At Uber, we are constantly evolving to meet the needs of the on-demand economy, using our technology to help save time, expand mobility options, support small business, and provide flexible earning opportunities for thousands of drivers and delivery people in Aotearoa.  

Our approach to reimagining the way consumers navigate day-to-day life is having a meaningful impact on New Zealand’s economy.

Uber’s 2021 Economic Impact Report, compiled by Public First and launched today, shows how we helped transform the on-demand economy for consumers, communities, merchants, drivers and delivery people, generating $1.2B in economic value for the New Zealand economy in 2021.

Using a mixture of consumer polling, driver surveys and new economic modeling this report takes a deeper look into the drivers behind this economic contribution and the enhancement of safety and sustainability of the industry. 

Key findings of the report include:

Uber’s contribution to New Zealand’s economy

  • Uber and Uber Eats created an estimated $1.2 billion in economic value and produced $1 billion in consumer surplus in 2021 (equivalent to 0.3% of GDP).

On-demand services boosted small business recovery 

  • Uber’s platforms encouraged New Zealanders to support local restaurants and merchants which they would otherwise not have had access to, leading to $88 million in additional value during a challenging year.
  • 88% of Uber Eats users agree food delivery apps have made it easier to discover new restaurants.

Drivers and delivery people value flexibility

  • Flexibility was a more important factor than higher earnings in why drivers and delivery people choose to drive or deliver through the Uber Driver app, which is worth an estimated $41 million to this cohort.
  • A majority of drivers and delivery people said that they would rather retain the right to choose their own hours, even if the alternative was a 20% increase in earnings.
  • Driver and delivery partners make an additional $68 million a year in earnings through Uber, or an average of 3% more than their next best alternative source of income or work.

Consumer behaviour helped to drive innovation

  • Consumers are prioritising convenience and reliability, saving riders over 4.5 million hours a year leaving more time for family and friends.
  • On average, riders say the Uber app saved 17 minutes per trip compared to the next best alternative, leaving more time for family and friends.
  • Uber ($440m) and Uber Eats ($560m) produced $1 billion in consumer surplus* for New Zealanders in 2021.
  • 52% of Uber Eats users agree that food delivery apps have helped improve their quality of life in the last year while eating out wasn’t allowed.
  • Uber’s trackable point-to-point transport solutions are helping to fill the inevitable gaps in public transport, with an estimated 1 in 11 trips taken with the Uber app connecting with public transport.
  • Safety is a top reason for choosing the platform with 93% of female riders saying that safety is an important factor in their choice to use the Uber app.
  • Consumers are seeking out greener solutions and for 65% of riders without access to a car ride sharing platforms like Uber was an important reason for not owning their own vehicle.
  • According to Kiwi riders, ridesharing is the most significant transport innovation they have experienced in the last decade.

Managing Director Uber Eats Australia & New Zealand, Bec Nyst said:

“We’re pleased to see our combined delivery and mobility businesses making such a significant contribution to New Zealanders and the local economy.

 “Uber provided over a billion dollars in economic value in 2021 and we’re optimistic that there is even more value we can unlock across the North and South Islands as we continue to expand our technology into new regions across the country.

“As we’ve seen across the Tasman the most important factor in why people choose to drive or deliver with the Uber app is flexibility, which is worth an estimated $41 million to this cohort of New Zealanders.

 You can read the full report, including the methodology here. 

* One of the most important measures of economic welfare – the amount you would pay someone to voluntarily give up a good or service. If a good has a zero consumer surplus, that implies we can take or leave it – whereas goods with a high consumer surplus are playing an important role in our lives.