Renting a van in New Zealand

If you are planning a trip to New Zealand, you have probably already come across plenty of articles recommending van travel—or perhaps a motorhome—as one of the best ways to explore the country.

This style of travel is especially popular in New Zealand. The wide-open landscapes and the many facilities designed for vans and motorhomes make it a natural choice.

Here are five tips that may help you decide whether this way of traveling is right for you.

Let’s start with the main reasons to consider renting a van for your trip around New Zealand.

• The distances: most travelers visiting New Zealand want to see as much as possible. Given how far away the country is and how long the journey can be, it makes sense to experience as much as you can. That usually means covering a lot of miles, and what better way to do it than in a vehicle you can also sleep in?
• Places designed for van camping: New Zealand is very well equipped when it comes to areas that can accommodate vans and motorhomes. The rules are relatively flexible, especially for so-called “Self Contained” vehicles, which we will discuss below.
• Accommodation can be limited: New Zealand is sparsely populated, especially on the South Island. Some areas have very few places to stay. With a van, you do not necessarily need to search for the nearest town just to find accommodation.
• Complete freedom: last but not least, traveling by van gives you far more flexibility. You do not need to book every night in advance, and your schedule can adapt to what you feel like doing rather than the other way around. Unpredictable weather may encourage you to stay an extra day somewhere or leave earlier than planned.

Have we convinced you to explore New Zealand by van? Before you book, here are a few practical points to help you choose the right vehicle.

The main differences between the available options come down to two factors: size and equipment.

• The minivan: this is the smallest type of vehicle you can sleep in. Equipment is usually limited, but it allows two people to travel and sleep comfortably enough. Some models include a small kitchenette in the trunk.
• Converted van: these vans are larger and often tall enough to stand in. The kitchenette is usually better equipped and more spacious. Some models can sleep up to four people, but keep in mind that sleeping four does not automatically mean the vehicle is legally designed to transport four. You will need four proper seats with seat belts.
• Self-contained van: size is not what officially distinguishes it from a more traditional van, although self-contained models are often larger. Some are almost comparable to motorhomes. The main difference lies in the equipment: they include a toilet, wastewater storage, and a fresh-water supply. These extra features matter not only for comfort, but also because they give you more options when choosing where to spend the night. We will come back to this below.

Van and campervan rental companies generally fall into three main categories.

• Low-cost rental companies: this category includes companies such as Lucky Rentals and Happy Campers. They offer very basic vans in which you can sleep and, in some cases, cook. Their lower prices are usually explained by the age and mileage of the vehicles, which are often older and have already covered a considerable distance.
• Mid-range rental companies: these are the most common. They include Jucy, with its well-known bright green vans, as well as Apollo, Spaceships, and Britz. These companies offer fully equipped vans and even relatively recent motorhomes with lower mileage.
• Premium rental companies: there are fewer of these, and they tend to offer almost exclusively motorhomes. Wilderness, McRent, and Sunrise Holidays fall into this category. Their vehicles are generally very recent, regularly replaced, and equipped to a high standard.

The easiest way to rent a van is to use a rental comparison website. Several are available, and they allow you to search, sort, and filter vehicles according to your travel dates, location, number of berths, and equipment.

Most van rental companies are listed on these platforms, with the exception of some premium providers.

Now that you know how to choose the right rental van, the next question is where you can spend the night.

Before looking at the different options, let’s take a closer look at the well-known “Self-Contained” certification.

As mentioned above, this certification means that the vehicle is equipped with fresh- and gray-water storage as well as a toilet. It is not simply an indication of comfort: it also determines whether the vehicle is allowed to use certain overnight parking areas.

The main advantage of choosing a “Self-Contained” van is that you can stay in areas reserved for this type of vehicle. Many are located in natural settings without access to water or toilets, which is why only appropriately equipped vehicles are permitted.

Some of these areas are also located in or near towns. Another major advantage is that many of them are free, so paying a little more for a self-contained van may be worthwhile.

If your van is not “Self-Contained,” you may still be able to find free overnight parking. Some designated areas accept these vehicles, but they are much less common.

The other option, if you have not chosen a “Self-Contained” van, is to stay at a campground. New Zealand has many of them:

• Basic campgrounds: these are inexpensive and offer only limited facilities, but they usually provide access to drinking water, showers, a kitchen area, and toilets.
• DOC campgrounds: some DOC sites are accessible to vans. They are usually very basic, often with dry toilets and a water point. Their main advantage is their location, often on the edge of or inside national and regional parks.
• High-end campgrounds: these are more expensive but offer a broader range of facilities. They are often part of chains such as Top10 Holiday Parks. In addition to tent and van sites, with or without power, they may include shared kitchens, TV lounges, showers, toilets, swimming pools, and play areas for children.

The final point concerns the cost of renting a van. Once you start comparing prices, you will quickly realize that it can be a significant expense.

Here are a few ways to keep the cost down:

• Book as early as possible: if you plan to rent a van, reserve it well in advance. Prices generally increase as your travel date approaches.
• Avoid peak season: if possible, travel outside the period from December 15 to January 31, which coincides with the New Zealand school vacation. Unsurprisingly, this is also when rental prices are highest. We have written a full guide to the best time to visit New Zealand if you would like more information.
• Compare different routes: do not hesitate to experiment with different pick-up and drop-off locations. For example, in late summer, around March or April, many vans are located in Christchurch in the south of the country. Rental companies often need to move them back toward Auckland and may therefore offer lower prices. At that time of year, one-way fees are often waived for South-to-North rentals.

I hope this article has helped you plan your van rental in New Zealand. If you prefer another equally enjoyable way to travel, you can also read our guide to camping in New Zealand.

See you soon,

Mathieu