Shareholder, I used to fly LAX-SYD often with NZ when they still did this route. I also used to go with them to NRT via AKL on a somewhat regular basis.

I found their product to be excellent in both J and Y despite the equipment being a bit dated.

Lately (this year), I confess I have only flown them trans tasman. I still found them to be just fine.

Is it possible you had a bad experience in NZ first lately that may just have been a fluke?

MCM.