Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - One way travel in and out of NZ questions

Hi all,

A few questions for my upcoming trip to New Zealand and Australia.

My international ticket on KLM and partners goes into CHC and out of SYD. I plan to spend 6-8 weeks in the south island, 2-4 weeks in the north island and another 4-6 weeks in Australia. All the travel between CHC and SYD will be sort of last minute, or up to 14 days in advance booking.

Now, several sources including the NZ govt site mention that one-way travel into New Zealand if forbidden for foreign nationals and this is verified before you board the plane to CHC.

I'm looking for the best way to bypass this. 3 options come to my mind:
1. Buy a fully refundable ticket on Qantas or Air NZ from AKL to MEL (my preferred 1st destination in Australia).
2. Buy a changable ticket on the same route (EK has a special offer here).
3. But a cheapy ticket and pay the penalty if needed to change the date.

Option 3 runs at about 120 NZD with a 100 NZD change fee plus fare difference. Option 2 runs at about 250NZD on EK.

Any opinions? - what is the price range for a last minute fare on this route around mid to end April?

In Australia, I plan the following itin of flights:

Adelaide - Alice Springs
Alice Springs - Brisbane/Gold Coast
Cairns - Sydney

What should be the best way to get the tickets - in advance, get some sort of a pass or last minute (again - dates should be flexible)?

Thanks in advance,

Offir

Its not one-way thats forbidden, just need a ticket for leaving the country. If your rough itin is fairly sure then I'd book a ticket AKL-MEL or AKL-SYD that is flexible enough to allow date changes. Alternatively book a fully refundable ticket (to anywhere) and refund it once you're in NZ.

Note there is more competition on AKL-SYD than any other route in this part of the world, so that may be better than AKL-MEL.