twice as long etc). This can be an acceptable price to pay to get coverage in a black spot, but may not be a good substitute for Ethernet. 

Another thing to remember with wireless is that it isn't stable and predictable like Ethernet. You don't own or control the radio spectrum. While wireless can perform satisfactorily today, tomorrow your neighbours can install their own mesh system(s), or add 6 town-houses complete with 6 AP's and 6 Mesh systems, or simply add a HDMI video sender, which can all negatively impact your network performance.  

Yep, I'm going to have a go with this -

https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B088M5CK5K?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

which despite the weird description has the correct photos, seeing as I finally looked inside my PC case and all the pci slots are being used.

Unlikely that photos are correct. Item was first available in May 2020 so not likely to be a Wifi 6 device.

Dare I say incorrectamundo ?

It just turned up and as per illustrated, if not described - AX210NGW card, aerials, skinny wires, etc. Hope it actually works OK, apparently swearing is part of the requirement to attach the wires to the card. Am sure I'll put it off and put it off...

rb99:

 

Yep, I'm going to have a go with this -

 

https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B088M5CK5K?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

 

which despite the weird description has the correct photos, seeing as I finally looked inside my PC case and all the pci slots are being used.

 

Doesnt even say what card you are getting and that is a rip for a kit like that.

I got the m2 card it shows in the pictures.

Guess its expensive but I've had a bit much lately of waiting months for stuff to arrive, so I went for something that took 5 days.