Further social media exchanges today.

NZ says that they can get me on my return flight BNE-WLG In late May as currently booked even though flights don’t show at present.

So the options presented are for this 2-night, seat-only, non-refundable (return) journey are;

Hold the $373 fare in credit; or
Cancel and refund just the taxes $200.

I asked for a refund of the taxes, which they have processed and should be credited with 15 working days.

In the ‘big picture’ I think this is a pragmatic outcome rather than attempting to argue the toss over a flight that is announced as suspended - but also which could operate in late May.

Time will tell if their statement is true or not. I have been cut some slack by AirNZ in the past and don’t begrudge them the $173 they get to keep.