There are a number of airports serving North Island but the largest and most significant are those located at Wellington and Auckland. Both are modern aviation facilities offering the full range of essential passenger services and amenities. Auckland International Airport is located 24 kilometres from the centre of the city, while Wellington International Airport is eight kilometres from downtown.

Both airports serve a large number of both domestic and international destinations, and the airport you arrive at initially depends on the routes available from your point of origin. Transportation to the city from Wellington Airport is via shuttle bus or taxi, while from Auckland, options include shared minibuses, the Airbus services or taxis.

Public transportation networks are operated in all of the island’s major cities and buses and trains present the most popular modes of transport. Rail services across the island are provided by Tranz Scenic (phone: +64 4 495 0775; www.tranzscenic.co.nz/), while buses within Auckland, Wellington and the Hutt Valley are operated by Stagecoach (+64 9 373 9118; www.stagecoach.co.nz).

Stagecoach offers a variety of special tickets and passes that provide cheaper travel for those planning on making a significant number of journeys over a certain period. In the Auckland area, visitors can take advantage of the Daytripper, 3-Day Rover, Discovery Day, Auckand Pass and Group Pass.

Long distance bus travel across the island is provided by Newmans (Phone: +64 9 583 5780; www.intercity.co.nz/) and InterCity (Phone: +64 9 623 1503; www.newmanscoach.co.nz/), with routes available between all of the major cities on the island. Taxis are widely available in every city and can be hired from stands or booked ahead by telephone.