Make sure you carefully check the regs, New Zealand is currently only allowing returning residents to enter New Zealand. "
No other foreign traveller can enter New Zealand" Emphasis is theirs.
See
https://covid19.govt.nz/government-actions/travel/
it, of course, can change by your departure date but as you noted there are currently no places to stop in the
south pacific.
Eric
Currently NZ (they didn't toss us out...)