Thanks.

I thought if I check in (get my BP @ AKL) they will link both my AKL-MEL and MEL-SYD bookings together and if the flight is late then the agent @ MEL will just automatically book me onto the next flight and an agent will wait at the gate on arrival and escort me from the plane through transit etc...

Oh sorry, I forgot I am on QF and not CX! So Does the above still apply?

I noted on BA if I checked in (on 2 seperated) to my final destination and for some reason if the flight was delay, they will automatically book me on the next flight.