Uber Eats is expanding its reach to more Kiwis than ever before as it launches in nine new regional towns and rolls out Eats for teens, a new feature designed to give teenagers across the motu aged 14–17 the ability to order meals independently, with built-in parental and guardian controls.

From the top of the North’s Kerikeri down to the Deep South’s Gore, more Kiwis will now have access to their favourite meals and groceries while Uber Eats continues to support local businesses, delivery partners and communities nationwide. 

For the first time, residents in Waiuku, Huntly, Motueka, Greymouth, Gore, Matamata, Morrinsville, Thames, and Kerikeri will be able to order from local restaurants at the tap of a button – just like in New Zealand’s major cities. Whether it’s enjoying a fragrant curry from Little India in Motueka, grabbing a late-night kebab from Fez Kebab in Matamata, or indulging in a hearty feast from Armadillo’s Greymouth, locals now have even more dining options at their fingertips.

By the end of March, parents, guardians and teens will be able to access Eats for teens, a feature designed to help parents/ guardians manage busy schedules while giving teens greater independence. Building on the successful launch of Uber for teens (rides for teens), which launched in New Zealand last year and is now trusted by thousands of Kiwi families, this new addition allows teens to order meals themselves while parents and guardians retain full oversight.

Parents and guardians can set spending limits, receive real-time order notifications and track deliveries, ensuring peace of mind while providing teens with a safe and structured way to enjoy their favourite meals.

“We are energised by the opportunity to bring the convenience of Uber Eats almost everywhere and to almost everyone across Aotearoa. Launching Uber Eats to more regional towns is an important step in making food delivery more accessible across New Zealand while also providing new opportunities for local restaurants and delivery people,” said General Manager of Uber Eats New Zealand, Andy Bowie.

“At the same time, we know that whānau are busier than ever and the launch of Eats for teens offers a simple, safe, and structured way for teenagers to order meals while guardians stay informed and in control. Whether it’s a local business getting more orders or a parent or guardian knowing their teen can sort their own snack after school, we’re excited to see more Kiwis benefit from these expansions.”

This expansion strengthens the presence of Uber Eats in dozens of cities and towns across Aotearoa, providing more choice and convenience while opening up new earning opportunities for delivery partners and additional revenue streams for small businesses.

Since launching in New Zealand, Uber Eats has helped over two million Kiwis access food delivery, supporting over 100,000 locals who have earned income through the platform. The addition of these nine new towns will allow even more small businesses to offer delivery for the first time, helping them reach a broader customer base and operate more efficiently.

Eats for teens has also been successfully piloted in US and Canada since 2022, and is already available in over 270 cities worldwide. With today’s announcement, by the end of March, it will be available in most cities where Uber Eats operates in, including Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Queenstown, Tauranga, Wellington, Palmerston North, Napier-Hastings, New Plymouth, Gisborne, Nelson and Whangarei.

Uber’s regional growth will roll out in phases, with additional communities set to join throughout the year. By continuing to expand into new locations, Uber Eats remains committed to strengthening its presence in regional New Zealand, bringing greater choice and convenience to local customers while helping businesses thrive.

How to set up Eats for teens:

Parents can follow these 3 simple steps to get their teen’s account set up in the Uber Eats app:

  1. Tap Account > Family to create a Family profile. 
  2. Tap Invite Family > Teen > Choose contact and select their name from your contacts. (Aged 14-17 in New Zealand)
  3. Make sure your payment information is up to date and a spending limit has been set before your teen makes their first order. 

Teens can follow the below steps to set up their account:

  • Once the above steps are completed by the parent or guardian, the teen will receive an invitation to join Uber for teens or to download the Uber Eats app if they haven’t already
  • Once the teen finishes the setup process,they can begin using their teen account to place orders independently.

How to order on Uber Eats:

  1. Download the Uber Eats app or head to the Uber Eats website to order online.
  2. Sign in using your Uber account or sign up to create an account.
  3. Provide your address – add your home, work or any other address you’d like.
  4. Browse local restaurants – search for your favourite meal or try something new.
  5. Check out with a few taps – pay with your card on file.
  6. Track your order – watch as your order gets picked up and delivered to you.
  7. Rate your food and delivery.