Lime Scooters have a new rival and you can start using them TODAY

After five months enjoying Auckland streets to itself, Lime e-scooters now have a rival.

Wave officially joined the city's e-scooter trial today with a powhiri yesterday at Te Puea Memorial Marae in Māngere.

Wave scooters will initially hit the streets today with 285 scooters, which is said to branch out to 1000, to match Lime.

Similar to Lime, it will cost $1 upfront, then 30 cents a minute, to ride a Wave scooter.

Meanwhile, bike-sharing operator Onzo has just added a 20c/minute scooter button to its app, hinting that its long-promised e-scooter launch could be close - and undercut its rivals. Onzo already has permission to join Auckland's e-scooter trial.

Guess we can guarantee scooters won't be leaving any time soon...