Am planning a trip to the US at beginning of next month for a few days. Was looking at business class fares and note that AKL - LAX - AKL is ~$8100 NZD.

Have colleagues travelling from Australia. Air NZ has a fare SYD-AKL-LAX return for ~$5300 AUD travelling same dates. Even Perth - AKL - LAX return is $6500 AUD business class on same dates.

So I guess another case of a monopoly and lets gouge the locals while discounts abound in a competitive market in Oz. Similar action in the regional NZ market.