Tay,
You obviously never read any of my posts about that sorry saga.
Anyway the point is Branson is only interested in two things, making MONEY and having a go at the establishment despite his noble speechs about giving the public a better deal.
On SYD-AKL they know they can't undercut anyone, at the moment you can go on emirates for $399 return with all the trimmings they provide.
The reason they are basing themselves in CHC is simple "money" the rentals are cheaper,the council has coughed up some advertising money,etc and he knows he's only up againist 2 operators.
Another point, we aren't "being" propped up by the tax payer we "were" propped up and since then have been standing on our own feet and doing quite nicely. What people have to realise is that AirNZ is very different now too when it was under BIL.