Uber has revealed the cities with the best and worst riders in Aotearoa and as you have probably predicted, no, Auckland did not come out on top.
The rideshare giant's city-by-city Rider Ratings Ranking is back for 2023 after its launch last year, when Hamilton, perhaps surprisingly, was crowned the city with the highest-rated riders in the country. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Aucklanders ranked lowest on the list.
Overall, the average rating for New Zealand's riders is a respectable 4.88 out of 5 stars, on par with 2022. The score also soundly beats that of our counterparts across the ditch, with every city ranking higher than the Aussies' average rating of 4.82.
This year Dunedin took the top spot, dethroning Hamilton with a very admirable average rating of 4.93. However, the Waikato city was in hot pursuit, coming in second place with an average rating of 4.91.
Tauranga rounded out the top three, with the average rider scoring 4.90.
Hastings-Napier, New Plymouth, Palmerston North and Nelson also all scored a reputable 4.90, while Christchurch's riders came in just under the 4.90 threshold with an average rating of 4.89. The Canterbury city was trailed by capital Wellington and holiday hotspot Queenstown, both rounding out the top 10 with an average ranking of 4.88.
If you're wondering where Auckland is, well, it didn't even make the top 10, coming in 11th place - or last - for a second year running, with the average Aucklander holding a rating of 4.86. From the scale of 4 to 5, an 86 is like a B-grade - not bad, but not brilliant either.
Last year, Uber launched its in-app Privacy Centre, where users can lift the lid on their ratings from previous drivers to see how their overall score has been determined. The function provides insight into exactly how many times a 5-star, 4-star, 3-star, 2-star - or the dreaded 1-star - rating has been awarded. The rating is only based on the last 500 trips, and ranking customers is optional for drivers.
How to access the Privacy Centre and ratings breakdown in the app
- In the settings menu, tap privacy and then Privacy Centre
- In the Privacy Centre, swipe to the right and click on the "would you like to see a summary of how you use Uber" tile
- Scroll down to the "browse your data" section and tap on "View my ratings" to see the breakdown
- In addition to viewing your ratings, users can also review their past trip information, payment details, control marketing preferences and more in the Privacy Centre.
How to boost your rating
- Uber asked a handful of driver partners for the inside scoop on what gets them dishing out five stars, and collated these top tips.
- Beat the clock: Driver partners love it when riders are ready to go from the moment they arrive and when the pick-up location is accurate.
- More mess, more stress: Make sure you take your rubbish and any other belongings with you.
- Be polite and say hello: Many Uber driver partners cite the unique conversations they have with riders as one of their favourite parts of their day. A simple "Hello, how was your weekend?" can go a long way.
- Don't slam the door: Although it's easy to accidentally slam a door if you aren't thinking about it, driver partners have consistently cited slammed doors as a reason why they deduct stars, so remember to close it gently.
- A little R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Drivers want their vehicle and time to be respected. Try to treat them how you'd like to be treated. As outlined in Uber's Community Guidelines, driver partners and riders should feel safe and respected on every trip.
Average Rider Rating in New Zealand's metro areas
- Dunedin - 4.93
- Hamilton - 4.91
- Tauranga - 4.90
- Napier-Hastings - 4.90
- New Plymouth - 4.90
- Palmerston North - 4.90
- Nelson - 4.90
- Christchurch - 4.89
- Wellington - 4.88
- Queenstown - 4.88
- Auckland - 4.86
National average - 4.88.
