Interesting question although I do not have an answer, sorry.

AirNZ has been very up-tight about bookings on TT with seat to suit. I have travelled back from SYD with 5 friends at July. I am on G and queue and did not bother to use the *A counter, coz the bookings are not tired in anyways to mine

They have upgraded me to a Works Deluxe seat (without request), from seat+bag fare (on a 772, not common for SYD), out of my 5 friends, 2 pair of couples with 1 seat and 1 seat + bag and the solo person is with a seat + bag.

Ground staff fails and refuse to check the couples together, arguing they are different products, and of coz there weren't any dramas with the seat + bag solo pax....

my friends were disappointed although it was only a 3 hr flight, but this shows how flexible they are!

to me, seat or seat+bag are the same. that is, no meals and the only difference is already recognised at check-in with a bag (or not)... so I would say good luck and there is no way they can mix a works and seat only booking together.... although you are on E