PM - interesting points.
Much as we all love manned fast jets, it would seem hard to make a logical case for the RNZAF to have them at the moment.
Not sure what drove the choice of the T6 in particular.
As a civillian, I've often thought the RNZAF's major roles seem to be maritime patrol/interdiction, SAR and long range transport.
Hypothetically if it ever got involved in some kind of modern shooting war, perhaps it would be some kind of air-sea battle scenario; holding an adversary at bay over large stretches of ocean.
I suspect that as unmanned technology develops, and UAV's and UCAVs evolve, get cheaper and better, the RNZAF may once again get teeth.
But I suspect that 20 years from now, the jets and MPAs may all be being flown remotely from Ohakea.