Originally Posted by Kiwi Flyer

Yes just transfer. The only way to avoid in this case is use Austrian's through flight VIE to SYD/MEL (without stopover in SIN/KUL only transit), or NZ's through flight LHR to AKL (again without stopover in LAX only transit).

NZ also has some through flight numbers to Australia (one flight number but connecting service to the LHR-AKL direct flight).

From June 10th, none of these options has First class.