As Kiwis gear up for sun-soaked holidays, end-of-year gatherings, and the annual rush of summer travel, Uber is unwrapping its annual rider ratings – revealing which cities have been spreading cheer on the road this year, and which may need a small etiquette tune before the season hits full swing. 

Rider ratings have quickly become part of the Kiwi summer ritual, popping up in BBQ conversations, group chats, and on the way to the work Christmas do. With the silly season in full swing, this year’s Naughty or Nice list lands at the perfect time to get people talking.

The findings show where good etiquette is thriving, where standards have slipped, and how rider habits are shaping up as the country enters one of its busiest travel periods.

Santa’s stocking snapshot

This year, riders across the motu have clearly been on their best behaviour, nudging the national average rider rating up to a sparkling 4.90 – still comfortably outshining our Aussie mates across the ditch at 4.82. With four new cities joining the list for the very first time, the expanded rankings give the clearest picture yet of how Aotearoa stacks up heading into the summer holidays.

Stealing the spotlight with near-perfect scores are newcomers Gisborne and Invercargill, sharing the top spot with a glowing 4.99. Further down the chimney is Napier-Hastings at 4.86 – not quite Grinch territory, but a timely reminder that small courtesies make a noticeable difference during the festive rush.

Auckland and Wellington both sit at 4.89 – just under the national average – suggesting the big cities may have a little work to do before Santa makes his rounds.

Wondering whether your city sparkled or slipped this year? Have a peek at the rankings below – and if your hometown didn’t shine quite as brightly as you’d hoped, a quick etiquette refresh could go a long way!

Average Rider Rating in New Zealand

  1. Gisborne – 4.99
  2. Invercargill – 4.99
  3. Whangarei – 4.98
  4. Nelson – 4.97
  5. Dunedin – 4.94
  6. Hamilton – 4.92
  7. Palmerston North – 4.92
  8. Blenheim – 4.91
  9. Tauranga – 4.91
  10. Christchurch – 4.90
  11. Queenstown – 4.90

———————-National Average: 4.90

  1. Auckland- 4.89
  2. Wellington – 4.89
  3. New Plymouth – 4.89
  4. Napier-Hastings – 4.86

 

How to check your Uber Rider Rating (we heard Santa checks his twice)

  1. Make sure you’ve got the latest version of the Uber app
  2. Open the app and tap Account (bottom right)
  3. Your star rating is waiting for you in the top left corner

Every rider can review their rating, and a breakdown over their Uber lifetime via our Privacy Centre. This hub provides app users with easy access to their privacy settings and includes transparency features that explain how user data powers trip and delivery experiences. Just follow these simple steps:

  1. In the settings menu, tap Privacy and you’ll be directed to your Privacy Centre
  2. In the Privacy Centre, on the “Would you like to see a summary of how you use Uber?” tile, click on “See summary”
  3. Scroll down to Ratings and tap on “View my ratings” to see the breakdown

How to stay on Santa’s Nice List 

No one likes a Scrooge – especially Uber driver-partners who share their time, car, and lives with riders during Christmas. To help keep trips running smoothly over the holidays, Uber is sharing its top tips for being a considerate rider this summer – and for keeping those five stars shining year-round.

  1. Tick tock: When your driver arrives, being ready to go keeps everything running smoother than Santa’s workshop on Christmas Eve. Make sure your pick-up location matches where you’ll be – no one wants to waste precious holiday minutes. 
  2. ‘Tis the season: A warm “kia ora” or “cheers” can light up a trip faster than a strand of fairy lights. Driver-partners say these little moments of kindness brighten their day – especially during the busy season.
  3. Leave the Sleigh shining: Santa’s sleigh might survive a cookie crumb or two, but Uber vehicles are better off clean. Keep the holiday cheer alive by taking your rubbish and belongings with you. It’s a small gift to the next rider, and your driver will thank you for it!
  4. Tinsel touch: Everyone’s buzzing with holiday excitement, but slamming the door is a one-way ticket to the naughty list. A gentle close keeps the Christmas spirit intact (and your rating twinkling).
  5. Wrap every ride with respect: Treat your driver and their car the way you’d treat the presents under the tree – with care. Respect keeps every ride feeling festive, and Uber’s Community Guidelines help make sure everyone gets home with their holiday cheer intact.

Respect is a two-way street, and Uber only works when it’s beneficial for both riders and driver partners. Fostering a community of mutual respect is important, which is why we encourage feedback on both sides by asking both riders and drivers to rate their rides, enhancing the Uber experience for everyone. You can learn more about Uber’s two-way rating system here.

If your personal rating isn’t quite jingling your bells, remember it’s based on your last 500 trips—so whether you’ve been naughty or nice, there’s always room for improvement, not just over the 12 days of Christmas, but 365 days a year.

Happy holidays, Aotearoa, and remember, good manners make for smooth rides and a merrier season for all!