This Dockless E-Scooter Service Is Turning to Contactless Food Delivery

Thanks to the transition from nationwide lockdown to COVID-19 Alert Level 3, the flood gates have opened for contactless takeaway and delivery in New Zealand. Whether you're after a proper flat white or a full-blown multi-course banquet, the Restaurant Association is calling on Kiwis to support independent operators by avoiding offshore delivery apps which can clip the ticket up to 35 percent.

If you can't make it direct to the source, there are plenty of locally-owned delivery options to choose from across the country — from car sharing services to Wellington-based owner-operator initiatives.

The latest to join the ranks comes from the first New Zealand-born electric scooter sharing scheme. Flamingo hit the streets with its fleet of florescent pink e-scooters last July. Local entrepreneurs Nick Hyland and Jacksen Love created the start-up to ease congestion on roads and help Kiwis get around their respective cities.

The company's Flamingo Food delivery platform comes in response to COVID-19 Level 3. Since conception four weeks ago, Flamingo has had more than 50 hospitality businesses sign up, while 100 delivery partners are standing by for their first orders.

Users of the service will be charged a flat rate fee of $5 for delivery, while at the other end Flamingo takes between 20–25 percent commission on all orders from hospitality operators to cover service, delivery and administration fees.

The e-scooter service will only deliver within approximately four kilometres of the chosen eatery to ensure the quality of the food being delivered. To use the Flamingo Food service in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, customers will need to download the free mobile app, available on the App Store and Google Play.

In an effort to help support local operators, the Restaurant Association has created the Dine Find resource to help hungry diners see which establishments are operating in their area. Contact your local eatery directly in the first instance and find out what they have in place.

Image: Flamingo.