If AKL based I’d have dumped AirNZ ages ago! Indeed I only effectively starting pursuing Airpoints in 2021, and went from ‘Member to Gold Elite in 9 months over 2022. I’d been living/working overseas on and off, and other programs presented much better value (for me). I’ve been flying THAI reasonably often for over 30 years, and appreciated *G status lasting for 2 years - which suited the ebbs and flows of work and leisure travel.

These days almost all travel is personally funded, and now permanently living in NZ. As a a GE I’ll stay with the program for now, but suspect I’ll strictly be a value traveller in a few years’ time - by then I’ll be very price sensitive.

Regarding JQ, yes you can earn Status Credits with certain fares. And QF is acceptable TT from ZQN/CHC/WLG.