Multi stop flights from MAN to NZ via KL (Jan 2011)

sear

Hi all

I have search some info under 'NZ' thread but not found anything recent, hope you guys can help me out in finding flights - it's giving me a headache!

Basically:
Travellers : Myself + husband + 3 year old +1 year old toddler
Travel period: mid Jan 2011 to mid March 2011
Destination : Manchester to Gisbourne, New Zealand

Given that we are travelling with 2 young kids, possibly 4 stops involved (if not more!:() and my hometown is KL, I am very keen flying on the shortest route and a stoppover in KL. On the way back from NZ, I will be staying in KL for 2 months with kids whilst my hubby has to return for work.

I have been thrawling internet and found best deal is to fly:
Man - KUL return ; KLM, £640pp; £1,889 for family (roughly 16 hours each way)
KUL - AKL return ; Royal Brunei, £740pp , £2,220 for family (not really keen as stoppover is 7 hours!)

Grand total = eye watering £4,109 + local transfer

I would love to travel Malaysian AIrline as the flight time is shortest plus they fly direct from KUL to AKL but the cost is way too high (close to £5,500)

Does anybody has the same experience and what is your advise please? It seems like promotions at the moment for the likes of SIngapore Airline and Air New Zealand are only until Nov 2010 and not 2011 yet I have been patiently waiting for 2 months now but getting anxious as not sure if prices will hike up?

To add to complications I have to book different flights for my husband (as he ends the holiday earlier) and a separate flight for my mum who will be travelling back to UK with me ( I don;t think I can survive flying with 2 toddlers on my own):rotfl:

Any advise would be greatly appreciated! Thank you

Desperate mum

Caz3121

have a look on Kayak and select Multi trip - I put in some random dates for MAN-KUL-AKL-KUL-MAN and it came out at £1204 per person with Emirates the whole way MAN-DXB-KUL and KUL-MEL-AKL (same for return)

sear

Hi Caz3121

I have looked at Emirates website - for family travel it is £200 cheaper, the only downfall is the long stoppover in Melbourne (7 hours on both legs) and travelling in the wee hours 3am. Can't win!

Thanks for your time and advise. All other suggestions welcome!