Okay, the fuel surcharge definitely makes a difference. I do actually have the breakdown of taxes (it's on the bottom of my etkt receipt) -- I'm sure I've seen a site to translate them into English ;-) - does anyone know the one I mean?

thanks for all the replies, and I did know about the NZ$25 fee to leave AKL; now if only they could get LHR up to AKL standards for the same amount of money...