Frequently Asked Questions
General Services
1. What services does Kiwi Coaches provide?
Kiwi Coaches offers professional bus and coach transport across Auckland and wider New Zealand, including school transport, charter hire, private tours, wedding transfers, and corporate event transport.
2. Where is Kiwi Coaches based?
We are proudly based in Auckland, New Zealand, and serve clients throughout the North and South Islands.
3. What types of vehicles do you operate?
Our fleet includes modern 6, 11, 14, 37, and 49-seat vehicles, as well as classic double-decker buses for special events and charters.
School Transport
4. Does Kiwi Coaches offer private school bus routes in Auckland?
Yes! We operate safe, secure, and private school transport services with real-time tracking, vetted drivers, and flexible routes designed for families.
5. How do I register interest in a school bus service?
Visit kiwicoaches.co.nz/school-routes to submit a request or contact our team directly.
6. Are drivers police vetted for school runs?
Absolutely. All our school transport drivers are fully police vetted and trained in child safety procedures.
Wedding & Event Transport
7. Do you offer wedding coach hire in Auckland and NZ?
Yes, Kiwi Coaches provides wedding transport services for guests and bridal parties, including pre-wedding and post-wedding tours.
8. Can I customise the itinerary for my wedding or event transport?
Yes – all charters are fully customisable. We can tailor routes, timing, and pickup points to suit your schedule and venues.
Private Tours & Charters
9. Can I hire a coach for a day tour from Auckland?
Yes, we offer charter services for day tours to Rotorua, Hobbiton, Waitomo Caves, wineries, and other iconic destinations.
10. Do you offer tour services for cruise ship passengers?
We provide shore excursions and cruise-specific transport, including round-trip tours from Auckland wharf or airport.
11. Are guides available for private group tours?
We can provide professional driver-guides or partner with local tour guides for enhanced experiences.
Airport & Hotel Transfers
12. Do you offer Auckland Airport transfers?
Yes, Kiwi Coaches offers private airport transfers for individuals, groups, and events. Fixed rates available for city hotel and wharf transfers.
13. Can I book a return transfer in advance?
Absolutely. We recommend booking in advance to guarantee availability, especially for large groups or during peak travel seasons.
Booking & Pricing
14. How do I get a quote for a coach or bus hire?
Fill out the contact form at kiwicoaches.co.nz/contact, email us at info@kiwicoaches.co.nz, or call us directly for a fast and accurate quote.
15. What is included in your charter pricing?
Our rates typically include the vehicle, professional driver, fuel, and basic itinerary planning. Additional charges may apply for tolls, parking, or extended hours.
16. Is there a minimum hire time?
Yes, minimum hire times vary depending on the service. For airport transfers, it’s typically 3 hours; for charters, minimum hire is often 4 hours.
Safety & Reliability
17. Are your vehicles regularly maintained and inspected?
Yes. All our vehicles undergo rigorous safety inspections and are maintained to the highest standards.
About the Company
18. Is Kiwi Coaches a New Zealand-owned company?
Yes – we’re proudly 100% New Zealand-owned and operated, delivering reliable transport solutions with a local touch.
19. Why should I choose Kiwi Coaches for my next trip?
We combine modern vehicles, experienced drivers, flexible service, and competitive pricing to deliver premium transport solutions across New Zealand.
New Zealand Coach & Bus Hire FAQ
Looking for a private bus or coach hire in New Zealand? You’re in the right place. This page explains the difference between private charters (what you want for schools, tours, events, airport runs, sports trips) and Auckland Transport (AT) urban services (regular public routes). It also provides an up-to-date industry briefing so you don’t end up in the wrong places.
Coach & Bus Hire (Private Charter) FAQs
What’s the difference between a private charter and AT urban bus services?
Private charter = your own bus/coach and professional driver, on your timetable, to your destinations (schools, events, tours, airport transfers, multi-day trips).
AT urban services = public routes and timetables across Auckland, contracted by Auckland Transport and operated by several large firms (Ritchies, Howick & Eastern, Go Bus/Kinetic, NZ Bus, Tranzurban, etc.). These are not bookable as private vehicles for your group.
If you need your own vehicle, you want private coach/bus hire—not an AT route bus.
What vehicle sizes can I book for a private charter?
Vans / Minibuses (5–12 seats): small groups, airport shuttles, support vehicles.
Urban Buses (40 / 53 seats): low-floor, fast loading; great for in-town shuttles and large movements (wheelchair ramps typically available on request).
Touring Coaches (37 seats): premium small group comfort, short wheelbase, more luggage space per person—ideal for tours/airport transfers.
Touring Coaches (49–53 seats): largest capacity for schools, sports teams, conferences and multi-day touring across NZ.
How do we choose between a bus and a coach?
Choose a bus for around-town shuttles with frequent stops, level boarding, and high throughput.
Choose a coach for inter-city comfort, high-back seats, air-conditioning, P/A system, and under-floor luggage for longer legs.
Are wheelchair-accessible vehicles available?
Yes. Low-floor urban buses typically have ramps/accessible bays (confirm at booking), and we’ll advise best options for coach itineraries and mixed-ability groups.
Do you use GPS and driver telematics?
Yes. Fleet GPS and driver telematics support safe, smooth driving and let operations monitor ETAs and behaviour for continuous improvement (and post-trip reporting for schools/events).
What info do you need to quote accurately?
Dates & times, pickup/drop-off points
Passenger count (adults/students/children)
Luggage profile (bags, instruments, sports kit)
Accessibility needs (wheelchair dimensions, number of devices)
Trip style (in-town shuttle vs inter-city touring), key waypoints/activities
Why book direct with an operator ?
Booking directly with an operator that owns and operates its fleet typically gives you better clarity on vehicle availability, driver scheduling, and pricing (no middle-layer margins/confusion). If you need private charter, look for established NZ operators with real depots/vehicles.
Industry Update (Auckland & NZ)
Guthreys Coachlines
Status: Guthreys Coachlines closed and the remaining fleet was sold off. The last known vehicle sold in March 2024, per independent NZ fleet lists.
Leopard Coachlines
Leopard Coachlines went into liquidation in 2022; Torlesse bought the Leopard brand and some coaches out of liquidation; on 1 December 2022 Tranzit Group bought Torlesse, and the operation now sits within Tranzit’s network.
Pavlovich Coachlines → Ritchies
Status: Pavlovich Coachlines was acquired by Ritchies in 2025, coinciding with Ritchies being awarded Auckland Transport’s largest bus contract. Multiple trade/business outlets reported the acquisition. Pavlovich charter/AT operations now sit under Ritchies.
Who runs AT urban bus routes in Auckland (2024–2025)?
AT contracts public routes to several operators (not for private hire): Ritchies (incl. Pavlovich), Howick & Eastern, Go Bus/Kinetic, NZ Bus, Tranzurban and others listed in public references. These companies may also offer separate charter services, but their AT route vehicles/timetables are public transport, not your own private booking.
Still have questions?
Talk to Kiwi Coaches about the right vehicle for your itinerary (vans 5–12, buses 40/53, coaches 37/49–53), school transport protocols, accessibility options, and safe multi-day touring across Aotearoa.
Request a quote → info@kiwicoaches.co.nz
Call → 09 636 5232