Take this as a grain of salt, but it is hearsay.
Before you apply to Air NZ link, if you have a goal to get into Air NZ Jet, the link operation will not be the best option.
Although the official line is that the Jet fleet prefer to take link pilots, there is always a clear preference to take people from outside the group. It does make sense, it is cheaper to take them from outside.
There are significant numbers of link pilots heading for other jet operators and from what I have heard, morale in the link operation is going downhill fast.