Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Major operators include the following:
Apollo
(
0800 113 131, 09-889 2976;
www.apollocamper.co.nz
)
Britz
(
0800 831 900, 09-255 3910;
www.britz.co.nz
)
Also does 'Britz Bikes' (add a mountain or city bike from $13
per day).
Kea
(
0800 520 052, 09-448 8800)
Maui
(
0800 651 080, 09-255 3910;
www.maui.co.nz
)
United Campervans
(
0800 759 919, 09-275 9919;
www.unitedcampervans.co.nz
)
Wilderness Motorhomes
(
09-255 5300;
www.wilderness.co.nz
)
BACKPACKER VAN RENTALS
Budget players in the campervan industry offer slick deals and funky (often gregariously spray-painted with Jimi
Hendrix,
Where The Wild Things Are,
Sly Stone etc), well-kitted-out vehicles for backpackers. Rates are competitive
(from $35/50 per day for a two-/four-berth van May to September; from $100/150 per day December to February).
Operators include the following:
Backpacker Sleeper Vans
(
0800 321 939, 03-359 4731;
www.sleepervans.co.nz
)
Escape Campervans
(
0800 216 171;
www.escaperentals.co.nz
)
Hippie Camper
(
0800 113 131;
www.hippiecamper.co.nz
)
Jucy
(
0800 399 736, 09-374 4360;
www.jucy.co.nz
)
Mighty Cars & Campers
(
0800 422 267;
www.mightycampers.co.nz
)
Spaceships
(
0800 772 237, 09-526 2130;
www.spaceshipsrentals.co.nz
)
Wicked Campers
(
0800 246 870, 09-634 2994;
www.wickedcampers.co.nz
)
Car Hire
Competition between car-rental companies in NZ is torrid, particularly in the big cities. Remember that if you want to
travel far, you need unlimited kilometres. Some (but not all) companies require drivers to be at least 21 years old − ask
around.
Most car-hire firms suggest (or insist) that you don't take their vehicles between islands on the Cook Strait ferries. In-
stead, you leave your car at either Wellington or Picton terminal and pick up another car once you've crossed the strait.
This saves you paying to transport a vehicle on the ferries, and is a pain-free exercise.
INTERNATIONAL RENTAL COMPANIES
The big multinational companies have offices in most major cities, towns and airports. Firms sometimes offer one-way
rentals (eg collect a car in Auckland, leave it in Wellington), but there are often restrictions and fees. On the other hand,
an operator in Christchurch may need to get a vehicle back to Auckland and will offer an amazing one-way car reloca-
tion deal (sometimes free!).
The major companies offer a choice of either unlimited kilometres, or 100km (or so) per day free, plus so many cents
per subsequent kilometre. Daily rates in main cities typically start at around $40 per day for a compact, late-model,
Japanese car, and around $75 for medium-sized cars (including GST, unlimited kilometres and insurance).
