VARIG's ff-program online info is not up to date (no mentioning of Ansett and Air New Zealand as new StarAlliance partners), but at
http://www.varig.com.br/english/rgfop4-p.htm
it is clearly stated:
As a Smiles Member you can also accrue miles on all flights of the companies of the Star Alliance
as long as your transpacific-flight is not earlier or later than 30 days away those paid inner Nez Zealand - Australia flights should and (... if you find a well informed VARIG person ...) will be credited (as base miles
and as status miles).