The fact that the RNZAF pilots have low hours is not the real concern here.
My problem with these guys is that they are military pilots on military pay scales being used in a civilian work place. The RNZAF is paying Air NZ to train them and they are also paying their salaries.
Air NZ issued a statement a few days ago threatening to make pilots at Air Nsn and Eagle redundent because ATC towers were going to close for lunch. Both those airlines have the capacity to operate into uncontrolled airspace and do so at the moment. There was no need to make that threat unless Air NZ is looking for an excuse to reduce pilot numbers because they have just found a source of FREE RNZAF pilots.
For those of you that have gone overseas and been successful go on you. It is sad that that you struggle to return home and have your experience recognised but that is true of many other professions. Several of my friends outside of aviation did their OEs got great jobs that where very well paid. When they returned home the opportunities here were not the same and many left again.
In order for the oppurtunities in this country to be brought up to those available overseas we have to fight for better working conditions. If Air NZ are allowed to use RNZAF pilots that incur no cost to them then the pool of union pilots is reduced and negoiating for better conditions will become so much harder.