Originally Posted by sbiddle

There is nothing in the health order that says the test has to be performed in Australia It simply says at check-in in Australia you have to present proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72hrs prior of travel.

As cheeky as it is (and I'm sure you're going to get ... responses from airline staff and do run the risk of not being allowed on the plane so I obviously don't recommend doing it) there is nothing legally that prevents getting a negative PCR test in NZ before travel and presenting that, providing the test was taken within the 72hrs prior to your scheduled departure time from Australia.