Yeah, it is longer, but my current on-hold itinerary has a 4.5h SYD layover and a 5hr HNL layover, so total travel time from departure in CHC to arrival in DFW is slightly over 31 hours.
If I decide to drive through the north island and depart from AKL the total time via HKG/LAX is 33h, via SCL 29.5h and via MEL/LAX 25.5h. Of course, all of those assume I can get J availability on the most direct flight and best connections that I found on the OW timetable.
Obviously departing from CHC vs AKL is a big difference and would impact my land itinerary -- so we shall see.