Originally Posted by akl_cat

You will have to pick up your bag --> fill in the "temporary entry form" --> clear immigration (this is supposedly at the left-most dedicated 144-hour visa free transit lane, but NZ289 gets in too early on most days so you might have to just go up to the regular lanes and then wait at the secondary clearance desk) --> clear custom --> either take the shuttle bus from the departure floor, or walk in an undercovered walkway from arrival floor to T1, re-check in with VS for your boarding pass and bag drop --> clear custom and immigration (via regular lanes) --> board

My "recent" experience was Sept 23, but doubted this would have changed much since then.