Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - New's Year Eve layover at AKL -- anything to do?

Hello, flying SFO-BNE and making a stopover in AKL on New Year's Eve -- landing at around 8:20 am and taking off 4:10 pm.

I'd like to drive into the city and grab a quick lunch or late breakfast, but here's what I'm thinking:

1.5 hours for arrival procedures and picking up a rental car (assuming I don't have to pick up my luggage)
1 hour to drive to the city
1 hour to drive back to the airport
2.5 hours for returning the car and departure procedures (assuming I don't have to check luggage)

With that in mind, I guess I'll only have 1-2 hours, but I don't really mind.

Though my main concern is that most restaurants/pubs will be closed on this day? I'm definitely looking for something casual, perhaps a famous local eatery/chain/pub. Anything around America's Cup Village or Parnell/Ponsonby that will be open on 12/31, maybe?

Thanks for your help! ^

No its an ordinary Saturday so almost everything will be open. The only exceptions I can think of are small businesses (eg owner-run cafes) might be closed.

You should have longer in the central city. Should take less than an hour to clear immigration. Make sure you get a departure fee exemption sticker (for transit under 24 hours) at the Bank of New Zealand - show your onward BP. Traffic should be light so only 30 minutes to & from the central city.

I'd suggest you check your bags through and pick up BP at the transit desk on arrival (before immigration). Then clear immigration and do whatever in the city. That way you wont need to arrive back at the airport as early. 1 hour before departure is fine if already checked in - maybe a little earlier if you want to freshen up in the lounge.

Thanks for the info -- I still have bad memories of trying to catch a train on Boxing Day in England, so good to hear AKL won't be a ghost town. :D ^ I'll definitely be sure to get the departure fee exemption and my boarding pass before I leave the airport...

New years day OTOH will be very quiet - hangovers and holiday.

New years day OTOH will be very quiet - hangovers and holiday.

That's my plan for 1/1/06 in Brisbane... ;) ^