Motu Move - National Ticketing Solution

Motu Move rollout update 

Motu Move will now launch first in Greater Christchurch (Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri) in November 2025. The rollout will happen in phases, starting with the ability to pay using your debit/credit card or digital wallet on all buses and ferries. 

Metrocard, SuperGold and cash will continue to be accepted.

Timaru and Temuka will follow in a later phase — we’ll share more details as planning progresses. 

Read more about what’s changing below:

Canterbury leads the way

Canterbury will be the first region in Aotearoa to roll out the much-anticipated new National Ticketing Solution, named Motu Move. 

Motu Move is a national programme that will provide a range of easy-to-use payment methods that customers can use for all public transport across New Zealand. 

Canterbury was one of the first regions in the country to introduce contactless transport cards on buses and ferries with Metrocard more than 20 years ago. Now it’s time to lead the way again with Motu Move, beginning right here in Greater Christchurch.

Motu Move®

More ways to pay 

Motu Move will give customers more options when paying for public transport: 

  • Contactless debit or credit cards 
  • Digital wallets on mobile phones and smart watches (including Apple Pay and Google Pay) 
  • A prepaid Motu Move card (to be introduced in a later phase) 

During the phased rollout, Metrocard, SuperGold and cash will continue to be accepted. The prepaid Motu Move card will arrive in a later phase, with timing to be confirmed. 

When is it coming?

Motu Move will now begin in Greater Christchurch in November 2025, with a staged rollout across four phases. 

Phase One – November 2025 

  • Contactless debit/credit cards and digital wallets accepted on all buses and ferries 
  • Standard fares: $3 bus / $5 ferry 
  • No transaction fees 
  • No tag-off required in this phase 
  • Metrocard, SuperGold and cash remain valid, with concessions continuing through Metrocard 

See our FAQs for more on concessions, Metrocards, and future phases.

Future phases

Future phases will bring more features, including: 

  • Tag on/tag off 
  • The new Motu Move card 
  • Concessions built into the system 
  • We’ll share more details about future phases as they’re confirmed. 

Timaru and Temuka will now follow after Greater Christchurch. In the meantime, Timaru customers can continue to use debit/credit cards when travelling with the MyWay app. 

Testing new payments on Route 29 

We have been testing the new contactless payments on Route 29 (Airport – City) to help make sure things go smoothly once we roll out the new system. 

You can pay a standard Metrocard fare ($3) on Route 29 with your contactless debit or credit card, mobile phone or smart watch. You can still use your Metrocard to access concessions such as child fares and Community Services Card holder fares. Cash fares are also available during this pilot. 

Find out more about new ways to pay on Route 29 

Why are things changing? 

Motu Move will make paying for public transport simpler and more consistent across New Zealand, giving customers more choice and flexibility. 

In time, one system will work across all participating regions, replacing the need for separate cards. As new features like tag-on/tag-off are introduced, we’ll also be able to improve services by better understanding how people travel. 

We’ll be there to help you 

You don’t need to do anything yet. We’ll let you know well ahead of time if you need to take action. Our Motu Move ambassadors will also be out and about to help customers when the new system launches, and our Metroinfo team will be available if you have questions. 

FAQs and more information 

See our FAQs for details about concessions, Metrocards, and future phases. 

Visit the NZTA website to find out more about Motu Move and the National Ticketing Solution programme. 

Canterbury is proud to be leading the way with Motu Move, and we’ll make sure you’re supported every step of the journey.