Karan – KV on the Road

Most people know him as KV. He’s the friendly face behind the wheel in Tauranga – the one who greets you with a smile, remembers your name, and never seems to be having a bad day. But behind that calm presence is a young man carrying a whole world on his shoulders, one bus ride at a time.

KV was born in India and moved to New Zealand seeking opportunity, stability, and a place he could build a future not just for himself, but for his family back home. His younger brother is 25 and studying, and KV quietly takes on much of the responsibility of supporting him. “I’ve always got lots going on in my head,” he says. “I’m looking after my family from here.”

Despite the pressure, Tauranga has become a home — a place that helps him breathe.
“I love Tauranga because I like hiking in my free time,” he says. “Mount Maunganui… I love that place. The nature, the sun, everything around me makes me feel relaxed.”

Driving was always the dream.
“When I came here, I saw the buses and trucks and thought, one day I’m gonna drive one of those,” he says. Now he does — and takes immense pride in it. His parents back home didn’t quite believe him until he sent through a video. “Then they believed,” he laughs.

On the job, it’s the people who make each day different.
“I really have a lot of good passengers — ones who know me and ones I know. Some come onto the bus and shake my hand,” he says. Those moments make the early starts worth it.

School runs are a whole world of their own.
“In the morning, the kids are a bit sleepy, so it’s nice and calm,” he says. “But in the afternoons? They’re crazy, man,” he grins. “They’re all saying hello, hi… and when they get off, they say thank you, have a good day.”

Those small gestures hit home in ways he doesn’t say out loud often.

“If they say thanks, it really makes me feel good,” he says. “It means they’re happy with me.”

It’s simple, but it’s everything — a connection between driver and passenger, and a reminder that appreciation doesn’t need to be big to be meaningful.

For KV, Tauranga is a place of sunshine, stress, responsibility, ambition, and community — all wrapped into one moving window view. And every day he chooses to show up, smile, and drive forward, carrying more than just passengers on his route.