The majority of local buses are run by Stagecoach Auckland, who also staff the Rideline timetable helpline (tel 09/366 6400). The useful Auckland Busabout Guide leaflet is available free from visitor centres; other sources of bus information include newsagents and the Information Kiosk (Mon-Fri 7.15am-6.45pm, Sat & Sun 9.15am-4.45pm) at the Downtown Bus Terminal on Commerce Street.

The single most useful route is The Link (Mon-Thurs 6am-10pm, Fri 6am-11.30pm, Sat & Sun 7am-11pm; $1); these flashy white buses ply a continuous loop through the city, Parnell, Newmarket, K' Road and Ponsonby every ten minutes during weekdays and every twenty minutes in the evening and at weekends. Of the remaining services, city-bound buses will be marked "Downtown" if terminating at the Downtown Bus Terminal, or "Midtown" if ending their run at the corner of Victoria Street and Queen Street.

For buses other than The Link, fares are charged according to a zonal system: the inner city, Parnell, Mount Eden and Ponsonby are covered by one zone ($1.10 per journey), from the city to Newmarket is two zones ($2.20), Henderson is five zones ($4.50), and so on. You can save ten percent by buying a Ten-trip Ticket (price determined by the number of zones covered), which is also valid on the trains; for short-stay visitors, a better deal is the one-day Auckland Pass ($7 from bus drivers), which gives all-day unlimited travel on the entire bus network (including The Link) and includes the Devonport ferry. The same ground is covered with the three-day Rover ($17), excellent value if you want to get about a bit.