Girl, 5, on bus alone to Albany

The girl was supposed to wait outside her class to be collected but got on the bus undetected. Photo / Supplied

A 5-year-old new entrant girl was found wandering alone after getting herself on and off a bus unnoticed.

The girl from Coatesville School, north of Auckland, was picked up by a concerned motorist who spotted her walking along a road in Albany - 10km from the school grounds.

School principal Richard Johnson said the girl was supposed to wait outside her class to be collected but got on the school bus undetected and hopped off the bus in Albany after a 20-minute ride.

She was spotted by another parent at the school who recognised her and was returned to the school and her worried parents.

The parents did not want their child identified and said that although they were upset at the time they were happy with the way the school had acted.

The school staff, board of trustees and parents were told of the incident and that steps would be taken immediately to review procedures.

Johnson said there was now a greater teacher presence at the school gate and stricter procedure on who was boarding buses.

He had spoken to teachers and pupils about having a greater awareness on where unattended children were going.

"It is unfortunate this has happened but it has highlighted things for us and we have made improvements."

It is understood the girl travelled along the Coatesville Riverhead Highway before arriving at Albany, around 20 minutes away.