Air New Zealand Air Points - Cabin luggage on the little planes

What is the scoop about cabin luggage on some of the really little planes on internal flights? On my planned trip to NZ I have various flights booked such as DUD-CHC-NSN, NSN-WLG-NPE and TUO-AKL-KKE. There will be three of us with one standard suitcase each as hold luggage, but also at least one 41" L+H+W total dimensions piece of cabin luggage between us.

Now the AirNZ website states that cabin luggage of this size is allowed on AirNZ Link internal flights ..... but where exactly is it going? Some of these small planes do not actually have overhead lockers. Does 41" L+H+W size cabin luggage get loaded into the hold as you board the plane, or is it supposed to be checked in? (If so, are you allowed 1 item of ordinary checked hold luggage AND 1 item of checked "cabin" luggage per person?)

I think DUD-CHC and WLG-NPE are ATR? CHC-NSN, NSN-WLG either S340 or Q300. TUO-AKL and AKL-KKE either 1900D or J32.

The ATR does have overhead bin slightly smaller than 737. My small rollaboard fits these (just).

The S340 and Q300 have tiny overhead bins, only small enough for purse, small backpack. Underseat storage is also small. If flight is lightly loaded they may let you take larger item onboard and strap it into an empty seat.

1900D and J32 has no overhead bin and only tiny space underseat (one row not even that). Again if load is light you can put small bag on an empty seat, otherwise has to go in the back.

IIRC only the ATR (and possibly Q300 not sure) has a closet to put any bags that don't fit. So everything else goes in the hold. Since all a/c are boarded by stairs if your carryon is too big and not checked in already, you can get it added to the hold on boarding.

I've never had problem with 1 regular size + 1 small, but I imagine when flight is full with lots of luggage there may be an issue. 1 carry on between 3 is unlikely to pose a problem.

Does 41" L+H+W size cabin luggage get loaded into the hold as you board the plane, or is it supposed to be checked in? (If so, are you allowed 1 item of ordinary checked hold luggage AND 1 item of checked "cabin" luggage per person?)In practice you have this exactly right; the little planes can't fit cabin bags that size so you can check them for free instead. This isn't really a problem though - none of the big reasons you'd want to keep your cabin bag with you really apply on New Zealand domestic flights; things are extremely unlikely to get lost and the airports are so small they invariably come back out to you pretty fast too. I'd keep a laptop or camera on me just because they're fragile, but if you're really worried about not having your cabin bag with you at all times then you need to set the recline on your expectations to 'laid right back' for the duration of your time in NZ :D

In practice you have this exactly right; the little planes can't fit cabin bags that size so you can check them for free instead. This isn't really a problem though - none of the big reasons you'd want to keep your cabin bag with you really apply on New Zealand domestic flights; things are extremely unlikely to get lost and the airports are so small they invariably come back out to you pretty fast too. I'd keep a laptop or camera on me just because they're fragile, but if you're really worried about not having your cabin bag with you at all times then you need to set the recline on your expectations to 'laid right back' for the duration of your time in NZ :D

Don't worry, my expectations are quite horizontal! I was just concerned I would end up with a spare case and nowhere to put it.