Howick and Eastern Buses began as a humble, family-owned bus service dedicated to connecting the communities of Auckland’s eastern suburbs. What started as a few local routes serving schools and commuters has grown over the decades into a trusted transport provider known for reliability, safety, and personalized service. From the early days of running small, community-focused buses, the company expanded its fleet and routes to meet the needs of a rapidly growing region, adding services to key suburbs such as Howick, Pakuranga, and Botany. Over time, Howick and Eastern introduced charter services, providing flexible travel solutions for school trips, corporate events, sports teams, and private groups. With each journey, the company has maintained its commitment to comfort, safety, and professionalism, ensuring that every passenger enjoys a smooth and pleasant ride. Partnering with AT Metro, Howick and Eastern now plays a vital role in Auckland’s public transport network, combining modern buses with experienced drivers and a customer-first approach. Today, our story continues as we strive to provide seamless, reliable, and community-focused transport solutions. Whether it’s daily school runs, event charters, or commuter services, Howick and Eastern Buses is proud to keep Auckland moving—one journey at a time.
Thomas Hadfield founded Eastern Buses with a single scheduled service running between Eastern Beach and Auckland using two buses. The company relocated to Bucklands Beach a year later and steadily expanded its services
Eastern Buses acquired the rival Howick Buses, which had started bus services in the area as early as 1904. The two companies merged to form Howick & Eastern Buses, expanding the combined fleet in 1983.
In 2008, the Dalbeth family sold Howick & Eastern to Souter Holdings (later known as the InMotion Group), a UK-based transport company owned by Scottish tycoon Sir Brian Souter.
Souter Investments sold Howick & Eastern Buses to Transdev, a multinational public transport company. Transdev already operated Auckland's commuter trains and subsequently acquired other bus operators.
As part of Transdev, Howick & Eastern operates under contract for Auckland Transport (AT) as part of the wider AT Metro network. It provides urban, school, and charter bus services in eastern and southern Auckland, a role it continues today.
