This is 2/3 of the Great Journeys of NZ train trips; still need the Coastal Pacific (which is easier to get from Wellington really). Also have taken the ferry of course.
Trains are a great way to get between Auckland and Wellington, although it's pretty slow and not really cost-competitive in general. The train goes parallel to SH1 and when driving you see some of the impressive trestles that they engineered.
20201105 182603808 to auckland strand
20201105 182618307 observation car
20201105 182740480 bluebridge ferry v1
20201105 182753180 cafe
20201105 192047194 clouds over harbour
09127 first stop paraparaumu
09129 palmy
09132 feilding v1
09142 line of trees v1
09145 cliffs v1
09148 green
09153 brick shed v1
09155 graveyard
09158 cows v1
09160 train crossing v1
09168 green and more topography
09170 observation car
09181 walking through the train
09185 slab
09189 car 103
20201105 221915636 sheep
20201105 221930178 blooming tree v1
20201105 222326111 bush
20201105 222354476 cliffs
09196 rapids
09198 ferns etc v1
20201105 222927691 hmm from whence the wool v1
20201105 223035386 cones on road
09200 station lodge
09202 ohakune v1
20201105 234257430 mardi gras aint in november v1
09204 the northern explorer
09206 round a curve
09212 concrete ties
09214 living in the country
09215 on the train
20201106 003009438 pie texture
09221 stream
09224 tron
09228 hamilton wayfinding