I stand by my post. Forget the flying experience, I know of at least 3 that didn't have the minimum requirements regarding education. The same requirements that prevent some Eagle and Air Nelson people from getting an interview with Air NZ. And it doesn't make sense to say that there is no advantage in being employed by an Air NZ feeder in the first place. Normal airlines the world over with half a brain attempt to recruit from within.
If you remember at the time of Qantas NZ going broke Air NZ made a big thing of giving interviews to those now out of work. My point is that the recruitment appears mickey mouse when they hoist a bunch of requirements and then drop them at a moments notice. And those at Air NSN and Eagle want jobs with Air NZ - that's why many of the joined the regionals in the first place. I am sure if someone at Air NZ said "I know it's arse about face but join Qantas because thats where we'll be recruiting from" many more would have done so.