The driver of a bus which crashed down a bank on Christmas Eve has made his first appearance in court.

Sixty five-year-old Talakai Aholelei is facing 30 charges, including three of careless driving causing death.

A full Tongan brass band was on board, when the bus plunged down a bank on State Highway 2 near Gisborne.

Aholelei's been remanded on residential bail without plea, and has surrendered his passport.

He's due back in court in a month's time.

Defence lawyer Nalesoni Tupou argued they need the time to sift through the large amount of information in the unique case.