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Limited Licence Lawyer Whakatane

Limited licence application preparation for clients in Whakatane and the wider Bay of Plenty region.

If you live in Whakatane or the Eastern Bay of Plenty and have been disqualified or had your licence suspended, a limited licence may allow you to continue driving for essential purposes.

Eastern Bay transport

The Eastern Bay of Plenty has very limited public transport. While Whakatane has some local bus services, connections between Eastern Bay towns — Whakatane to Opotiki (60 km), Whakatane to Kawerau (25 km) — do not have regular bus services suitable for commuting. Rural areas throughout the Eastern Bay have no public transport at all.

Hardship arguments

The Eastern Bay's reliance on primary industries means many workers must drive to rural or remote locations. Kiwifruit orchards, dairy farms, forestry operations, and the Kawerau mill all require vehicle access. Combined with the lack of inter-town public transport, this creates clear hardship when a licence is lost.

Common situations include orchard and packhouse workers during harvest season, forestry workers driving to remote logging areas, mill workers commuting to Kawerau, and parents in rural areas with no school bus.

Filing at Whakatane District Court

Applications are filed at Whakatane District Court, which serves the entire Eastern Bay of Plenty.

Our service

We prepare complete limited licence applications for $749 + GST. All documents are prepared by a qualified lawyer and formatted for the Whakatane District Court.

Whakatane District Court

Address: 7 Pyne Street, Whakatane 3120

Filing notes: Whakatane District Court handles limited licence applications for the Eastern Bay of Plenty including Whakatane, Opotiki, Kawerau, and Ohope. Standard filing fees apply.

Police prosecutor — Whakatane

A copy of your limited licence application must be served on the police prosecutor before your hearing. The responsible office for Whakatane District Court is:

Whakatane Prosecutions

Phone: (07) 308 2323

Address: PO Box 282, Whakatane 3120

Public transport in Whakatane

Whakatane has very limited local bus services. The Eastern Bay of Plenty — including Opotiki, Kawerau, Ohope, and Edgecumbe — has minimal or no public transport connecting these towns. Distances between towns are significant, and rural communities have no transport options at all.

Employment and industry

The Eastern Bay of Plenty economy relies on dairy farming, kiwifruit and avocado orchards, forestry, and fishing. The Kawerau pulp and paper mill is a major employer. Seasonal horticultural work brings many workers to the area. Many residents drive between Eastern Bay towns for work, a journey that is impractical without a car.

Frequently asked questions — Whakatane

Seasonal employment that requires driving can support a hardship argument. If you need to drive to orchards or packhouses and there is no public transport to those locations, this is relevant. The seasonal and time-sensitive nature of the work can be a further factor.

Learn more about limited licences

The hardship test

What evidence the court needs under s105.

How to file your application

Step-by-step filing and service guide.

The 28-day stand-down

When it applies and what to do during it.

Conditions on your licence

What the court restricts and why.

Need a limited licence in Whakatane?

Check if you qualify in 60 seconds. Our eligibility quiz will tell you whether you can apply and what to expect.