It always seemed advantageous when connecting from a regional centre to use the elevator/express lane in the past. In real terms, this often meant a bit of a jump ahead in the security line, albeit there was patchy continuity/usefulness. Others can comment, but express hasn't appeared to be running at all post Covid, whether you use the prem check in entrance or the standard escalator, so if that is the case, then using the prem foyer when already checked in in the regions is pointless. Ironic really, given that aviation sec in AKL at the moment is arguably taking longer that it could - as discussed in other threads, e.g., half the bag X-rays going through to secondary, etc etc.