Hiring a motorhome in New Zealand is without a doubt the best way to discover this magnificent country! It allows you to save money on accommodation and offers you great freedom when it comes to seeing the lesser known areas of the islands. But hiring a motorhome in New Zealand isn’t always that easy, especially when it comes to choosing what kind of model you want, what company is the best and what kind of insurance you’re going to take out.
Motorhome hire comparison
One of the best ways to compare motorhomes in New Zealand is using the website Motorhome Republic. Their search engine compares different models and prices simultaneously to give you the best possible offer, which you can book directly online (at no additional cost). You also find special deals or sales.
Motorhome hire prices in New Zealand
Renting a motorhome in New Zealand can be quite expensive, especially during school holidays (during Christmas holidays in particular). So if you plan to travel between December and January, raise your budget and make your booking as soon as possible!
Motorhome prices vary according to the agency, the availability and the season. The sooner you book your motorhome, the better prices you’re likely to get. Booking a motorhome two or three months in advance will be much cheaper than booking it a week before you’re leaving! Especially in peak season, it is quite common for companies to no longer have a vehicle available 3 to 4 weeks in advance.
Also good to know, the daily rates will be lower if you rent a motorhome for a long period of time. Newer and / or better equipped vehicles will obviously be more expensive.
Motorhome price guide
To give you an idea, we tried to average prices for different models and by season. As every rental company fixes prices individually, it is almost impossible to give you an exact pricing table. Please note that these prices are for motorhome rental departing from Auckland – you may be able to get a better deal if you rent your van in Christchurch.
Prices are in NZD.
Low season rates
- Average price of a 2-seater motorhome: $ 40 / day
- Average price of a 4-seater motorhome: $ 65 / day
- Average price of a 6-seater motorhome: $ 80 / day
Average season rates
- Average price of a 2-seater motorhome: $ 75 / day
- Average price of a 4-seater motorhome: $ 125 / day
- Average price of a 6-seater motorhome: $ 140 / day
High season rates
- Average price of a 2-seater motorhome: 145 $ / day
- Average price of a 4-seater motorhome: 455 $ / day
- Average price of a 6-seater motorhome: 610 $ / day
How are prices set?
Motorhome hire prices are based on the YIELD Management system, a pricing strategy in which prices vary according to demand. This principle is also used for hotels and flights.
Finding a good deal at the last minute is pretty uncommon when it comes to motorhomes. Companies will sometimes have last-minute offers, but these are very difficult to find and pretty risky, because you don’t find a good last-minute deal, you may find yourself without a vehicle at all.
Other factors also play a role in determining the prices of rental motorhomes, including the type of model (e.g. 2-seater, 4-seater), how old the vehicle is, the brand, the equipment and the rental period. Prices usually go down the longer you’re renting for (eg. +7 days, +14 days, +30 days, +60 days). However, there might be a cheaper option to rent for a shorter period of time if the vehicle happens to have a few days left in between bookings.
As mentioned above, the time of year also influences the price. Apart from the availability, rental companies generally set higher rates at certain times of the year (school holidays, long weekends, summer and Christmas). You could end up paying five times more for the same vehicle in high season compared to low season.
How to rent a cheap motorhome
There are a few things you can do to get a good price for a motorhome in New Zealand. As mentioned before, the first thing to do is to book as soon as possible. Here’s more:
- Choose an older model
- Pick up your motorhome in either Auckland or Christchurch.
- Prices in Christchurch are often lower than in Auckland. As more tourists arrive in Auckland and leave from Christchurch, rental companies encourage people to take their vehicles back to Auckland.
- Choose the convenience of an agency close to the airport as they are usually cheaper than the agencies in the city.
- The longer you’re renting the lower the daily rates (for more than 7 or 14 consecutive days)
- Use a motorhome comparison website and look for special offers
- Travel in a group to split the costs
Where to rent a motorhome in New Zealand?
If you are planning a road trip in New Zealand, it is important to plan your itinerary according to the seasons, points of interest, travel period etc. The most popular arrival city is Auckland.
The most popular route is to go from Auckland to Christchurch, crossing the island from North to South. Renting a motorhome in Auckland will allow you to discover the region and even reach the South Island by ferry. If you drop off the vehicle in another city, however, plan for an additional ‘one-way fee’. Also note that it’s often cheaper to rent a motorhome in Christchurch and return it in Auckland. So check if this itinerary can match your flights and / or other requirements.
Some travellers visit only one of the islands (either North or South) and return their vehicle in the same city they got it from. To visit the North Island, it is also possible to cross the entire North Island from Auckland to Wellington. There are fewer rental companies and prices are higher in Wellington. To visit the South Island, you can do a Christchurch loop from north to south (or vice versa). Other options are Nelson (very few rental companies), Dunedin (very few), and Queenstown (more).
Motorhome models in New Zealand
As a reminder, we use the term “motorhome” for self-sufficient vehicles, equipped with a shower and toilet cabin. This play an important role because camping rules are very strict in New Zealand. Some camping sites (free or paid) only accept self-contained vehicles. If you on a motorhome, you have more choices on where to spend your nights.
Then you choose between different sizes of motorhomes, from 2-seater to 6-seater models. You will definitely find one that meets your needs. For those traveling with children, make sure the features of the vehicle are suitable for your children’s age. For instance, some vehicles don’t have a car seat anchor point.
2-seater motorhome
2-seater motorhomes often come from the same manufacturer (Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter, Volkswagen Crafter), which are all pretty similar. They are equipped with a double bed in the back, which is convertible into a bench with dining table. They have a small fitted kitchenette in the front with the shower cabin just behind the driver’s seat.
Due to its size, this model is easy to drive and doesn’t need much petrol. It is obviously suitable for singles or couples.
3-seater motorhome
As 3-seaters are not any larger than 2-seater motorhomes (usually the same size), these vehicles can only accommodate a couple and a child. By the way, 3-seater motorhomes are not very common.
4-seater motorhome
The 4-seater motorhome is probably the most popular model. Equipped with 2 double beds, it is ideal for families or couples. It’s a bit small for a group of friends to share 2 beds, unless you like to be very close;)
They come with a large double bed in the front of the vehicle, which is convertible into a bench with a table. There’s a second double bed above the front seats. The kitchen area as well as the shower and toilet cabin is at the rear of the vehicle.
Most of these models are Volkswagen or Mercedes (ranging from 10 to 2 years old).
5-seater motorhome
These models are hard to find. Some companies offer vehicles called “4 + 1” to accommodate 4 adults and a child.
6-seater motorhome
These are the largest models available in New Zealand. With 3 large beds, there is enough space for a family or a group of friends. It is also a good option for 4 people that need a larger living space. In this case, you can leave one of the converted beds set up as a table, so you don’t have to undo the bed every morning.
Read also : Motorhome models in Australia & New Zealand
Motorhome equipment
Most motorhomes are very well equipped. At the very least, you have a place to cook and sleep. But depending on the brands and models, you might get extra equipment. Have a close look at the details when making your booking. Here’s a brief description of the equipment that is either included or optional:
- Beds (double, single or children beds)
- Kitchenette with all of the necessities (sink with electric pump tap, microwave, hob, fridge / freezer, cooking utensils, kettle, sponges, detergent)
- Shower cabin with toilet
- Lounge area with a table and benches
- Storage spaces
- Broom and shovel
Usually optional:
- DVD player
- GPS
- Bedding and towels
- Child seats
- Camping table and chairs
Read also : Motorhome and campervan equipment
Motorhome and campervan rental companies in New Zealand
There are a number of motorhome rental companies in New Zealand. Most of them are located in Auckland and Christchurch. Here are the main rental companies, divided by price range.
High-end / mid-range
- Apollo
- Kea
- Maui
- Britz
- Wendekreisen
- Star RV
- Freedom Campers
- Jucy
- Pacific Horizon
Affordable range
- Mighty
- Budget Campers
- Lucky rentals
- Cheapa Campa
- Happy Campers
Motorhome rental insurance
When renting a motorhome in New Zealand, standard insurance is always included in the rental price. This insurance only covers personal injury inflicted on third parties. It does not cover any material damage of the rental vehicle or other vehicles. For this reason, the rental agent will ask you to leave a deposit when picking up the motorhome. They usually charge you by credit card, and the amount depends on the company and type of vehicle. For a campervan, deposits are usually between 2,500 and 3,000 NZD, for a motorhome, between 5,000 and 7,500 NZD.
If you don’t want to risk anything, take out comprehensive insurance. Your deposit will then be reduced to a minimum (0 or 250 NZD in general).
But it is also possible to take out private insurance or use the coverage offered by your credit card (check with your bank beforehand). If you want more information on motorhome rental insurance, we recommend that you consult our dedicated article: Motorhome insurance options in Australia and NZ.
Inspecting your motorhome – What to check
When renting a motorhome, it is very important to check the condition of the vehicle and its equipment. If it’s your first time, you probably get quickly overwhelmed by all of the functions and think to yourself “Ok, we’ll have a look at this later”. However, it is always easier to find out about any issues straight away. Certain malfunctions can make your trip less pleasant and it is always difficult to make repairs during your stay. Moreover, remember that you may have to prove that you are not responsible for these malfunctions.
These are few things to have a look at before hitting the road:
- First make sure that you got the model you booked. They sometimes offer you an alternative if the vehicle you booked is not available. In this case you should get an upgrade or a discount.
- Thoroughly inspect the outside of the vehicle and let the rental agent know of even the slightest scratch.
- Take pictures as evidence.
- Ask questions about how everything works (electricity, shower, wastewater, battery charging etc.)
- Also be sure to read your contract to learn the exclusions of the insurance and any additional costs.
Read also : Inspecting your rental vehicle – What to check
Driving in New Zealand: what you need to know
New Zealand is a country particularly suitable for travel by motorhome / van. The country has well-maintained roads, mostly paved.
Here are some tips on how you can drive safely around New Zealand:
- In New Zealand driving is on the left-hand side of the road
- It will be necessary to have an international driving license to rent a vehicle and drive on New Zealand roads
- it’s easy to underestimate travelling times, so plan a longer journey time than indicated on your GPS!
- Roads are narrow in some areas (South island), more winding and sometimes steeper so drive with caution
- seat belts are compulsory for everyone in the vehicle
- it’s illegal to use a phone while driving.
