As a follow up. None of two return North America sectors have posted to UA making the enteries as above. The UA programme is not with out problems.
Also noticed the following informaiton from on Wingtips today:
ISSUE 2378
ADDING FREQUENT FLYER DETAILS TO BOOKINGS
Air New Zealand wishes to remind agents to add only one frequent flyer number when making a booking. Please ensure you ask your clients which membership programme they wish to earn points on. If more than one frequent flyer number is added the system will automatically take the membership that comes alphabetically first.