If traveling from Auckland to Dubai (and onto Europe, connecting flight) would you recommend transiting through Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane.

Another vote for SYD.

Avoid SYDi.

MELi now has a very snazzy modern looking waiting lounge, just like CHCi.

I like BNE, smallish.  Compared to MEL, BNE is smallish.

I would recommend SYDi over BNEi in this case. BNEi has little F&B and R&R even in daylight, while SYDi has many more choices for the OP and their family to sit down, have a light meal and let the kids go on the WiFi and keep themselves occupied.

SYDi has enough to do on a short layover that it'll be bearable.

Think also which one gets to DXB first?

Does the AKL -> SYD EK flight the one that also calls into BKK?

If its AKL -> BNE -> DXB -> LHR, why not take that one?

EK413 (AKL-SYD-DXB) does NOT go via BKK, it's EK419 (CHC-SYD-BKK-DXB) that leaves SYD almost 2.5 hours before EK413 even lands.

All 3 flights (407/413/435) reach DXB between 5:20AM and 5:40AM, so litttle difference in terms of what happens there.

All three of the AKL flights are routed AKL-xxx-DXB with no omg o'clock Asian stop. Agreed with edy4eva that there is little difference.

Ta.  Expands my knowledge now too.

ok, thank you for your imput :)

Sorry, let me try that again: Ok, thank you for your input :)