I find it hard (read: impossible) to envision China going after either Australia or New Zealand or both.
...
I haven’t even heard of whiff of this in any reading I have done over the past several years.

I agree it is early days and Taiwan remains a primary objective, but my searching on all things New Zealand/Australia has led the search bot to send things to my attention that I would not normally have seen. It is clear to me that tensions are rising, particularly in New Zealand, over the actions of China. Though diplomatically presented, you can see some of those concerns here: nzsis.govt.nz - Nzsis shares more case studies in release of annual threat environment report

And here:

csis.org - New zealands wake call beijings reach reorienting wellingtons regional role

In late February, a Chinese navy task force transited the Tasman Sea and conducted live-fire exercises with no prenotification, causing some 50 commercial airlines to alter their flight routes to avoid becoming inadvertent targets. The week prior, the Cook Islands, a Pacific Island in free association with New Zealand, signed several agreements with China, including a wide-ranging Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

While the fire may not yet be visible, there sure is smoke building. I've read several other articles on beefs about trade that China has with NZ.

While it is early days, we are seeing world events move quickly these days. We are looking into NZ for more than a casual vacation, and looking down the road as far as we can. This repositioning cruise of life we are looking at is a one time deal and has to be done right. Too much is at stake to get it wrong.

IP