Tranz Scenic (tel: 0800 872 467, in New Zealand only or (04) 495 0775; website: www.tranzscenic.co.nz) operates New Zealand's rail service. Trains are efficient and reasonably priced but rare, operating more as a tourist service than a business or commuter network. Auckland Station, the largest underground diesel train station in the world, is in the Britomart Centre, a purpose-designed, combined train and local bus station in the old post office building opposite Queen Elizabeth II Square, at the harbour end of Queen Street. The building itself is attractive in a modern, grandiose way and the facilities are what you'd expect in a new, purpose-built terminus.

Rail services: The only service, apart from infrequent local suburban commuter trains, is the daily early morning Overlander service to New Zealand's capital, Wellington, on the southern tip of North Island, as well as an overnight service from Sunday to Friday (journey time - approximately 12 hours).