Well my flight is booked & I'm very happy.
Heading out the 9th December on Singapore Airlines with a one day stopover in Singapore on my return to get a brief taste of the Orient, made no odds whether I stayed about 15 hours in Singapore or 2 hours since flights were leaving NZ at the same time. 15 hours should be time enough for a brief whizz through the city. Even though I booked so far ahead, people in the know that flights go up after the 9th for Xmas travel had swiped all the cheap seats, still I think I got a good deal.
Pax Vobiscum
Don't be envious, life is what you make it & I'll be far from living palatially over there. Go for it mate.
Thank you for all your advice.
P.S. I don't smoke.