When did NZ "promise" that Y+ would be "25%... above DISCOUNT economy"??? I sure didn't hear that claim...

25 % above "Economy" yes..... which is quite accurate.. even if few would ever buy a full fare economy ticket!!

Trans Tasman is certainly weird as you have pointed out.... but for Transpac I'd suggest that BP is good value against UA's C class (natch!) and against QANTAS as well...

Lets have a look....

QF in J SYD-LAX lowest fare tonight $11734 (for travel in OCT... thought I'd make it an advance purchase..)

NZ.. same dates/route $10090.56.....

Both those straight off the respective websites.... seems a fair comparison to me!

Same dates SYD-HNL $9722!! Where did $3979 come from???

NZ same dates SYD-HNL $5960.66. Via AKL and AKL-HNL on a 763... which may be less desirable...

Where did those fares you are quoting come from????

The only China Airlines "$4000" fare I can find is $4199.. plus tax.. and only available Mid June to mid July.... and you have to fly via Taipei....

I can't see that as a fair comparison to the more-or-less direct SYD-AKL-LAX... "anytime" pricing...........Sorry...

As ajnz said.. I don't think this is an "apples to apples" comparison....