Originally Posted by kiwifrequentflyer

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.