Hi Ryan, welcome.   

There are not very many junk rigged boats in New Zealand and of those, I think Footprints, J&B, La Chica and Zebedee are the only ones which have done an ocean passage. Possibly also HiHi might be worth following up.

J&B has been for sale recently at a give-away price, someone from up North might be able to tell you more, I understand she is in condition which might be referred to as “a project”.

La Chica is at Motueka, you can search for that name in the Membership Directory. Her original owner, Paul, who currently owns Zebedee, can be contacted via the membership directory also. Zebedee is well-known here, she sailed out from the UK. Paul, an experienced mariner, would be a good source of information

Footprints is for sale, as you know, but the best person to contact regarding her potential for a passage to North America would be her original owner who did the passage to New Caledonia -  also a well-qualified and experienced mariner, no longer a member of the JRA but who will be helpful, I am sure. The current owner might have his contact details (contact me by email if not). If you download magazine #64 you will find an article describing the trip to New Caledonia in Footprints. There is another article about Footprints in Magazine #74.

Since you mention Australia, I notice in the latest magazine (back page, Boats for Sale) that there is a Badger for sale at a very reduced price.

Hope that helps

(There are literally dozens of boats for sale these days which would make a very economical JR conversion).