Nobody gets "shipped off" to anywhere.
Candidates are asked to indicate their preferred bases and not to say they will go somewhere if that somewhere is a place they really don't want to be.
People have indicated they don't want to go to NZ and would prefer to wait for an Oz base, understanding that choice may delay their entry into the airline as Oz bases don't come around all that often.
Others have indicated they will go anywhere just to get a foot in the door.
Freezes on transfers are made very very clear.
Once again, as has already been suggested, make sure you have considered and understand the full implications of accepting a position here if your initial basing is not in your preferred location.
bolthead, all newbies will have a lower group date of joining number than the ATR pilots and as such, will have to wait longer for their shot at command. I joined in 2011 and a command is still a very long time away, so that might put in perspective the time frames new hires, and even current ATR pilots could expect.