There are cafes inside the domestic terminal in Auckland to buy snacks, fruit and cut sandwiches. Sandwiches should be fine to eat/keeping quality on a domestic flight to Queenstown. Buy some drinks too so you have something on hand to sip on board or when you arrive.

>>>Even liquids are allowed on domestic flights!!<<<

You can imagine how we were shocked to see someone with a 3-pack of wine boarding a domestic flight!

There is a large supermarket just by the Queenstown airport. A 5 minute drive. The only restriction on flying with food on a domestic flight is having it squashed in your luggage.

You will pass through security on a jet flight from Auckland so anything over 100mls will have to be in your checked luggage and you have the risk of spillage.

@Mike - they have liquid restrictions on domestic flights now?! That is news to me.

I just checked the NZ Aviation security website and for domestic flights only weapons are forbidden (and this may include a kitchen knife), Liquids etc are specifically mentioned in the international flight section.

There are infact three large supermarkets within a 5 min drive of Queenstown Airport. New World is closest (to the left as you drive out). It might be a bit cheaper to buy in Akld, especially if you have more time and have the luggage space.

Domestic security screen for weapons and dangerous items like lighters - I've just barely got through with my SwissArmy pocket knife (the big blade was borderline on their size guide!).

In the last 24months between Akld and Queenstown I've passed through security with: takeaway flat white coffee, multiple bottles of wine, a bouquet of fresh spring flowers (from a wedding), a ziploc plastic bag of lettuce from mums garden, a container of xmas fruit mince pies, frozen ziplocked raw venison and duck, fresh cherries. This weekend I'll have local honey, a zucchini & lemon loaf, and maybe a few fresh zucchini from my garden :-)

Better to buy from supermarkets than airport too... often specials on at supermarkets, and the airport is a captive audience.

Yes, food is allowed, but it must fit the Official National NZ Patriot Food list. So, allowed food:

1. Pineapple lumps

2. Proper jet planes

3. Steak and cheese pies (big ben)

4. Flat whites

5. Lamingtons

#8 +1

PLUS cheese rolls if flying out of Southland - AND of course Whitakkers Chocolate!!

Oops, sorry about misleading on the liquids. I was thinking 'international"

Zhuhai, cheese rolls are not just a Southland icon. You can get them anywhere south of the Waitaki. On a recent trip the best ones we had were in Roxburgh, closely followed by a cafe in Milton.. Check my reviews :)