The RNZAF have great pilots. As much as I love the Aus Army Avo's they could take a lesson from our cross Tasman cousins. Your helicopter pilots have also proved themselves over and over again to the Aussies with some brilliant low level flying on Ex Tasres and in Timor.
I agree, they were brilliant in Timor and certainly more reliable than our own.
I Don't really want to debate the RNZAF fast jet thing, I have my own opinions but its not up to me so there is no point.
I was lucky enough to see the A-4s regularly during my time in the ADF and growing up on the NSW south coast, both in RAN and RNZAF service. It is a shame to see them end up in this predicarment. I hope they are disarmed and placed in museums as soon as possible. I would hate to see them end up like the RANs Trackers, remember the mooted sale to Brazil (I think)? They ended up rotting for years in the open at Nowra.