If flying from USA to NZ then checking in at an offline port may not cause the lack of visa to be picked up. But it will be picked up at the online transit port. NZ require all non-NZ boarding passes to be reissued on NZ stock before they will allow you to board, as a way of confirming that the visa check has been done and the passenger is eligible to enter New Zealand. Immigration NZ will fine Air NZ if they carry someone who then has to be turned round at the border for improper documents.