Shuttle Services

Te Whatu Ora Te Tai Tokerau operates the Kaitaia to Whangārei and Whangārei to Auckland Health Shuttle services Monday through Friday, excluding public holidays. 

The health shuttles are a free service available for those who require travel support to attend:

• outpatient and inpatient appointments at Northland and Auckland Te Whatu Ora facilities
• parents of children with appointments at Northland and Auckland Te Whatu Ora facilities (you will need to supply your own approved car seat)
• support person/carer of older people or people with disabilities that require a support person
• those returning from a Northland or Auckland Te Whatu Ora facility back to their Northland residence.

Children

All passengers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Children ages 7 or under are required by law to travel in an approved restraint. You will be required to supply and install this car seat in the shuttle as per the manufacturer's requirements, you will also need to supply any necessary seatbelt locking clip.

Booking

Reservations are required for the Shuttle. To make a reservation, please contact our National Travel Assistance (NTA) office on 0800 682 684 or email nta@northlanddhb.org.nz.  You will need your NHI Number and your hospital appointment handy. Reservations need to be made by no later than 2pm and where practicable should be made the day before travel.  

At the Shuttle

Please have your ID and appointment letter available to show the driver before boarding. 

On the Shuttle

• Respect and follow your driver's instructions
• Respect fellow passengers
• Do not use offensive language
• Do not eat or drink - water is ok
• Do not smoke or vape
• Wear your seatbelt at all times
• The shuttle will only stop at designated stops. 

Unfortunately, the shuttle services do not cater for those who require wheelchair access. Please contact our NTA office for specialised transport services.  

Kaitaia to Whangārei return Shuttle

Accommodating up to 21 passengers, please refer to the timetable for estimated departure and arrival times.  Please be at the designated departure point at least 15 minutes before departure time to ensure you do not miss your shuttle as they will not wait.

Kaitaia to Whangārei Shuttle Brochure 

Whangārei to Auckland return Shuttle

Accommodating up to 13 passengers, please refer to timetable for estimated departure and arrival times.

The Health Shuttle departs for Auckland from the front entrance at Whangārei Hospital.

Passengers will no longer be required to provide a negative Covid-19 RAT Test to travel via the shuttle. It is requested that passengers who have cold or flu like symptoms, in the interest of fellow passengers they find alternate transport to Auckland for their appointment.

Anybody subject to isolation requirements must not travel by shuttle.

Those who self-transport may be eligible for assistance, to check this we ask that they contact the NTA team on 0800 682 684.

Whangārei to Auckland Shuttle Brochure

The Health Shuttles do not accept fare-paying passengers.

National Travel Assistance (NTA)

For those eligible, the NTA scheme can provide subsidised travel and accommodation assistance for those seeking healthcare within the public health system. Not everybody is eligible for NTA. Check your eligibility here or contact your social worker or the Te Whatu Ora NTA office on 0800 682 684.

Private Shuttle Services 

These health shuttles operate with volunteers and appreciate donations for their services. Private shuttle services are non affiliated with Te Whatu Ora Te Tai Tokerau.

Linking Hands Inc. Health Shuttle Services : 027 546 5464 for Whangarei, 09 431 8969 for Maungaturoto and Ruakaka; 09 431 5906 for Mangawhai

Kaipara Community Health Trust Health Shuttle : 09 439 3013

St John Kaikohe/Okaihau Health Shuttle : 09 401 1131

St John Russell Health Shuttle : 0274 600 350

Click here for the full policy on the Ministry of Health website.