CYCLONE GABRIELLE UPDATES: View our traffic map for the latest available information on road closures and delays.(external link)

SCAM ALERTS: Report a phishing scam or learn about the latest phishing emails

TRAFFIC UPDATES: Several roads have been impacted by recent weather events. We’ll provide updates on our Journey Planner website as information becomes available. View our traffic map for road closures and delays(external link)

SCAM ALERTS: Report a phishing scam or learn about the latest phishing emails

CONTACT CENTRE WAIT TIMES: Our Contact Centre is currently experiencing significant wait times. View frequently asked questions

ONLINE TRANSACTIONS: We are experiencing issues with credit and debit card transactions on our website. We are working with the payment provider to resolve this as soon as we can. 

CONTACT CENTRE WAIT TIMES: Our Contact Centre is currently experiencing significant wait times. View frequently asked questions

REGO AND RUC LABEL ERROR: There was a postage error with labels purchased on the 15 August 2022. Find out more

ROAD USER CHARGES (RUC) DISCOUNT: Find out more about the temporary RUC reduction scheme

ONLINE SERVICES: We are currently experiencing issues with all our online services at the moment. We are working to resolve the services as soon as possible. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

COVID-19 SERVICES UPDATE: Information on Waka Kotahi services, extensions and more

ONLINE SERVICES: We currently have an issue with receiving some payments and are working to resolve this issue as quickly as possible. We apologise for any inconvenience.

EASTER WEEKEND – PLAN AHEAD: Heading away for the long weekend? Check our holiday journeys tool(external link)

SCAM ALERTS: Refund email and Vehicle licence (rego) renewal phishing emails

CONTACT CENTRE PHONE LINES: Our Contact Centre phone lines are currently unavailable. View frequently asked questions

What does ‘hire or reward’ mean

'Hire' means there is specific compensation for carrying passengers or freight, but it is not necessary that the carrier makes a profit.

'Reward' means any 'valuable consideration', usually in situations where one person performs a useful service for some other person, and the person performing the service is given recompense (reward) for that service. It includes cases where there is no obligation to pay. Reward is not just an alternative word for hire.

While ‘hire or reward’ is not defined in law, the term has been interpreted through case law (what courts have decided when they've been asked to determine if someone has broken the law or not). The case law interpretation is very broad.

Amendments made in 2005 to the Land Transport Act 1998 incorporated case-law interpretations to the revised definition of passenger service, which now includes:

  • when passengers pay a specific charge that is expected as a condition of carriage, including part payments to cover fuel and donations

  • when the person or organisation providing the service receives specific funding to do so (eg a Ministry of Health grant to take older people on outings)

  • when passengers are carried as an integral part of, or reasonably necessary to provide, another service or activity (other than a transport service) for which payment is made.