At launch,
Auckland Regional Transport Authority deemphasised the question of whether or not the name was an acronym: "MAXX does stand for something. MAXX stands for comfortable and attractive facilities for commuters; fast, frequent and more reliable transport services; and comprehensive transport information. MAXX is not another acronym, but a symbol of quality." The brand was originally intended to refer to Metropolitan Auckland XXpressways, a brand developed by Auckland-based Sanders Design / Stephenson & Turner. It featured a dark blue livery and a 'pesky cartoon
pūkeko called Maxx'. As described by
Brian Rudman, the intention to brand the whole of Auckland's public transport fleet - arrived at after years of negotiation - was undermined by the insistence of operators like
Stagecoach / Infratil to use their own livery, relegating the brand to an afterthought displayed much less prominently. == Usage ==