In a first for New Zealand, a self-driving autonomous vehicle has been let loose on the Tauranga Eastern Link today.

The demonstration was the highlight of the final day of The New Zealand Traffic Institute's annual Transportation Conference which has taken place at Tauranga's Trinity Wharf since Wednesday.

The demonstration took place on a stretch of the TEL between Te Maunga roundabout and Domain Road, and along for the ride in the passenger seat was Transport Minister and Local MP Simon Bridges.

The purpose of the demonstration, run in collaboration by Trafinz, Volvo, The New Zealand Transport Agency and the Ministry of Transport, was to show how a self-driving vehicle can handle the country's road conditions safely and efficiently.

Volvo Cars NZ general manager Coby Duggan says the self-driving vehicle uses sophisticated technology to navigate the road, with driver interaction only required to periodically confirm the presence of a driver.

During the demonstration the technology operated at ‘level 2' – a global standard which measures the degree of the vehicle's autonomy, he explains.

Simon Bridges speaking at the conference today.

'Under level 2, or partial automation, the automated system executes accelerating, braking, and steering, however the driver will be required to interact with the vehicle and intervene if necessary as they are ultimately responsible for how the vehicle operates.

'By 2021 we expect Volvo's to be at level 4, or high automation, where the system will monitor the driving environment and maintain control even if the driver does not intervene when advised by the vehicle.”

Coby says the next stage of evolution from there is level 5, or full automation, meaning the car would have complete control under all road and environmental conditions thus relieving the driver of responsibility.

While the prospect of self-driving vehicles will have techno-buffs all in a tizzy with excitement, the question still remains – will an autonomous vehicle eventually be able to self-drive itself to a drive-thru and order its human a burger and fries?