Express lane at AKL arrival immigration was still there a couple of weeks ago. I just use smartgate these days (far quicker than queueing and even if there is no queue it is still quicker because saves the immigration officer scrolling through my long travel record), although of course that option isn't available to everyone.

At customs is where it should save time - using exit A instead of B (although I have had one time where A was slower than B thanks to a plonker with undeclared food).