With regard to UE equivalency standard using ATPL's.
You have to read the full chapter as a ATPL doesn't meet the equivalency test on its own.
If you have failed one theory subject twice or more, or you've failed more than 2 theory subjects just once; or, you fail a flight test twice, you fail the equivalency test. I believe the take into account the CPL/IFR exams/flight tests as well.
So you can still have an ATPL but with several attempts at exams and flight tests before issue and therefore not meet AirNZ's requirements.
Disclaimer: I'm not 100% on the above but pretty close in sure. Look up the AirNZ recruitment site for the latest.
S2k