I would guess (not having had either reel) that any differences between the two would be so slight as to have no readily apparent effects on performance. They are both top end uber-reels, made to deal with huge dogtooth tunas and gts, so I would imagine they will both deal to kingies with ease really. Because they are such over the top type reels, they are scutinised meticulously, and any faults, issues real or perceived will be hugely emphasised, as they should be given the huge price tag on both those reels.
I think a couple of other reels that would be interesting to put into the mix to compare would be the Accurate 20 or 30 spin reels, say a TiCA Talisman reel or a Quantum Cabo reel. That gives you a range of prices for similarly sized reels, compare the performances to the price differences and see what you come up with.
For example, for the price of the Daiwa, you could have 5 of the Quantums. Does that make the Daiwa 5 times better or more likely to land a big kingi for instance? For a Stella, you will get 2 of the talismans. Given the thrashing a talisman has had this year on Pursuit as a "see if you can break this reel" loaner, that would be an interesting choice as well, as the TiCA has taken everything thrown at it under the most brutal use imaginable.
It would be an interesting exercise I think.
As for the rods....ay caramba! They are such an enormously variable thing, you really have to try them all out yourself I think, as pretty much everyone has a slightly different idea of just what they like in a rod.  

Ha! Now I understand! :-) That adds to the issues, as although it is nice ot have the best gear and know it will deal with anything in the ocean, redundancy is another great thing to have in the islands....this is why I have always preferred to have multiple reels of lower price than one very expensive reel, because up there brother, there ain't no repairs or service agents around! :-)
Given the delicacy of a spinning reel (in particular, that bale arm is just too easy to distort or break), I like the idea of having at least one back-up reel.For the price of either the saltiga or stella, I would get a talisman and 2 of the quantums (either the cabo or the boca-even cheaper) and then if something does go wrong, you drop the reel or something, you have the back up..... that is something very nice to know indeed. :-)
Get yourself a bulk spool of 50lb fireline (1200yrds I think), then you have plenty of line to spool and re-spool a couple of those reels at least.
You sure ain't gonna find many kingies up there though! :-)
This last trip up there I used a VanStaal  GT802 rod, and loved it. Cast nicely, and seemed to work the stickbaits and poppers I was using just fine. And again, for the price of those rods, I got 2 for the cost of one of the uber-rods, which meant if I had a breakage, I had a spare. Do yourself a favour, whatever rods you do get, get a few spare rod tip guides of the right size, so if you do chip an eye, you can replace it.
In the islands, redundancy is king, IMO.
cheers mate,
Stu.

Mate, sounds like TAS is biting you bad. As the locals have shown you over there, all you need is some nylon on a hand reel and something that floats to get you out there amongst it. Now go and do some work.

I'll be sticking with either the Shimano or the Daiwa, just would like to know which one, and why?

Or buy one of each and report back.

Daiwa always.......

On the rod front I own one of Leon's Offshore Creations. I have got the Illusion 7'6" 150 - 200. It is actually close to 8' and is way over rated in casting weight I reckon. It is more a 60 - 140g'ish rod I reckon as it has a real nice light action and loads up real nice vertically. Good for getting surface stickbaits to swim right and popping small poppers, which is just the ticket for NZ Kings, I reckon. You'd probably want the bigger heavier model if going for GT's and other troppy bruts to drag them out of the coral bombies.

However if you are going to get a reel in that caliber might as well get a rod to match it ie. Carpenter, Hots, Smith, Fisherman, Ripplefisher ..... check them out. 

Elpescador wrote: Read alan hawks review of the new salty and you may just opt for the stella. Stellas are still in my opinion top of the pile, (a) they are avaliable (b) they cost less than saltys (c) you can get parts all the time (d) they are a proven quantity

and e) they are better looking, though there's a fine line and it can come down to taste - the saltiga dogfight is a bit like Serena Williams, black, muscular and powerful. The Stella is like Maria Sharapova in looks, but with much better performance.

' Nano Fluid Mag sealed Air rotor Zaion'  man the techno speak alone  from tha Saltiga is enough to give any TAS Ho a chubby.