We landed in Auckland around 1215 and picked up our Avis rental car to take us home. This was the cheapest way of getting home. The car cost us NZD19 including surcharges (so the actual rental would have been a negative amount). It’s sold as a relocation from the airport branch to the city branch but they give 24h for you to return the car. And there’s no need to re-fuel the car at all!
We drive it home, and one of us would return it to the city office when we’ve had a rest. The other person would follow in our own car to drive the first person home. Because we’re so close to the city, it’s a very easy and cheap arrangement.