Air New Zealand Air Points - 10 hr. Layover in ALK

We have a 10 hour layover in ALK that we planned into our trip home to the U.S. from Rarotonga. All parts of the trip home are on a single ticket (RAR-ALK-LAX-ORD). When we land in ALK from RAR, we are planning to head into the city for the day. Since it is on a single ticket, am I right in assuming that we'll be able to check our bags all the way through when we check them in RAR? Or is the layover too long to do that? Also, will we have to clear customs when we land in ALK from RAR?

Net, net, while we're waundering around the city, we'd like to just leave the bags checked so that we don't have to worry about them. Is this likely?

Also - does anyone know if there are lockers or a luggage check available at the airport to store our hand luggage in so we don't need to schlepp that around the city?

Yes you can through check bags and no need to pick them up until arriving at LAX (for US customs). (BTW Auckland airport code is AKL.)

You will need to clear immigration in NZ if going landside. Don't forget to pick up departure tax exemption sticker for transit from the bank branches in AKL (no need to pay the NZ$25 departure tax).

There are paid lockers landside. I am not sure what the cost is.

I am not an expert in Air New Zealand, but I can answer you questions, as I was there last year in the same circumstances.

You will do Immigration if you leave airside. Not a problem. And yes, you can deposit your carry-on in a clearly signed left luggage on main floor. The bus to town departs every 20 minutes from just outside the left luggage place. The trip takes aproximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. Once inside the bus, get a free map with all the stops. Plan on getting back a little earlier than you think is OK, as traffic can be slow at rush hour. Also, AKL is well known for very throrough security inspections (plural).

In town, íf you want to visit just one attraction, visit the Tower. Take a camera, as you can photograph the whole city from the wonderful glass windows.

Enjoy.

Yep, As Kiwiflyer says there is left luggage landside - turn left when you emerge from the immigration and customs/agriculture checks at AKL.

It is within the tourist information desk and costs something like NZ$10 per day.. less than 8 dollars US. They have always been open for flights when I've needed them and are pretty friendly - the bags are held securely upstairs from their office.

Thanks to everyone for their advice - it sounds like this will be a breeze - and the bus to town sounds great. Very much appreciated!!!