Overnighter bus Auckland to Palmerston North

by | Nov 8, 2024 | Aotearoa New Zealand

“Go far, you’ll be loved more (Egyptian proverb).” I started the weekend last Friday via the overnighter bus from Manukau City to Palmerston North. The bus was on schedule leaving at a few minutes after 7:30 PM. There was light traffic on SH 1 and so we made good travel time. There were the major stops to pick-up or drop-off passengers: Hamilton, Cambridge, Rotorua, Taupo, and finally reaching Palmerston North at around 4:30 AM. We had three (30-minute breaks). Drivers needed to have frequent breaks. Well, that’s a very good idea. It was a double-decker bus and I was seated at the top, right-side, three rows from the front. I was in the Gold class section because it was a long trip and I needed more room to stretch my body and legs.

SH 1 on Desert Road was closed, so we had to go through the backroads after Taupo. We were perhaps 45 minutes out of Taupo when I heard a very loud bang near the front-left side of the bus. I knew that our bus did hit something!

Yes, there are still wild deer roaming in the forests near Desert Road in New Zealand. The region, located in the central North Island and extending near the Tongariro National Park, has varied landscapes, including forests, tussock lands, and mountainous terrain, which offer suitable habitat for wild deer populations, particularly red deer and sika deer. These animals were introduced to New Zealand in the 19th and 20th centuries and have since adapted well to the landscape.

Yes, it was a deer that the bus hit. The driver was explaining to us when we had our scheduled stop minutes away from Palmerston North. He said that the deer had already crossed when it decided to reverse back, that’s why it got hit. I saw the huge dent on the fenders of the bus. The driver said he didn’t know if the deer survived the impact.

Hunters often frequent areas near Desert Road, as the forested parts are known for deer sightings, especially in areas around the Kaimanawa and Kaweka Ranges. However, deer numbers and visibility may vary due to factors like hunting, weather, and population control measures. According to the Department of Conservation, the area offers good hunting for red deer and pigs. However, one needs a permit to hunt on public conservation land.

Of course, the greenie in me, was hurting and bleeding from the demise of the deer. I do hope it did survive but if not, I wish it a happy, everlasting life, in the heavenly kingdom.