Transport and Driving in New Zealand

Buses in New Zealand form the backbone of the country’s various public transport networks. They are often the primary or only mode of transit in cities such as Christchurch, Hamilton and Dunedin. Local bus services are typically contracted to private companies. The largest of these companies is NZ Bus, which operates services under different brand names in Auckland and Wellington.

It is usually possible to get single-ride tickets and multiple-ride passes. Buses in Auckland also accept the AT HOP card.

There are many private bus companies in New Zealand that offer intercity travel. While some of these are primarily aimed at tourists, expats will find that it should still be possible to find affordable one-way tickets between towns and cities.

Taxis in New Zealand 

Expats will have access to a wide range of taxi services in New Zealand. There are a plethora of operators in different areas of the country. Commuters can also use single taxis, group transport and shuttle options. New arrivals who want to get to know their surroundings can also take advantage of services such as day-tour packages.

The most reliable way of getting a taxi in New Zealand is to book in advance with a local service, either by phoning the company directly or booking online. That said, taxis can be hailed off the street or found at taxi ranks, especially in larger cities. Government bodies such as Auckland Transport provide taxi information online.

App-based rideshare services such as Uber and Zoomy are also active in New Zealand. Many expats prefer using rideshare apps as they allow for automatic credit card billing, and greater control over their route.

Useful links

• Uber
• Zoomy

Driving in New Zealand

It is possible to get just about everywhere on both islands in a regular car. Crossing between the North and South islands on a ferry is also fairly easy.

Road rules in New Zealand are similar to those in the UK, and cars drive on the left-hand side of the road. Driving in New Zealand is not usually stressful, except perhaps during rush hour in big cities. Drivers exploring the country should exercise caution, as many roads in New Zealand's rural areas vary in condition and can be narrow or winding.

Driving licences in New Zealand

If their home country's driving licence is in English, expats can drive with it in New Zealand for up to a year. Otherwise, they will need to carry an official translation of their licence or acquire an international driving permit. After living in New Zealand for more than 12 months, expats need to convert their licence to a New Zealand driving licence.

Expats with valid overseas driving licences can convert their licences by applying at specialist overseas conversion sites. Applying for a licence conversion requires the usual things, such as proof of identity, an eye test and having one's photo taken. People with certain medical conditions must provide a medical certificate proving their ability to drive safely. Those from countries without centralised licencing authorities (e.g., India, Pakistan and Tonga) must provide extra documentation as evidence of validity. Depending on where their licence was issued, expats may also have to take written and practical tests.

Useful links

• NZ Transport Agency

Domestic flights in New Zealand

Travelling between cities using domestic flights in New Zealand is often cheaper, especially when travelling from one island to the other. Regular domestic flights operate between large airports in Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown, as well as smaller regional airports. The larger airports also have shuttle buses that run from town to the airport. Several airlines offer domestic flights in New Zealand, including Air New Zealand, Jetstar, Air Chathams and Golden Bay Air.