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New Zealand

Small country, big adventures. App up before you explore.

Curated by travelers, verified by locals

Heads up

New Zealand is compact but remote. Cell coverage outside main towns can be unreliable, especially on the South Island. Download offline maps and pre-book transport for popular routes. Contactless card payments work almost everywhere, even in small towns.

15 apps5 essentialOceania

Last updated: March 2026

Uber

Essential

Available in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and other major centres. The most reliable ride-hailing option for airport pickups and city travel.

Pro tip: Uber coverage thins out quickly outside the big three cities. In smaller towns like Queenstown or Rotorua, you may need to rely on local taxis instead.

Ola

Nice to have

An alternative to Uber operating in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. Often has competitive pricing and new-user promotions.

Uber Eats

Nice to have

The dominant food delivery platform in New Zealand. Available in most urban areas with a solid range of restaurant and fast-food options.

Menulog

Nice to have

A delivery platform with a good selection of local restaurants. Handy as a backup when Uber Eats does not carry what you want.

AT Mobile

Essential

Auckland Transport's official app for buses, trains, and ferries across the Auckland region. Plan journeys, check real-time arrivals, and top up your AT HOP card.

Pro tip: Get an AT HOP card as soon as you arrive in Auckland. Cash fares are significantly more expensive, and the card works across all buses, trains, and ferries.

Metlink

Nice to have

Wellington's public transport app covering buses, trains, ferries, and the cable car. Real-time tracking and trip planning for the greater Wellington region.

Pro tip: Wellington is very walkable, but the bus network is essential for getting to hillside suburbs and the Hutt Valley. Snapper cards work on most services.

Transit App

Nice to have

A multi-city transit app that works across New Zealand. Aggregates real-time data for buses and trains, making it useful if you are travelling between cities.

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Need data to use these apps? Get an eSIM before you go.