After enjoying a five-month monopoly Lime e-scooters could feel the squeeze with an arch-rival coasting on to Auckland streets.
The Herald put the two e-scooters to the test with one unsuspecting member of the public who gave both a whip around Victoria Park.
For Dempsey Fruean, a former Lime juicer, the Wave could not beat the allure of the speedy Lime scooter.
"As soon as I kick-off [on the Lime], I am full on boosting it."
The Wave takes its sweet time, Fruean said.
"It's safer. That's all I can say. It is a really safe scooter," he said.
"I liked both scooters but this one [Lime] can cane hard.
"If you wanna be safe though, hit the Wave."
Wave scooters launched yesterday and are licensed to have up to 500 scooters whizzing around the city centre and surrounding areas between 5am and 1am until the end of March.
The e-scooters have a top speed of 25km/h but software prevents the scooters from exceeding 15km/h on Queen St, Wynyard Quarter and the Viaduct Basin.
This it where the newbie differs from Lime, which boasts a top speed of about 30km/h, regardless of where its scooters are riding.
Lime was forced to take a hiatus on February 22 after a braking glitch but arrived back on Auckland's streets on March 2 with tougher safety and reporting conditions imposed by the Auckland Council.
The wheel-locking malfunction had led to 155 reported incidents - 92 of which were in Auckland, and of those 30 resulted in injury.
Auckland Transport chief executive Shane Ellison said Wave had assured the council its model had received no reports of brakes locking, or any other known issues.
"It has also provided assurance that it will recall its fleet immediately if any malfunctions occur, until these issues are addressed."
Three officers were seen running after a man on the ride-on lawnmower.