New Zealand's first end-to-end vehicle compliance and fleet management app, delivering NZTA data integration and automated RUC payments for over 75,000 vehicles nationwide.
Bonnet Limited is a New Zealand vehicle compliance and fleet management startup founded in March 2023 by Mount Maunganui-based entrepreneur Steph Kennard and CTO Dave Webb. The company developed an app-based platform that connects directly to NZTA data, allowing users to simply enter their licence plate to instantly retrieve WOF, COF, registration, and Road User Charges information. What began as a simple compliance reminder tool has rapidly grown into New Zealand's third-largest vehicle software platform, with over 75,000 vehicles now managed through the system. Bonnet's core innovation in the RUC space is its 'set and forget' automatic RUC payment feature, which allows vehicle owners to select 1,000 km, 5,000 km, or 10,000 km increments and have the system automatically purchase new RUC licences when their distance is running low. This feature became especially relevant when light electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids were required to pay RUC from April 2024, driving hundreds of daily sign-ups from EV owners seeking an easy way to manage their new obligation. The platform is free for up to five vehicles and operates on a subscription model for larger fleets, with RUC and registration purchases charged at NZTA rates plus a $6 Bonnet service fee. In October 2024, Bonnet launched an equity crowdfunding campaign on PledgeMe, raising NZ$161,903 from 99 investors at a pre-money valuation of $4 million. The company has announced plans for international expansion, starting with the UK market where they have already established data access to government vehicle systems. Notable fleet customers include Mainfreight, St John, Hirepool, NZ Police, NZ Build Group, Dunedin Airport, Mevo (car-sharing), and Victor Contractors. Bonnet is backed by Enterprise Angels (EA Fund 4) and raised strategic investment through a Catalist preference share listing at $0.825 per share. The platform also offers GPS fleet tracking, geofencing, daily trip logs, and workshop management features for automotive service providers.
Free mobile app for up to five vehicles. Users enter their licence plate and Bonnet instantly retrieves NZTA data including WOF, COF, registration, and RUC status. Provides automated reminders for upcoming compliance deadlines and digitises service records. Available on iOS and Android.
Subscription-based fleet management platform for businesses with three or more vehicles. Includes all personal features plus a web-based dashboard for fleet administrators, dual monitoring of drivers and office staff, bulk NZTA data updates, GPS fleet tracking with live locations, geofencing, daily trip logs, and consolidated compliance reporting across the entire fleet.
Automated Road User Charges purchasing feature launched December 2025 as a New Zealand first. Vehicle owners choose 1,000 km, 5,000 km, or 10,000 km RUC increments and the system auto-purchases new RUC licences from NZTA when remaining distance runs low. Odometer tracking via fortnightly app notifications (free) or automatic plug-in device ($190+GST upfront, $20+GST monthly). RUC purchases at NZTA rates plus $6 Bonnet service fee and 1.5% direct debit or 3% credit card processing fee.
Automated vehicle registration renewal feature launched in late 2025, extending the 'set and forget' concept from RUC to registration payments. Ensures vehicles maintain continuous registration without manual intervention.
Software tools for automotive workshops and service centres, enabling digital management of customer vehicle records, service histories, and compliance tracking.
Co-founder Steph Kennard, while working at Fiat Chrysler, identified the lack of a comprehensive vehicle compliance management tool, sparking the idea for Bonnet.
Bonnet Limited registered on 23 January 2019 (Company Number 7224833, NZBN 9429047237667).
Development of the Bonnet platform begins with co-founder and CTO Dave Webb.
Bonnet app officially launched in March 2023 from Mount Maunganui. Reached #1 on the NZ App Store within three weeks, beating Google, TikTok, and Auckland Transport. Achieved 20,000 vehicles registered in the first two weeks. Completed three-month beta test with 45 fleet companies including Dunedin Airport, St John, Mevo, and Victor Contractors.
Surpassed 55,000 vehicles by early 2024, becoming NZ's third-largest vehicle software platform. Experienced surge in EV owner sign-ups when light EV RUC exemption ended in April 2024. Launched 'set and forget' auto-purchase for RUC and registration. Web portal launched in February with 68% beta-to-paid conversion. PledgeMe crowdfunding raised NZ$161,903 from 99 investors at $4M pre-money valuation in October. Secured investment from Enterprise Angels (EA Fund 4). Listed preference shares on Catalist (NZ's growth stock exchange) at NZ$0.825/share. Announced UK expansion plans with bonnetapp.co.uk and DVLA data access.
Continued growth to over 75,000 vehicles (5,041 paying fleet vehicles). Launched GPS fleet tracking features including daily trip logs, geofencing, and live vehicle locations. Introduced tiered premium plans for personal and fleet users. Achieved 501% revenue growth since 2024 raise, reaching approximately $360K ARR. In December 2025, announced Auto RUC and Auto Rego - a New Zealand first enabling all vehicle owners to 'set and forget' both RUC and registration payments with automatic odometer tracking via a $190+GST plug-in device.
Co-Founder & CEO
Mount Maunganui-based entrepreneur and self-taught designer. Previously worked at FCA Fiat Chrysler (from 2014) where she identified the gap in vehicle compliance management. Majority shareholder of Bonnet Limited. Leads business strategy, growth, and public-facing operations. Featured on RNZ Nine to Noon and in NZ Herald, NZ Entrepreneur Magazine, and Bay of Plenty Business News.
Co-Founder & CTO
University of Waikato graduate with over 25 years of startup experience including roles at LOVEFiLM and Zoopla in the UK. Leads the technical development of the Bonnet platform and its NZTA data integration.
Chairman
Board chairman providing governance and strategic oversight. Appointed director 15 April 2025.
Board Advisor
Advisory board member supporting company strategy and growth.
Bonnet is a consumer-facing vehicle compliance platform that has become one of the most accessible ways for New Zealand drivers to monitor and manage their Road User Charges. The company's core RUC feature connects directly to NZTA data to display a vehicle's current RUC status, remaining distance, and purchase history. Their 'set and forget' auto-purchase feature allows both individual and fleet vehicles to maintain continuous RUC compliance without manual intervention, purchasing new licences automatically when remaining distance runs low.
No notable events found for this organization.
7224833
9429047237667
NZ Limited Company
23 Jan 2019
30 Marine Parade, Mount Maunganui, 3116, New Zealand
J542010 - Computer software publishing
David Eldor
Auckland, New Zealand
Stephanie Jacoba Ingrid Kennard
Mount Maunganui, New Zealand
5,292,561 total shares
Stephanie Jacoba Ingrid Kennard
3,110,000 shares · Mount Maunganui, New Zealand
FKA Nominees Limited
397,139 shares · Auckland, New Zealand
EA Nominee Limited
373,460 shares · Tauranga, New Zealand
Piriaka Farms Limited
303,030 shares · Taumarunui, New Zealand
Catalist Nominee Limited
301,624 shares · Auckland, New Zealand
David Webb
236,858 shares · Tauranga, New Zealand
Charlie and Co Agency Limited
213,930 shares · Mount Maunganui, New Zealand
NZVC 2 LP
181,818 shares · Auckland, New Zealand
James Alexander Cowie
114,096 shares · Blenheim, New Zealand
Icehouse Ventures Nominees Limited
60,606 shares · Auckland, New Zealand
Source: NZ Companies Office · Last checked February 2026
View on Companies RegisterAnalysis of notable corporate and institutional shareholders. Individual shareholders are excluded.
Flying Kiwi Angels
FKA Nominees Limited
Flying Kiwi Angels is an Auckland-based angel investment network founded in 2014 with around 50 investors. They focus on pre-seed investments under $500K in tech startups. FKA Nominees Limited holds shares on behalf of the network's member investors. Portfolio includes Kami, Fuel50, and StretchSense.
Enterprise Angels
EA Nominee Limited
Enterprise Angels is a Tauranga-based angel investor network launched in 2008 with 200+ members. They have invested $50M+ across 100+ NZ companies and manage 330 investors across 63 active portfolio companies. Focus areas include software (39%), hardware (26%), and agtech (23%). Portfolio includes Parrot Analytics, LawVu, UBCO, and FileInvite.
Catalist
Catalist Nominee Limited
Catalist is New Zealand's only licensed and regulated stock exchange for growth businesses, an alternative to the NZX designed for smaller companies. It facilitates capital raising and secondary share trading via auctions. Catalist Nominee Limited holds legal ownership of shares on behalf of retail and institutional investors trading on the Catalist platform.
Founder's Company
Charlie and Co Agency Limited
Charlie and Co Agency is the digital agency owned by Stephanie Kennard, who is also the founder and CEO of Bonnet. Originally incorporated as 'White Ice Limited' in January 2019, the company provides website design, app development, and SaaS development. This shareholding represents the founder's equity stake in Bonnet held through her own company.
NZVC Fund II
NZVC 2 LP
NZVC is an Auckland-based early-stage venture capital firm co-founded by Mark Pavlyukovskyy. Fund II targets $50M, investing in 50-60 founders at pre-seed to Series A with a 70% NZ focus. Key themes include AI/automation, robotics, human enhancement, and sovereignty tech. Fund I invested in 53 companies achieving a 1.5x multiple on invested capital.
Icehouse Ventures
Icehouse Ventures Nominees Limited
Icehouse Ventures is New Zealand's most active venture capital investor, originally founded in 2003 as Ice Angels - NZ's first angel network. They have invested $600M+ into 350+ NZ companies with over $1B in assets under management, backed by 3,000+ investors across six continents. Notable portfolio companies include Halter, Tracksuit, Partly, Hnry, and Dawn Aerospace.
