Originally Posted by
ottiehund
I have wondered this as well (international to domestic, rather than international to international as OP situation) and have avoided some flights back into NZ where I would have had 5 hours or so to fill in, during the wee hours of the morning in Auckland as was not sure if I could collect my bags and stay airside at international (assuming domestic terminal would be closed) .
Just out of interest what is open (if anything) airside at that time of night/morning?
There is no way to do this as far as I'm aware. Once you get dumped in the bag collection zone, that's it: your only way out is to collect your bags and then exit security. Now you'd be landside with the domestic terminal closed.
I'm curious as to what flights land you at this awful time with such an awful connection.