Uber rideshare expands to Whakatāne and Eastern Bay with driver sign‑up push

Uber is launching in Whakatāne. Photo / 123RF

Uber is gearing up to launch its rideshare service in Whakatāne and is calling on locals to sign up as drivers.

The rollout aims to build a strong network of driver‑partners ahead of the platform going live, offering residents new earning opportunities and another way to get around the Eastern Bay.

Uber said driving on the platform can suit a range of lifestyles, whether people are looking to fit trips around other work, top up earnings during busy tourism seasons, or simply work at times that suit their commitments.

Uber Australia and New Zealand driver operations head Daniel Lopez said the company is excited to expand into Whakatāne.

“We’re excited to be preparing to bring Uber to Whakatāne and to offer locals the opportunity to earn flexibly by driving on the platform.

“We encourage anyone interested to sign up as soon as possible, as the onboarding process can take at least three to four weeks.”

Why Whakatāne, and why now?

An Uber spokesperson said the Whakatāne launch is the next step in the company’s ongoing regional expansion across New Zealand.

“We’re committed to making reliable, affordable transport more accessible across Aotearoa — not just in major cities.

“Last week’s announcement is about encouraging locals to sign up as driver‑partners ahead of the service launching, so there’s a strong network of drivers in place when the platform goes live.”

There is no confirmed timing as to when the platform will launch in Whakatāne at this stage and Uber is focused on welcoming driver-partners onto the platform.

Uber first launched in Tauranga in 2018 and in Rotorua in 2019, expanding steadily through New Zealand’s regional centres as demand for rideshare services grows.

Since launching in New Zealand in 2014, Uber has expanded to 19 cities and towns across the country.

More than 40,000 driver and delivery partners now earn through the platform, with flexibility consistently cited as the top reason people choose to drive.

The app also includes a range of built‑in safety features, such as driver screening, GPS tracking on every trip, in‑app support tools, and the option to share trip details with trusted contacts.