Bruther, NZ is a frequent destination for me, touch wood, I regularly manage to find award seats.
As previously mentioned NZ has zero'd out award seats in it's premium cabins for long advance booking. However, log onto AP.com and do a search for flights within the next three weeks, you will see lots of seats.
Depending on the size of your AP balance, I would keep the AC 33 booking, check NZ availability closer to the time, grab NZ seats and dump AC. You will hopefully be in NZ's new premium cabin, the seating, service, smiles, schedules, food leave AC in the dust. If you get the old J cabin, the seat will not be as good as AC'S unless you manage to snag one of the old F seats.

Don't give up on an award ticket on NZ.