Oceania (Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific) - Tonga & Samoa

While spending a year in New Zealand I want to make sure I visit Tonga & Samoa before I leave the region.

Can anyone advise what sort of deals are there to be had to these destinations? Since I started keeping track of the fares, the lowest I've seen was $400 with Air New Zealand... (Auckland to Apia or Nuku'alofa) seems a bit pricey for a bare flight, carry-on luggage, no point earning ticket. I paid $500 to go to Malaysia, so I'd rather spend less on a flight that is less than half the distance away (I know that's not how it works, but still...)


Its my understanding there's no way to get between the islands by air on the cheap? So I will make two separate trips, maybe off-season will be cheaper. Going via Fiji seemed like a good idea, but prices are cheaper to come back to Auckland.

If you guys can share any experiences I'd certainly appreciate it.

Cheers!
--Russ

PS. what are the extra fees involved... like departure taxes to be paid in cash at the airport, etc.

That's a cheap airfare, often it is more than that :)
I visited Pago Pago many years ago, and haven't felt the desire to be back. Expensive for what you get, not that interesting, and not easy to travel. Fiji is better/cheaper, for example.

What time of the year, do you want to travel? Winter is peak travel time.

You could try Virgin Australia, they tend to be a little bit cheaper than NZ on the Pacific Island routes. They just lack the frequency & level of service NZ does.

Sadly the $350-400ow fares to the Island's is pretty much normal. The cost bass on these routes is very high.