Lots of retraining/sim time and musical seats to save a few allowances? Allowances arent type specific anyway are they?
They are saving on the running costs of the plane is the major objective, and salaries on those pilots that leave without pay too! Air NZ would have to abide by the union contracts. Don't forget that those pilots that take leave without pay still keep their seniority while gone!! At least one has requested 3yrs off.
If an Air NZ main pilot would post it would clear the matter up.
Different types do different length of sectors don't they, you do a 10-12hr flight, no official 'break' then overnight pay etc with just about every 747 flight on long haul, compare that to the allowances in your pay chq to doing the 767-A320-737, I would expect a difference?
As for the money Air NZ spends, you would be very surprised how many Australians are doing a commute (free) across the Tasman so as to work from Auckland (I'm talking about across the board, not just pilots)