Hiring your camper to visit New Zealand

1 - What models of van can be rented in New Zealand?

1 - What models of van can be rented in New Zealand?

There are many types of campervans for hire in New Zealand with different sizes from 2 to 5 berth, some high quality, some more basic, some rental company includes all the equipment in the rate, some company charges for everything. 
However most of them are less than 5.5m long and they don't have a shower onboard. They have a bed and some sort of cooking facilities.
The Self Contained version have a fix toilet in the vehicle and water tanks. 
 

  Please some examples of campers below ...      

Campers for solo travellers and couples

Campers for up to 3 passengers *

Campers for 4 to 5 passengers *

* Please let us if you travel with a child, not all campers can fit child seats.

2 - How to choose your van for a trip to New Zealand?

To choose your van for a trip to New Zealand, you must select the right size, the general quality of the van and whether it is self contained or not.

Size:
There are vans for 1, 2, 3 or 4 people but be careful just because the van is for 4 people does not mean it will automatically be larger or more spacious than the one for 2 people. This only means that there are 4 beds and 4 seat belts inside.
So at a minimum, you must select the van which has the number of beds and belts equal to the number of passengers.

In terms of model, you have the choice between HiTop, standard vans or those that look like station Wagon.

MPV vans or Station Wagon are compact, very maneuverable, easy to drive, generally they are the least expensive but being compact, cooking is generally done outside. These are vans for 2 people. It is not possible to stand up inside. Our partner Spaceships offers this type of van, the Spaceships Beta van is the perfect example.

Standard vans are quite spacious, with storage, they do not exceed 5.5m in length. You can't stand up inside but there is a table and bench that converts into a bed. Cooking is done outside, at the back of the vehicle. Our "Best Seller" is the Escape van which is at a great price all year round and of good quality even if it is very basic.

HiTop vans: These are the most spacious vehicle without being longer. These are generally those that are for 4 people but there are also some for 2 or 3 and even 5 people. You can cook inside the van and stand inside. Our partner Travelers Autobarn has the "Kuga" van which is very popular due to its very good quality and numerous equipment.  


The quality of the van:
There is really everything in terms of quality for vans, so you have to be vigilant! Age is an important factor but it is not the only denominator. Some older vans are still of good quality. Maintenance, on the other hand, is an essential factor. Are the vans well maintained? are they clean? Is the equipment in good condition? What happen in case of breakdown?
Unfortunately it is difficult to know all this unless you have the experience and deal with the companies often. Contact us for this. 

Is the van self contained?
Do you need a self contained van?
 
A self-contained van is a certified vehicle that has a fresh water tank, a waste water tank, a fixed toilet in the vehicle, a sink and a trash can with a lid.
It is advisable to take a self-contained van if you want to do a lot of freedom camping. However note that the chemical toilet in the van is not practical to use. The toilet now being fixed due to the new legislation restricts the remaining living space. Since 2023, Self Contained vehicle must have a fixed toilet and no more portable ones.

If you plan to do some freedom camping for only a few nights, perhaps a Self Contained van is not the best solution. In fact you can stay in certain DOC campsites without an SC vehicle and the experience will be the same. The rental price will also be cheaper.

3 - How are vans equipped in New Zealand?

The rental vans are equipped with a seating area in the vehicle which converts into a double bed, a kitchen area with either a small fridge or a cooler. There is another double bed for the 4 berth vans.
Self contained vans have a chemical toilet which is now fixed in the vehicle (new legislation to be self contained).
There is of course all the kitchen equipment (plates, bowls, cup, glass, a colander, saucepan, frying pan, cutlery, etc.) and all the bedding (duvet, sheet and bath towel). The equipment is basic but complete.

The majority also have a radio and AUX or USB socket to connect your mobile phones. Please note that sometimes vehicles do not have one, so we advise you to take a small portable Bluetooth speaker in this case.

Camping table and chairs, solar shower, portable heater, GPS are optional and must be requested separately.

4 - What is the insurance for vans?

Insurance for van rentals in New Zealand are actually excess reductions but most of rental companies call them "insurance" to make things easier. There are 3 types of insurance:

Standard insurance included in the price: This is automatically included in the base price and includes an excess of $3000 to $5000. In the event of an accident, whether it is your fault or not, the van rental company uses the excess that it has previously debited or frozen to repair your van.

Intermediate insurance: When this is offered, it costs around $20/day and reduces the excess to $1500/$2000. We do not recommend this intermediate insurance because you pay a daily amount but you still have an excess in the event of an accident!

All-inclusive insurance: It costs between $30 and $55 depending on the rental company and the age of the driver. It covers the excess in its entirety. If you have an accident you pay nothing whether it was your fault or not.
Please note, however, that there are always exceptions. Ask us for more information

5 - What budget should you plan for renting a van in New Zealand?

The price for renting a van in New Zealand is between NZ$150 and NZ$250 per day in high season.
In spring and autumn, van prices are between NZ$110 and NZ$200 per day.
In low season, in winter, prices are between NZ$50 and $150 per day.

You can then include insurance at NZ$30 per rental day so you don't have a large sum to pay in the event of an accident.
 
The ferry crossing between the two islands of New Zealand is a significant budget. Count around $400NZD for the van and 2 adults.

The “gasoline” budget for 3 weeks of travel will be approximately $1100NZD. This corresponds to approximately 3000km of gasoline.

The “food” budget for 3 weeks of travel will be approximately between $700NZD and $1000NZD. Note that this is subjective but it is for 3 meals per day taken in the van.

The "activity" budget can be very low if you only want to go hiking, enjoy nature and beautiful landscapes or very high if you want to fly over Milford Sound, walk on the glacier, see the whales in Kaikoura, and much more.

6 - Where to sleep with your van in New Zealand?

With your van in New Zealand, you can sleep in paid campsites such as the Top 10 or Kiwi Holidays parks, in DOC campsites, in free campsites set up by the regions or go freedom camping if your van is self-contained

The Top 10 or Kiwi Holidays park campsites charge between $50NZD and $80NZD per day for a van and 2 adults. They provide showers, a kitchen equipped with fridge, microwave, washing machines and much more. The setting is pleasant and it is secure.

DOC (Department Of Conservation) campsites are in national or regional parks. They are quite basic but in an exceptional natural setting. The price is also attractive! Basic DOC campsites are free and the best equipped cost $20NZD per adult. You can purchase a 30-day subscription for $95NZD per adult. This gives you access to the 200 DOC campsites without having to pay.

Freedom camping and free campsites, it is legally allowed to go freedom camping in New Zealand when the vehicle is self contained and the area in which you are staying does not prohibit it. Find the most popular freedom camping sites on the following two applications.
Campermate and Rankers

7 - Should I hire a “Self-Contained” van?

You should know that since June 2023, the legislation in New Zealand has changed slightly regarding self-contained vehicles.
Indeed, since this 2023 to obtain the new self-contained certificate, the vehicle must be equipped with toilets attached to the vehicle.
 
This self-contained certificate will allow you to benefit from maximum freedom and offer you a large choice to spend your nights in complete independence almost anywhere in the country.

Now, you should know that the New Zealand government has also invested heavily in infrastructure. Even without a self-contained certification, you will find plenty of magnificent places to spend your nights.
 
You obviously have the classic campsites (paid) that you find all over the country, the parking/rest areas (often equipped with public toilets) or there are also the DOC (Department Of Conservation) campsites which will allow you to spend your nights in magnificent places for fairly low prices (often a contribution towards the conservation of the place where you are).
 
We think that self-contained is ideal for an independent trip when freedom camping is your priority, but it is not essential to discover the beauties of both islands, there are many free campsites and campsites of the DOC where non-Self Contained people can experience camping in nature.

8 - What are the differences between a campervan and a motorhome?

The differences between a van and a motorhome are the size, the presence of a shower and toilet inside.
The size allows the motorhome to be more comfortable and spacious. You can easely stand up and move inside the vehicle without any problems. There are also more storage.
The equipment is generally more complete, with a real kitchen, a comfortable bed and a compact but very equipped bathroom.
On the other hand, the price is often more expensive, and they are more bulky and less manageable. Even though motorhomes have many advantages, it is sometimes more judicious to rent a campervan in New Zealand.
Discuss your choice with one of our travel specialist.

9 - Driving with a van in New Zealand?

The essential document to be able to rent a van in New Zealand is your driving license. It is essential to have your national AND international license if your national licence is not in English. In that cas, you need both licenses. If you can't get an international license on time, you can always get an official translation here.

Then you'll notice very quickly, but we're driving on the left here. It is therefore important to remain attentive in all circumstances and pay attention in roundabouts, overtaking, in parking lots, etc.
A tip to check that you are starting on the right side is that the driver is "in the middle" of the road when driving. If it is closer to the bottom side than the middle you are driving in the wrong direction.

When it comes to driving, most roads in New Zealand are good and well maintained. Although the speed limit is 100km/h on NZ roads, for motorhomes the maximum speed is 90km/h. In any case, keep in mind that you are here on vacation, take the time to enjoy each place and don't drive too fast.


Forbiden roads:
There are very few prohibited roads in New Zealand. With certain exceptions, you can travel almost anywhere on NZ roads. Keep in mind that most rental companies don't allow you from driving on “Gravel Road” except to reach a campsite (max 6 km). In any case, do not drive on gravel road without the prior agreement of the rental company.

Toll road:
There are only 3 toll roads in the country (one north of Auckland and 2 in the Rotorua/Tauranga region). It is important to know that the toll roads here do not have barriers and tolls. They are only a few kilometers long to generally free secondary roads.
You must pay for your toll roads directly on the government website here once you have passed.

Travel time:
It is not uncommon for road times to be longer than indicated by the GPS. Indeed, some roads are a little more winding, always allow a little more time for the journey between 2 distances. We advise you to set an average of 60km/h.
 
Fuel pump – rest area:
You will find rest areas and/or gas pumps almost everywhere to refuel and rest. So remember not to exceed 2 hours of driving without taking breaks.

Dump stations:
You will find dump stations almost everywhere to empty your motorhome (Grey and black water).
You will already find them in the vast majority of campsites, but you will also find public “dump stations” in most villages in the country.
Here is the map of free emptying stations in New Zealand

10 - Why is traveling by van so popular in New Zealand?

There are several reasons why renting a van in New Zealand is so popular.

First of all, you should know that New Zealand is a very large and extensive country.

You will therefore not be able to settle on one or two basic locations and be able to see all the best spots.
This country is best discovered by following an itinerary and changing location every few days.
Hence the importance of having a vehicle that will allow you to accommodate, cook and travel at the same time.

By traveling with a rental van, you will be able to take full advantage of the entire country infrastructure, while maintaining great independence and flexibility (you can adapt your trip according to your desires, your meetings, the weather, etc).

Also, the majority of the New Zealand population being mainly based in large cities, you will find large open spaces almost everywhere in the country, ideal for camping.

Since this type of stay has become very popular, locals are also used to these itinerant travelers. It is not uncommon to come across kiwis in campsites, they also travel this way here.

Then, the price is the big advantage of a stay in a campervan. Indeed, you find good quality backpacker vans at very attractive prices. Renting a van will allow you to discover a unique destination at a lower price while making the most of the country.

Renting a van is therefore an obvious choice for visiting the land of kiwis.

In summary, it is a practical, relatively inexpensive mode of travel, in harmony with nature, which will make you appreciate the country at its true value.

11 - Why book with us, Detour Travel?

•  Our expertise

  Before and during the hire, we are available to discuss every aspect of your travel so that you do not have any surprise upon landing in Auckland or Christchurch. Our service starts as soon as you contact us for the first time and lasts until your trip is over and was a success !
   

•  Our helping with the itinerary

  Even though we are now available 5 days a week from our Auckland branch, all Detour agents have travelled around New Zealand extensively and know the country like their own backyard ! Your personal trip advisor will be available to discuss your perfect trip, may it go through the most popular routes or off the beaten track.
   

•  Our answers to your questions

  Travelling abroad can be stressful at times, this is why we are here to answer your questions about the vehicle, the pick up and drop off process, the payments, the insurance, or any matter regarding your future trip, so you can totally focus on enjoying your holiday while you are here !
   

•  Our discounts

  We also work with the main activities available in both islands: if you want to go for whale watching, take a helicopter to hike on a glacier, discover more about the Maori culture, visit the movie set of the Lord of the Rings, surf down a giant dune, jetboat in a canyon or take photos of penguins and sea lions... we can organize all of that for you ! It's happening here. 

•  Our assistance

  Whichever vehicle you choose, you will be totally safe thanks to a 24/7 road assistance. And if you prefer to have a more personal contact with the agent who helped you out in the months prior to the trip, we are also available from Monday to Friday to assist you !