24 hour visa free

Indeed, your husband can enter China absolutely visa free, so his situation is not problematic at all.

As far you are concerned, you have right to travel via China using 24 hour visa free transit without holding any kind of visa. So, the first thing you should calculate is your entire transit time in China and that time is counted from your scheduled arrival until your scheduled departure. If that time is shorter or equal to 24 hours, you do not need any kind of visa. However, if your total transit time, counted as I have explained, you will have to obtain a Chinese visa before your travel.

Assuming that your layover will be shorter than 24 hours, you are fine and the first thing that you will do upon landing will be to approach 24/144 hour visa free transit counter where you will apply for a temporary entry permit to be allowed to exit the airport. This application is free of any charge and here you will present your flight itinerary (tickets) and your hotel booking. After a short check and with your husband that can enter China visa free, standing nearby, you will be granted a permit to exit the airport and to have a good night rest in the hotel of your choice.

When your temporary entry permit is granted, you will both proceed to the immigration and after that to your hotel or wherever you want until your departure flight to Auckland. Have a nice journey.