A Wellington taxi company has gone into liquidation after missing out on a crucial tender, meaning drivers could not join airport taxi ranks. 

While Kiwi Cabs drivers were still permitted to do drop-offs and pick-ups at Wellington Airport, the exclusion from the taxi ranks had a “material and immediate impact” on the company’s ability to trade, the liquidator said. 

Kiwi Cabs was placed into liquidation on January 28, and creditors have until February 27 to lodge any claims. 

Liquidator Bede Henderson said the company maintained a fleet of more than 100 cars until recently, with a significant chunk of its revenue generated through operations at Wellington Airport. 

Wellington Airport changed its taxi ranks late last year, saying there simply wasn’t room for everyone to operate. 

“We understand from talking to the director that changes implemented by Wellington Airport in late 2025, in relation to Kiwi Cabs’ operating arrangements, had a material and immediate impact on the company’s ability to trade,” Henderson told NZME. 

Waterstone Insolvency liquidator Bede Henderson said Kiwi Cabs' exclusion from the airport's taxi ranks had an immediate and material impact on the company's ability to trade. 

“The collapse of a long-standing local operator, following decisions made by a single dominant infrastructure provider, raises serious questions about how much protection small and medium-sized businesses have when access to essential facilities is altered.” 

As liquidators, Waterstone Insolvency is now investigating the circumstances of the company’s failure, including the impact of those decisions. 

Operating in the capital since 2008, the company has disabled the booking system on its website – though it is unclear when this happened. 

In an earlier statement on its website, director Sam Abraham said the airport changes had created “uncertainty for our driving workforce”. 

“As these changes were implemented, many drivers independently chose to join operators with confirmed airport access in order to maintain stable income under the new operating model,” Abraham said at the time. 

The company did not have enough drivers to reliably service pre-booked jobs late last year, but customers could still hail their vehicles on the road. 

“This outcome has been extremely difficult for our team and the many Wellington families whose livelihoods have historically depended on our operations,” Abraham said. 

The previous system at the airport, “first in, first out” was “highly valued” by drivers as it “ensured equitable access, predictable workflow, and fair earning opportunities across all authorised operators”, he said. 

Taxis waiting for a fare at Wellington International Airport. File photo / Mark Mitchell 

Airport spokesman Phil Rennie said they ran a “competitive, fair and open process to select taxi operators”. 

“There is a finite number of spaces available so we are careful to select those who best meet the needs of travellers and the airport. 

“Last year we put out a call for taxi operators to submit proposals to operate from the taxi pick-up ranks, and from that we selected four companies. A range of factors were looked at during the tender process, including price. 

“We understand it is disappointing for those who miss out but there simply isn’t room for every taxi company to operate here. 

“Any company that misses out can still collect pre-booked rides and drop-off passengers. Most taxi drivers also drive for Uber and Didi.”