>>1634857From Hamilton to Auckland CBD, I would rather take a single bus than two slow trains.
I say that as a train autist, but there is some confortable long-range bus available on the market that can provide an increased frequency.
In the end just take your own car it will be faster and cheaper.
Trains is the way to go but you have to do it well. From a non-kiwi point of view, this Te Huia service looks useless.