You people are aware that container ships only take a few weeks to cross the pacific right? Hong Kong to NZ is only 21 days (would be a little less for Australia). 31 days Australia to USA with a stop in NZ. Around the world with 17 port stops is only 4 and a half months.
http://www.freighterexpeditions.com....m-australia-nz
Nearly all of your waiting time when you pick sea freight is done sitting on a dock waiting to be put aboard a ship.