If you’re missing a single tooth denture, a Crusaders jersey or even a whole Christmas ham, chances are it may have ended up in the back of an Uber.

Now in its eighth year, Uber’s Lost and Found Index captures a year’s worth of forgotten items from trips across New Zealand. It’s part data set, part social snapshot. From the particle to the perplexing, it’s a striking reminder of what Kiwis carry with them, and sometimes forget.

While phones, wallets and keys remain the most commonly reported lost items, this year’s list tells a broader – and more bizarre – story. Among the stranger standout entries: golf clubs, a silver Walkman (remember those?), Louis Vuitton sunglasses, a hip brace, a Captain America Lego set, and even a chilly bin. One rider misplaced a single tooth denture. Another left an entire Christmas dinner in the boot.

Each item left behind tells a story – a rushed airport drop-off, a late-night ride home, or a moment of distraction in between.

Midnight: The Forgetting Hour
According to Uber’s data, midnight is the most forgetful time of day for riders, followed closely by 5am and 1am. Whether riders are winding down, rushing to the airport or running on autopilot, it’s in these quieter hours that possessions are most likely to be forgotten.

Clothing continues to be one of the most frequently reported categories, particularly over the weekend. Saturdays saw the highest number of fashion-related items left behind, with Sundays and Fridays not far behind. 

Jaffas are a forgetful bunch
Once again, Auckland has taken the title of the country’s most forgetful city. Wellington and Christchurch weren’t far behind, with Hamilton and Queenstown rounding out the top five. With so many people on the move and plenty happening around town – whether after a night out, a major event or the midweek commute – riders in these cities were more likely to leave something behind than anywhere else in Aotearoa.

And the single most forgettable day of the year? 

15 June 2024. The same night the One NZ Warriors faced off against the Melbourne Storm. Go Media Stadium was packed, and while the final score may have been forgettable, so too were the contents left behind. Phones, wallets and other essentials didn’t all make the return trip after the match.

What we forget says a lot about how we live

Mathieu Maire, Director of Consumer Operations, Uber Australia and New Zealand, says the Index is more than a list of items – it’s a reflection of daily life and the moments where things slip through the cracks.

“Each year, the Lost and Found Index provides a strangely intimate snapshot of life in motion. People lose things for all kinds of reasons: they’re in a rush, they’re distracted, or they’ve got too much on their minds. And whether it’s something practical or personal, there’s often a story behind it.”

“Fortunately, if you realise you’ve left something behind – whether it’s your phone, wallet, or denture – help is just a few taps away in the app. Our built-in tools make it easy to reconnect with your driver and retrieve your belongings with as little as hassle as possible.”

Most *unique* and interesting items for NZ:

  • A single denture (tooth)
  • Crusaders jersey
  • Golf clubs
  • Fishing rod
  • Silver walkman (remember those?)
  • Louis Vuitton sunglasses
  • Hip brace
  • A piece of paper with a contact list
  • Champagne
  • Xmas Ham
  • Chilly bin
  • Captain America lego set

Top 10 most forgotten items:

  1. Clothing
  2. Backpacks/bags
  3. Phone/Camera
  4. Jewellery/Watch/Make-up
  5. Wallets and purses
  6. Umbrella
  7. Headphones and/or speakers
  8. Vape
  9. Keys
  10. Laptop

Most common hours of the day to lose items:

  1. 12:00am/Midnight 
  2. 5:00am 
  3. 1:00am 

Top 5 forgetful cities in Aotearoa:

  1. Auckland 
  2. Wellington 
  3. Christchurch 
  4. Hamilton 
  5. Queenstown 

How to retrieve lost items: 

Thousands of items are left behind Uber rides each day, and the best way to retrieve an item you may have left in a vehicle is to call the driver. Follow instructions on this help page:

  1. Open the Uber app and tap “Activity” on the bottom icon menu. 
  2. Select the trip on which you lost the item.
  3. Scroll down to “Find lost item” in the Help section, and then “Contact driver about a lost item.”
  4. Enter your phone number to call the driver.
  5. If your driver picks up and confirms that your item has been found, coordinate a mutually convenient time and place to meet for its return to you.
  6. If your driver doesn’t pick up, leave a detailed voicemail describing your item and the best way to contact you.
  7. And remember to be considerate, the driver’s schedule will be affected by taking time to return your item to you.
  8. Forgot your registered phone? Sign in to help.uber.com for support.