On 4 May 2014, a new technology platform got started in Auckland, offering locals and visitors the chance to get a ride from A to B at the touch of a button.

Now, five years later, we are celebrating a significant milestone for Uber in New Zealand, as we have grown to be an integral part of the local transport landscape.

We now operate in seven cities around the country – Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown and Dunedin – and help thousands of Kiwis find a safe, affordable and reliable ride around town on a daily basis.

Collectively, a total of 230 million kilometres have been travelled in Uber trips in New Zealand over the past five years – the equivalent of driving around the world 5,737 times.

We’re proud to be able to offer Kiwis a new way to earn money on a schedule that suits them. Driver partners tell us they choose Uber because of the flexibility the app provides in letting them earn money in hours that suit them and their families – for some that might be 9-5, but for others it can be during their morning commute, weekend evenings, or the early hours of the morning.

Over the past five years, we’ve seen:

  • An Auckland-based driver-partner has driven 152,738 kms
  • The driver-partner with the most five-star ratings is based in Wellington and has received 14,630 five-star ratings
  • Collectively, a total of 230 million kilometres have been travelled in Uber trips in New Zealand – the equivalent of driving around the world 5,737 times
  • The most rides taken by one rider in one day was 46 – completed in Auckland on 8 January 2017
  • The nicest rider has given 1,006 compliments
  • The most loyal Kiwi rider has completed 3,199 trips
  • The most popular pick-up spot is Queens Wharf in Auckland
  • The best-travelled rider has also used Uber in 22 other countries
  • The busiest day in our five year history was Saturday 15 December, 2018
  • Kiwis are a well-travelled bunch, having used Uber in every one of the 64 countries in which we operate

We’ve been pleased to work with the New Zealand government on reforms to modernise the small passenger services sector for the benefit of Kiwi consumers and drivers. The new rules, which came into effect on 1 October 2017, regulated ridesharing and help keep NZ cities moving.

Uber has also grown to encompass new platform elements – with Uber Eats launching in Auckland on 8 March 2017. And we’re excited to soon introduce JUMP in Wellington and further complement other forms of shared, public and active transport.

Our five year anniversary is a great chance to say thanks to all our loyal riders and driver partners – and we’re looking forward to many more exciting years in our journey to come.

Timeline of when Uber went live in each New Zealand city in which we operate:

  • Auckland: 4 May 2014
  • Wellington: 14 October 2014
  • Christchurch: 17 March 2016
  • Hamilton: 25 January 2018
  • Tauranga: 1 February 2018
  • Dunedin: 31 May 2018
  • Queenstown: 7 June 2018