Industry Statistics
The small passenger service industry in New Zealand has undergone significant changes and growth specifically post 2017 when the national government further deregulated the industry introducing rideshare platforms such as Uber and Ola. This has led to a significant increase in the number of small passenger service licence holders in the country.
Despite this growth, there appears to be a nationwide shortage of small passenger service operators, specifically female operators, each of which the Small Passenger Service Association is actively working to address.
Although the small passenger service industry has at times been viewed as a sunset or redundant industry it is also seeing a constant and growing demand for its services from international tourists, making it a reliable source of new customers for small passenger service providers.
Number of taxis licensed in New Zealand from 2010 - 2021
From 2012 there is a steady increase in the number of small passenger licenses issued in New Zealand, with a sharp increase in 2017 following the introduction of rideshare platforms such as Uber and Ola to the market. From 2016 – 2021 New Zealand experienced an increase in over 100% of small passenger service license holders.
Taxi Drivers in New Zealand
Approximately 50% of New Zealand’s drivers operate in Auckland, which has a population that accounts for approximately 32% of all New Zealanders. This is notable indicating that the demand for small passenger service operators is particularly high in this region. This also illustrates that there is a nationwide demand for new operators to join the industry and help support the growing demand of small passenger service association members.
Male vs female Taxi Drivers in New Zealand
The lack of female operators in the small passenger service industry in New Zealand is evident. Only a small percentage of small passenger service license holders are female, indicating a need for greater gender diversity in the industry. The SPSA acknowledge that there is a shortage of female operators within our industry and as a group we are motivated to make meaningful change, encouraging more females to join our industry and service the growing demand for female service providers.
Modes of transport used by international visitors in new Zealand
There is a constant and growing demand for small passenger services from international visitors, arriving into New Zealand each year, and the number of visitors who use small passenger services during their stay, making it a reliable source of new customers for small passenger service providers.
Overall, despite past perceptions of the industry as a sunset or redundant industry, the data suggests that there is still a strong and growing demand for small passenger services in New Zealand.