NZTA are investigating a nine and a half hour $1033 Uber trip between Auckland and Wellington.

﻿An Uber driver who took an American couple on a nine-and-a-half hour trip from Auckland and Wellington is under investigation by NZTA.

New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) confirmed they were investigating the $1033 trip, which the Americans described as a "rescue" after being stranded by Cyclone Debbie, NZME reported.

Lisa and Matt Kottke, from Missouri, told NZME that driver Harpal Kang made the 650km trip through the middle of the night while the storm raged.

They reportedly had an appointment they "couldn't miss" in Wellington, but made it in the nick of time thanks to Kang.

READ MORE:

* Uber got caught tricking Apple, risking expulsion from App Store

* Tess Holliday opens up about Uber boycott

* Uber drops prices and eases driver restrictions in NZ

A spokeswoman for NZTA said Kang likely broke a rule that requires commercial drivers to take a break every five and a half hours.

Several people had complained about the trip to NZTA, prompting the agency to launch an investigation.

"As a safety regulator the NZ Transport Agency takes its obligations to ensure that anyone carrying passengers for a living is not putting the public at risk," a spokeswoman said in a statement.

"We don't condone drivers exceeding the permitted working hours or failing to take required breaks. The agency takes its role as a regulator seriously and will take appropriate action where there is non-compliance with the regulatory requirements."

An Uber source said drivers were encouraged to take breaks.

"Given the flexibility Uber provides, driver partners are free to take breaks whenever they choose and we encourage them to do just that whenever needed," he said in a written statement.

"The safety of our riders and driver-partners is a top priority, and we are clear in our community guidelines that if driver-partners are driving and feel tired, they should take a break.

"As the experts say, sleep is the only true preventative measure against the risks of drowsy driving."