Average retirements next 5 yrs, approx 20.2 per/yr, assuming all leave at 60 yr's (Yeh I know!!)
Think you will find a larger number of Regional FO's being interviewed than in the recent past, this is not a result of a shortage of Pilots, but a change of profile of prospective Pilots to allow a more broad weight for age selection. (so they dont end up with ALL new-hires, 40 years old and 15000 hrs)
The Interview process is very transparent, people will be selected from GA and Military on a, best Qualified basis, total hrs are just one part of the points Calculation.
Now is an extremely good time to be joining Air New Zealand