Party starts in karaoke taxi

A renowned North Shore ‘‘karaoke taxi’’ offers a party on the way to the party ... and sometimes counselling afterwards.

On a Friday and a Saturday night, the musical taxi is in full swing and driver Bob Ivanovic is well dressed for the lively occasions.

‘‘I own 65 scarves and 35 silly glasses,’’ Ivanovic, also famous for wearing a pair of flashing, whitesequined gloves, said.

The North Shore Taxi’s boot hides a karaoke machine, the roof - a disco light, and the inside seats share several microphones.

A camera is fixed to the front, to capture all the best of the night’s moments for passenger keepsakes.

The taxi is equipped with music for all ages, from 6 to 86 years old, Ivanovic said.

From rugby games to concerts, from school runs to all-night-long hen’s parties, the dynamic and versatile taxi suits all types.

In June 1995, Ivanovic immigrated from Serbia with his wife of 44 years and their two children. After settling in Birkenhead, he has been driving the karaoke taxi for 12 years.

But Ivanovic is not just a taxi driver, he is also a friend.

‘‘Deep in my heart, I have passengers that I love,’’ he said.

For his regular customers, there is nothing Ivanovic won’t do.

He has even gone as far as visiting a former passenger in hospital.

‘‘Sometimes at 2am, I spend just half an hour in the car just talking to people about their life problems,’’ he said.

‘‘If they call me at 3am because they are in trouble, I will be there.’’

As an avid music fan and former guitarist, Ivanovic said the karaoke taxi is fun and keeps him young.

‘‘I’m 71 years old, but by night I’m 55.’’

Regular passenger and North Shore resident Stuart Maxwell said Ivanovic has been driving him around since late 2003.

‘‘He always has the music on,’’ Maxwell said. ‘‘We use him at work quite a lot, as well as personally. He’s even driven my kids.

‘‘I used him on Friday for a night with some friends, and, when they saw him, they were like ‘ah, Bob’s here’.

‘‘Everyone knows him on the Shore,’’ he said.

Find Bob Ivanovic on Facebook for business inquiries.

LAINE MOGER/FAIRFAX NZ World famous on the North Shore, ‘‘karaoke taxi’’ driver Bob Ivanovic says he is 71 during the day, and 55 at night.