Another example of Air NZ not really giving a stuff about status pax........

Before someone bites- this isn't a 'sense of entitlement' thing - it's an 'offer a service and provide it thing'.

Priority Baggage Handling
Premium Check-in Desk Access
Koru Club Access

All of these things are offered by Air NZ to status holders and Koru Club Members as a product that you pay for (by cash or loyalty) and are thus entitled to.

Frankly, I no status pax bag should ever be off-loaded until all non status pax options have been considered first as those bags are supposed to have 'priority'. If you don't intend to treat them with priority - don't tag them!