If you’re in Auckland for a short time, and plan to travel to other New Zealand locations, your best option for touring the country is by renting a car.
Car insurance
Try to make sure you’re fully insured. The basic insurance would require you to pay an excess (or deductible), which could be around NZ$1000, in the event of a claim.
Full coverage (without an excess, or deductible) would require a small additional premium which frees you from worrying even about minor prangs and scratches.
Note that your insurance may not cover you for accidents occurring on unsealed roads.
Train, bus or campervan
Your alternatives for leaving Auckland include taking a plane, the train or a bus.
You could also consider hiring a campervan or mobile home, particularly if you want to be freed of the hassles of finding accommodation wherever you stop, or for reasons of cost.
If taking the train, the railway station is on Beach Rd about a kilometre east of the Auckland city centre.
If taking a plane
The Auckland airport is about 21 kilometres southwest of the city centre. As well, there is a downtown airport terminal near the harbour.
And say E noho ra.
