My advice is to make sure that any shoes or other items in your luggage are very clean of any soil, and do not attempt to import any food items.
When you get through customs and immigration, you will find a bus stand immediately outside the terminal. The Airbus will take you into the city. This departs every 20 minutes, and takes 40 to 60 minutes to get into the city, depending on traffic. You can purchase a return ticket for $20 if you wish, and use the other half when you return to the airport after your stay in New Zealand. Ask the bus driver to let you off at the Intercity Depot. This is in downtown Auckland, close to the Sky Tower, which is a major landmark in the city.
There are two bus services to the Bay of Islands from Auckland. The first of these is the Intercity Coachline also known as Newmans Coach Lines and this departs from Skycity at 102 Hobson Street in Auckland city. The bus going to Kaitaia stops at Whangarei, Paihia and Kaitaia (and some small stops). The fare is $44 (child $35), and the bus takes 4 hours. Departure times on Sunday October 7 are: 8.20am and 5.45pm.
The second bus service is the Northliner Express. This departs from 172 Quay Street, directly opposite the Ferry Building in Auckland city, next to the wharves. Departure times on Sunday October 7 are: 11am and 4.30 pm. Fares and stops are the same as above.
When you arrive at Paihia, your motel is right on the beach front and easy to find. Paihia is a very small township and you cannot get lost. Foss will be staying at the Anchorage Motel (Phone 09-402-7447).
Instead of using the bus service, you could take a flight from Auckland to the Bay of Islands. Air New Zealand flies Auckland to Kerikeri 4 times daily during the week, and 3 times daily Saturday and Sunday. This is a 15 seater Bandeirante turbo prop, $189 one-way fare, taking 50 minutes. All flights are met by a shuttle which takes passengers to Paihia for $15.
This page is Maintained by Foss.Leach@University-of-Ngakuta.ac.nz