If it were me I'd get myself in the neighbourhood while I could. But that's me. I think PacBlue is probably a pretty good place to be for now, and if you want to get into Air NZ then, to paraphrase Air NZ, being there is everything.

Get down here and get to know some of the people. Air NZ will hire a whack of people in the future, it just won't be this year.

David Morgan is an excellent guy and has spoken to me about trying to source talent from other areas, who of course have the ability to live in NZ and come with the requisite time. As far as I know they are still concerned about their down stream crewing requirements, so keep on them.

I don't think you'd be rushing thing's if this is what you eventually want. I love living in NZ, as a Canadian who doesn't much care for the cold that's an easy one though.

That all said, I do like Texas.

Good luck with it and let me know when you get to Godzone. I'm in AKL for day's off for a about a third of the month, so easy enough to have a beer and a chat.