Does the salary include any benefits you'll get? I would have thought on $1200 a week you'd struggle unless you live out in the wops, and if your partner's working in Milford you'll end up spending a lot on travel.
Salaries for airline staff are low. If you're a hostie then $40k is probably realistic + per diems. If you've got 5+ years then you might get up to $60k. More info here:
http://www.careers.govt.nz/jobs/tran.../about-the-job
One of you is going to have to travel anyway, because the airport is nowhere near Milford.