I would try and get AKL-YVR-YYZ if possible, with Signature Class on the domestic flights. Avoid anything that involves clearing customs at YYZ.

You wouldn't have to clear US CBP but here are my two highly personal reasons:

1) The Singature room in YVR is amazing.

2) Highly personal but US pilots tend to keep the fasten seatbelt sign on way longer than non- US pilots forgot reason at all. I can never understand that.