Uber-forgetful: The unusual items passengers left behind
A single tooth denture, a Crusaders jersey and a Christmas ham are just some of the "perplexing" items abandoned in Uber vehicles over the past year.
According to the transport company's annual Lost and Found index, passengers left behind a trove of belongings which provide "a reflection of daily life" for New Zealanders across the motu.
Among the standouts included a single denture (tooth), a silver Walkman portable music player, a chilly bin and a hip brace.
Other interesting items included golf clubs and fishing rods, a piece of paper with a contact list, a Christmas ham and a Captain America Lego set.
Uber's director of consumer operations Mathieu Maire said the Index provided a "strangely intimate snapshot of life in motion".
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"People lose things for all kinds of reasons: they're in a rush, they're distracted, or they've got too much on their minds. And whether it's something practical or personal, there's often a story behind it."
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds including passengers stuck on ferry overnight, new flights to Sydney coming, and the weirdest things we leave in Ubers. (Source: 1News)
Clothing, backpacks, wallets and electronics including mobile phones, headphones and laptops topped the list for most common items forgotten.
Jewellery and makeup, umbrellas, vapes and keys also featured on that list.
The day most Kiwis forgot something in an Uber was June 15, 2024 — the same night the Warriors faced off against the Melbourne Storm.
"Go Media Stadium was packed, and while the final score may have been forgettable, so too were the contents left behind. Phones, wallets and other essentials didn't all make the return trip after the match," the report concluded.
The most common hour of the day to lose items was midnight, followed by 5am and 1am.
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"Whether riders are winding down, rushing to the airport or running on autopilot, it's in these quieter hours that possessions are most likely to be forgotten," he said.
The top five most forgetful cities (in order) were Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton and Queenstown.
How to get your forgotten items back
Open the Uber app and tap Activity on the bottom icon menu.
Select the trip on which you lost the item.
Scroll down to Find lost item in the Help section, and then Contact driver about a lost item.
Enter your phone number to call the driver.
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If your driver picks up and confirms that your item has been found, coordinate a mutually convenient time and place to meet for its return to you.
If your driver doesn't pick up, leave a detailed voicemail describing your item and the best way to contact you.
Remember to be considerate, the driver's schedule will be affected by taking time to return your item to you.
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