In my case earlier dates isn't an option. I may have to book Jetstar as my contingency (NZ being separate ticket to international on another airline).

Agreed, there is much discussion of what they already get but not of how they get it.
The numbers mentioned appear attractive, however this is a skilled trade and these incomes are now unheard of in similar fields.
The work done is often out of hours, weekends, public holidays and on call (the most hated work condition to many).
The skills are internationally transferable and international rates of pay have to be considered (just like a CEO compares their own remuneration to some other CEO in the US).
Only those at the table really know the score, if the engineers are being greedy or management too stingy.
Hopefully this will be resolved soon so people can be where they need to be.

Possibly not relevant but reminds me of a quote, "you think hiring a good tech is expensive, try hiring a cheap one!"

Part of the problem is the high 'progressive' income tax. Whatever hourly premium the airline is offering is wiped or significantly reduced once you take into account, the overtime is mostly likely taxed at the highest income tax bracket. Workers may value their time over incremental net pay. I don't see this left-wing union friendly government reducing income taxes or adjusting the income tax bracket creep in a hurry.

You may be correct and they may be deserving, I have no idea. But the tactics being employed by the union are IMO appalling, and do them no credit. This is not a group of working class people hard up before Xmas. However, many of the people affected will be, saving up for flights to see their families at Xmas etc. They are not like many of us on this forum who have options, like booking flexidates etc . The optics are not in the Union's favour here. And if there is a strike and the government does not say anything, I can't see them coming out of this smelling like roses either.

High progressive income tax? In New Zealand?

Really guys? Is this thread going to turn into a political debate? On an airline forum?

Now I've had a chance to look at the limited options with my lack of flexibility I've bitten the bullet and rebooked on JQ. I can't afford to miss my international flight and JQ flights are fairly full so waiting until I know for sure there is a strike may be too late. I even looked into openjaw via Australia on QF but the JQ option was better for me.

So 1 booking down for NZ already. If strike dates extend over Christmas period then I'll have other NZ bookings to look at replacing.

Does anyone know which airlines use NZ engineers? I'm flying UA AKL-SFO and wondered if it'd be affected if the strike moves ahead.

The intended strike is specific to Air NZ flights as far as I can tell, so other carriers that 'buy' services from Air NZ engineering would, I presume, continue unaffected.

Caveat: my presumptions have been wrong before.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/378052/air-nz-engineers-vote-to-strike-for-three-days-next-week

3 days of strike: 21-23 Dec inclusive
 

Well, that raises the ante! How many affected pax in total on 21, 22 and 23 Dec will now be affected?

This will also seriously stress NZ’s ability to try and move pax to alternate days

What a miserable bunch...I respect their ability to strike, but for the unions to jeopardise peoples plans around Christmas is truly abhorrent. These aren't employees who are treated poorly our paid poorly either, how many other companies give all their staff bonuses? If they feel so aggrieved, maybe they should see how green the grass is on the other side at say Jetstar? Whilst I am "lucky" to have the flexibility that I don't need to be at a wedding, graduation etc., the grandparents who see my daughter 2-3 times a year stand to be deprived of a few days with her, they probably aren't as relaxed as me about it.

Correct, the turboprop engineers are not striking