Welcome from New Zealand and congratulations :) I would definately get a machine. As the other ladies said, you don't need all the bells and whistles. I am still sewing on my Bernina Minimatic which I've had for 30 years, it has straight stitch, reverse, zig zag and a couple of fancy stitches which I never use, still sews like a dream.
My first completed quilt was all hand sewn but only because I didn't know any other way. My grandmother taught me the english piecing method so that's how it was done even the sashings :lol:
Make sure your first project is reasonably simple and not too big, cause there is nothing like the feeling of achievement you get from completeing your first project. Again welcome to the world of quilting, I'm sure you're going to have fun :)