A guide to delegate ground transport for New Zealand conferences — when to use coaches, shuttles, vans, chauffeurs or taxis.
Ground transport is one of the most visible parts of a delegate's experience: airport arrivals, shuttles to the venue, coaches to the gala dinner and transfers for off-site activities. MICE lists around 198 transport operators across New Zealand, spanning coaches, shuttles, vans, private cars and taxis. The right mix depends on group size, distance and the impression you want to make. Browse options in the transport directory.
Coaches are the workhorse of conference transport, moving roughly 30–55 delegates at once between hotels, venues and dinners. They are the most cost-effective choice for large, synchronised movements. Regional and national coachlines in MICE include Tranzit Coachlines, Ritchies, Go Bus, Johnston's Coachlines, Kinetic and Pavlovich Coachlines.
Shuttles and vans (typically 8–20 seats) suit smaller groups, continuous airport pick-ups and staggered arrivals where a full coach would sit half-empty. They are flexible for spreading delegates across a day. Operators include SuperShuttle, Quick Shuttle and Capital Shuttles and Tours, alongside many regional van services.
Chauffeured cars are the right call for VIPs, keynote speakers, sponsors and executives who need a discreet, door-to-door arrival. Providers in MICE include ChauffeurNZ, Legacy EPT, Executive Chauffeur Wellington and Limousine South. Some operators serve several regions, which helps keep a consistent standard for touring VIP groups.
Taxis cover the gaps — late finishers, individual errands and small ad-hoc trips — without you rostering a vehicle. Corporate-account operators such as Corporate Cabs, Wellington Combined Taxis, Auckland Co-op Taxis and Blue Star Taxis can bill back to the organiser.
For the full, regularly updated list of operators by region and vehicle type, see the transport directory, and plan off-site movements alongside your team-building and group activities.
Coaches are usually the most cost-effective option for moving large groups at the same time between hotels, the venue and evening functions.
Shuttles and vans suit smaller groups and staggered airport arrivals, where a full-size coach would run half-empty.
Use a chauffeured private-car service for VIPs, speakers and sponsors who need discreet, door-to-door transfers. MICE lists chauffeur operators across New Zealand.
MICE lists around 198 transport operators across New Zealand, covering coaches, shuttles, vans, private cars and taxis.
Book as early as you can, especially over summer and around major events, because coach fleets are limited and fill quickly.
What MICE means — meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions — and how each type of business event works in New Zealand.
The Auckland venues with a room that seats 800 or more delegates theatre-style, ranked by capacity.
Blenheim and Marlborough venues with a room that seats 400 or more delegates theatre-style, ranked by capacity.
The larger Blenheim and Marlborough venues that seat 250 or more guests at a banquet, ranked by capacity.
Whangārei and Northland venues that seat 300 or more guests at a banquet, ranked by capacity.
Invercargill and Southland venues that seat 250 or more guests at a banquet, ranked by capacity.