Agree, my NZ destination from DXB is CHC and know this would never be direct to DXB as always as you say a lot get of at SYD. I had also seen that QATAR are in talks with AKL about right to fly to NZ and wondered if this were to happen would give EK a push to implement a direct flight? Would def fly to Akl if that was the case then grab the quick flight to CHC.