TNCM Holiday

Hey guys im looking for the cheapest price to get from Brisbane to St. Maarten, I have found 2 fares at the moment, 1 being the routing:

BNE-AKL-LAX-JFK-SXM
Travelling on Qantas and American Airlines!
RETURN PRICE: Approx. AUD$2850

The other one is travelling, Air New Zealand and Continental Airlines, im not sure of the route but im sure its something like BNE-AKL-LAX-Houston-SXM
RETURN PRICE: Approx. AUD$1985 – $3300(NOT SURE FORGET THE ACTUAL PRICE)

But if i could get a little advice on the price of flights and accomodation that would be awesome!!!

If i dont get to TNCM my other option is Nadi, Fiji but i would really like to go to TNCM as i have been to Nadi before!

THANKS