Since your flight from AKL-PPT is at 3pm the next day, I assume you are booking at hotel in AKL?

You best option could be to book the Novotel at the airport, it’s 2-3 walk from arrivals. You could then go over to the hotel, get checked in settled in.

Then when your wife’s flight arrives, walk over to the arrivals hall and meet her there.

With no checks bags, and nothing to to declare (and sitting towards the front). You can be out of the airport in around 20min at that time of the night.