Supporting our locals

April 2026

Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre made it easier for families to visit in the April school holidays, with a free return bus from Masterton running on three special days. 

Thanks to its long-standing partnership with Tranzit Coachlines, Pūkaha removed one of the biggest barriers for families to visit – cost and transport. On three days, children attending Pūkaha’s popular Junior Rangers programme, as well as the general public, could jump aboard the free bus service. Two buses ran at separate times to encourage more families to experience Pūkaha, the mainland indigenous wildlife sanctuary located on SH2, approximately 20 minutes north of Masterton.

Diane Grayson, Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre’s Chief of Awesome knows how travel costs can quickly add up for families. “By offering free transport for our Junior Rangers as well as members of the wider community, we’re opening the door for more people to visit and connect with this special place. We recognise the ongoing cost-of-living pressures and rising fuel prices are putting even greater pressure on families these school holidays, so we’re thrilled to partner with Tranzit Coachlines to help families get out of the house and into nature.”

Brady Powell, our Tranzit Coachlines Wairarapa Company Manager, was proud to support the initiative. “Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre is a real jewel in our community and by running these free bus services on three special days, we can help families during a time when many are feeling the pressure of increased fuel costs”, he says. “By doing our bit to ensure families have the opportunity to experience the natural environment and enjoy a bus trip along the way, is a win win for us.”

March 2026

Two Masterton icons share a rich history

Wairarapa welcomed international and national competitors to the region for the 2026 World Shearing Championships and Golden Shears Champs in March providing a timely opportunity for Tranzit to reflect on the rich history we share with this iconic event.

Did you know, the concept for the Golden Shears was sparked during a Blue Bus Service (now Tranzit) journey to Wairoa in 1959?

On the maiden run of our No.9, it took a group of Masterton Young Farmers to a shearing competition in Wairoa. During the bus ride back one topic of conversation revolved around ‘who was the best shearer in the district’? Two great mates Laurie Keats and Scotty Stewart decided the only way to settle the question was to establish a national shearing competition – which has been held at the Masterton War Memorial Stadium since 1961. This story highlights how Tranzit has often been at the heart of this community for 100 years and how it shares a rich history with another local icon.

The Golden Shears goes from strength to strength each year and we enjoy transporting many of the competitors, officials and judges who take part.

December 2025

Pack the Bus

Giving back to communities in need during the festive season is the key focus for Pack the Bus, an annual campaign that Tranzit has supported in Whanganui, Palmerston North and Wairarapa for several years.

This heart-warming initiative sees a dedicated Tranzit bus visit schools, public spaces and businesses to collect donated Xmas presents and non-perishable food items from members of the public. Once the bus is packed; these donated goods are then redistributed to families in need during the festive season via official agencies.

We are grateful to our key partners Media Works and Property Brokers and to councils in each of the regions we operate this amazing campaign, which sees the community come together in the spirit of generosity.

November 2025

School bus road safety in the spotlight

Tranzit Coachlines won the Road Safety in the Community category award at the 2025 Australasian Fleet Champions Awards held in Auckland.

This was for our ongoing commitment to promoting School Bus Safety and supporting road safety messages – something Tranzit has actively promoted for over 20 years. The awards evening was sponsored by Autosense, with MC sports broadcaster Stephen McIvor and special guest Greg Murphy.

Our team takes time to remind students and school communities about key safety messages including:

• Reminding all road users to slow down to 20km when driving past a stationary school bus in both directions
• Educating students travelling on the school bus about best bus behaviour – including when getting on and off the bus and travelling in the bus – that allows the driver to focus on driving duties and not be distracted at work;
• Reminding students and school communities of their individual responsibilities around school buses to support our drivers to perform their roles safely;
• Promoting general road safety and sustainability messages.

October 2025

Entertaining passengers with unique performance

When our Tranzit Coachlines Taranaki team had the chance to support a bus ride like no other, they jumped at the chance. Supporting the ReImagine  festival, organised by the Taranaki Arts Festival Trust, our bus transformed into a stage with the show Back of the Bus. This saw one of our buses wind through the streets of New Plymouth with a fearless cast of dancers – leaping, swinging, and sliding in a whirlwind of physical comedy, kinetic energy and outrageous scenarios. This unusual but highly entertaining performance blended athleticism, absurdity, and imagination, creating a magical mystery tour that left passengers delighted.

September 2025

Creating memorable experiences for local school kids

Four Hawke’s Bay primary schools were provided a unique opportunity this winter to an ongoing sponsorship between Tranzit Coachlines and the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Football Union (HBRFU).

For the fourth year in a row, Tranzit’s sponsorship allows for 15 school kids from four different schools the chance to join Magpies players as they run out onto the McLean Park pitch in each of their NPC home games this season. Each student is given a special t-shirt as well as a ticket for themselves and a caregiver to attend the game. In addition, a fifth group of students were chosen for a charity game.

HBRFU Community Partnership Manager Jason Long says the sponsorship between the two organisations is for the benefit of the community.  “We know many kids have never had the opportunity to come to a Magpies game – let alone run out onto McLean Park, so to be able to partner with Tranzit Coachlines to provide this wonderful experience is just fantastic,” says Jason.

This unique opportunity for local kids to meet their rugby heroes, run out onto McLean Park and get a feel for all that happens behind the scenes on a big game day is something Tranzit is happy to facilitate.

The smiles on the kids’ faces from the Magpies first two home games of the NPC (see side photo) season say it all.