So finally got my itinery sorted and now all paid up and ticketed this morning, all communication was through NZ's centre in Hong Kong using email. They were pretty good w.r.t. the rules and routings so was pretty easy to book.
finally settled for HKG-AKL-SYD-AKL-CHC-AKL-BNE-AKL-WLG-AKL-LAX-LHR-HKG. Went over the 29k miles so paid for another 1500 and the routing suits the little time i have except for my time in the UK. All flights are on NZ metal and therefore maximise my airpoints accrual and will get me to *Gold Elite.
transit through akl gives me the 777 and 747 flights to Oz rather than the A320's from chc and wlg, also get a few more airpoints for the domestic connections.
pleased as punch, just have to wait until april to start it!
dj

PS - thanks to all that have helped and posted info on this great product sadly drawing to a close today...