While trying to remain below the 22K mileage limit, visit NZ, and follow the routing rules is a bit of a challenge when starting from Ohio. cmh-ord-lax-akl-syd-nrt-ord-cmh can be done. Reverse direction is ok as well. However, the syd-nrt is overnight in both directions and no skybeds on that route. cmh-ord-hnl-syd-akl-lax-ord-cmh has the hnl-syd during the day which is not as bad. Can one include HNL as meeting the requirement to route via the central/north pacific? I was not sure whether the fare required visiting Asia at some point on the routing.

Other notes: the only AKL-Asia on OW is to HKG which exceeds the mileage limit. My relatives who would be flying are limited in time and want to spend most of the time in NZ, not on airplanes. Intend to check Air New Zealand as a possibility as well.