Originally Posted by
sbiddle
OP still needs to clear transit security.
Remember that very significant numbers of people connect through to IAH from Australia - in some cases over 30% of the flight. Many of these will be connecting with around 60 mins to 90 mins tops from Australia.
That is true but transit security is nowhere near as bad as needing to clear actual, proper security!
1 hour is plenty and yes: as you said, with so many PAX making the transit, Air NZ is hardly going to take off without them.
NOTE Melia that when I check in at AKL for my USA flights if I'm in J (or I have access to the priority check-in area through other means) I can get a little sticker on my passport which expedites the annoying (and I agree... what feels like is pretty much pointless) interview. In AKL you can take it in-advance in the check-in area. You may be able to do something similar in Australia or the like - definitely talk to the staff about your options when there.