Road Genius compares campervan rentals from all major suppliers in New Zealand. Most international travelers start in Auckland, Christchurch or Queenstown and finish at a different depot, so one-way routes are common. The country stretches 1,600 km from north to south, which means big changes in climate and daylight between regions.
Campervan rentals in New Zealand typically range from NZD $50 to $750 per day. Costs vary based on the vehicle's size, age, type, rental duration, season, drop-off location and whether it's a one-way trip.
Choose your rental based on your adventure preferences:
Season | Avg High (°F / °C) | Good? |
---|---|---|
Summer (Dec–Feb) | 71 / 22 | Yes – warm, long days |
Autumn (Mar–May) | 64 / 18 | Yes – mild, fewer crowds |
Winter (Jun–Aug) | 55 / 13 | Mixed – good for skiing, cold in the south |
Spring (Sep–Nov) | 63 / 17 | Yes – flowers bloom, temperatures rise |
Place | Power Connection | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|---|
Holiday Parks (commercial) | Yes | Power, kitchens, hot showers, easy online booking | Higher cost, busy during school holidays |
Top 10 Holiday Park chain | Yes | Good facilities, accepts larger vehicles up to 9 m, discounts with membership | Booking needed 2–3 months ahead in peak season |
DOC Serviced Campsites | No | Beautiful locations, toilets, shelter, small fee | No power, first-come first-served |
DOC Basic Campsites | No | Very cheap or free, remote nature spots | Basic toilets only, rough access roads |
Freedom Camping (self-contained) | No | Free, flexible overnight options | Strict laws, need self-containment certificate, fines NZ$200 |
In New Zealand, most campervan rental companies require drivers to be at least 21 years old to rent a vehicle from their fleet.
A few companies allow drivers aged 18 to 21 however options are usually limited to certain models and may involve extra insurance costs.
To find suitable vehicles, enter the driver's age in our search tool, and we'll show you what's available.
To rent a campervan, every driver needs a valid, full driver's license. If you have a foreign license, it must be in English or have an official English translation. If not, you'll need an International Driving Permit (IDP).
Many rental companies offer one-way trips between the North and South Islands, with popular starting and ending points in Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown, and Wellington.
Keep in mind that traveling one-way involves a ferry fee between the islands. Our support team is available to help you arrange your one-way rental.
Many campervan rental companies in New Zealand welcome pets, like dogs and cats, to join your adventure. You'll need to get approval ahead of time, and there might be a fee for additional cleaning.