Possible Clues:

• Area between Australia and New Zealand
• The main asset a man shifts
• Tank's opening in part of minister's house: a lot of water!
• Chap stopping fool in afternoon meal getting some water
• A second person's in the drink — here?
• Water having steam as an alternative form
• An arm of the South Pacific lying between Australia and New Zealand
• Quantity of drink and chap's occupying a seat drunkenly
• Cook explored here as Smetana composed
• A small isle's in the drink, or one part of it