IAD - New Zealand: Award Ticket and Purchase

Hello,

I've been lurking in this forum for many years but rarely post. I've been doing some research before posting this and wanted to bounce around some ideas. My soon to be wife and I are planning our honeymoon to New Zealand (probably South Island) in February 2014. I think we will more than likely fly to Christchurch.

Here are my thoughts so far and would love input from the more experienced folks. This is all for Y (would love J but don't have the miles nor the bank account).

UAL
IAD-HNL (there is availability)
Saver Award x 2: 80,000 miles (I have the miles)

Air New Zealand
HNL-CHC $1130 per ticket (U.S. Dollars)

Auckland isn't that much cheaper at $980.

I also did a quick search and found Air Pacific IAD-CHT for $1888. It's through LAX and Fiji. Can't say I love that option.

I do like the first option because I can get some miles on the HNL-CHL leg and the fare doesn't seem too bad from HNL. I do understand that that flight is a few times a week and would need to time the IAD-HNL correctly.

I would appreciate your thoughts and thanks for reading.