Originally Posted by alto25
As a heads up NZ were quite militant in the enforcement of baggage restrictions (especially carry-ons) at check-in. All bags were being weighed for all passengers it seemed. My carry-on weighed 8 kg and I had to take out something to bring it down to 7kg. I took out a book and some notes and put them in my laptop bag which I managed to get away with them not re-weighing.
My checked bag was 17kg, but I also had a med suitcase sized box with an electronic sample in, that was 12kg. They wanted me to pay 12kg X $10 = $120 excess fee.
That seems very bizarre. I've personally never had a bad experience with NZ and overweight baggage, both with and without status. The only time I've paid excess is when I was 60KG over on a domestic run.
That said, you are entitled to 20KG AKL-SYD in economy, with as many pieces as you want. If you are *G (you don't say), you should get 40KG with as many pieces as you want... as far as I know/have seen, anyway.
Air NZ checked luggage allowance.
Were you checking in at the premium counter?