Racer - you may find that it is like going from SFO to Tahiti on an award. You need two: one from SFO to NZ, and another for NZ to Tahiti. BKK to SFO, SFO to SYD. ( Or LAX or whatever to the left coast.) I do not see any Star Alliance partners that fly from the BKK part of Asia directly to Sydney or NZ. Two awards. Betting on that.