Tauranga residents will soon be able to get on board with Ola.

One of the world's largest rideshare programmes is expanding across the country into Hamilton, Tauranga, Rotorua, Taupō, Napier, Hastings, Dunedin, Palmerston North, Nelson, New Plymouth and Queenstown.

It's been in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch for the past year.

The rideshare app will bring more competition and choice for both users and drivers in the area, Brian Dewil, New Zealand Ola manager says.

"Over the past year, hundreds of thousands of Kiwis have benefited from riding with Ola and it's time we offered the same choice in Hamilton.

"We also want to offer drivers here the opportunity to make more money on their own schedule – whether it's driving during weekend and evening peaks, or during seasonal periods."

Ola's phone app has safety features such as an emergency button that sends ride details to friends, family and emergency services, including real-time tracking of the car.

The company is currently recruiting drivers to sign up to the platform, and those who sign up by New Year's Eve will be rewarded with an introductory commission of nine per cent.

When Ola goes live to customers later this month, all new users will receive $5 off their first three rides if they sign up to the app by December 31.

Drivers can learn more about registering and driving with Ola by visiting: ola.co.nz/driver.

-Stuff.co.nz