A bit disgruntled with what I was seeing, decided to uninstall and reinstall VLC. Before executing the installer, I read the manual down and back so knew what to look for. Let me assure you that my install had no mention of any manual/auto install option, though it is well explained in the user manual. My only choices were the ticks on 'Milford Sound fix' and 'activate library' - both of which I ticked. All payware sceneries were disabled and this install the VECTOR LAND CLASS and VECTOR LAND CLASS_DTM were in the scenery library. In the following two screeshots, all other paysceneries were still inactive.
This is just southeast of NZQN with all VLC active in scenery library.

Same area with VECTOR LAND CLASS and VECTOR LAND CLASS-DTM both deactivated in scenery library.

Which is what I should be seeing - to me the one with the VLC inactive is more attractive - mainly the amount of texture.
This is just southeast of NZQN with all VLC active in scenery library.

Same area with VECTOR LAND CLASS and VECTOR LAND CLASS-DTM both deactivated in scenery library.

Which is what I should be seeing - to me the one with the VLC inactive is more attractive - mainly the amount of texture.
