Car Hire New Zealand

Car Hire New Zealand

Rule number 1: Arrange the hire of your car before you arrive to travel New Zealand.

Another Rule number 1: After a long haul flight don’t arrange to drive straight from the airport.

Imagine, you’ve just spent 24 hours in a plane and you have booked to collect your hire car from the airport… Not worth thinking about really.

Recover overnight and pick up your vehicle the next day. It’s a no brainer.

Some car hire New Zealand firms with a base at Auckland airport will deliver your car to a hotel or motel for free in the City of Sails. That’s Auckland New Zealand to us visitors.

If you want a car with automatic transmission then get confirmation in writing from the car hire firm. Remember that extras such as child seats usually cost more. I have to say that taking your own child seat with you isn’t such a bad idea.

Sometimes even with a prebooked child seat the hire company can simply run out because of demand. You can usually carry your own for free on the plane over. If you need air-conditioning then ask.

Do all the simple checks for a car hire New Zealand. What’s the minimum age required for the driver? Can I leave the vehicle at another destination at the end of the hire?

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If there’s another rule number one then this is it! In no particular order, for the sake of possibly having to take out another mortgage if anything happens, get the following or read up about them first!

• CDW that’s collision damage waiver. This limits what you pay if your hire car is damaged.

• Theft waiver Not so common but protects you from coughing up the whole rental if the car is stolen.

• Keep your eyes peeled Look at the excess because this is of course what you’ll pay if anything happens, even with insurance. And believe me the excess can be pretty steep.

Some companies offer a damage excess waiver but this can add to the daily hire by a bit. You may also be asked to take this out before they release the car.

If you have taken out a separate excess insurance policy you can of course politely decline the offer of taking out the waiver with the car hire firm.

Fuel charges Do you have to return the car fuelled up? Keep all receipts from petrol purchased and records of mileage just in case you need to produce something later. Also make sure you have unlimited mileage. Is the free mileage allowance enough?

The old glass and tyre ploy Usually the car hire company doesn’t cover you for damage to these or wing mirrors, windscreens, tyres, chassis etc. Car hire firms often say any ‘damage’ is down to driver negligence.

You can get cover for this from some firms otherwise go external for car hire cover that includes this.
And finally…

Rule number 1 is check your car over carefully before returning it. Not because you’ve fallen in love but simply so you know if there are any external signs of damage. Have the car hire staff check it with you. Take pictures if necessary. If the car hire firm is too busy to inspect with you then write this on the form and keep a copy.

Buying a car in New Zealand

Click here for more information on buying a car for your travels in New Zealand. This takes you to our campervan page where there are more tips and advice.

Driving in New Zealand Reminders

• if you're turning , give way to all vehicles that are not turning

• In all other situations, give way to vehicles crossing or coming from your right.

• In New Zealand you're not allowed to turn left at an intersection when the traffic lights are red. (You will see drivers do this so be aware)

• We drive on the left in New Zealand!

• Wear a seatbelt in front and in back. It’s the law!


Some interesting New Zealand facts for car hire New Zealand

• With about 2.5 million cars and four million people, New Zealand's car ownership rate is one of the highest in the world.

• New Zealanders make about 2% of their journeys by bus and 1% by rail.

• The roads here aren’t salted as it’s not needed. This means cars rust very slowly.

• Around a fifth of cars are less than seven years old.

• Around two thirds of cars are between seven and 16 years old.

• Around a sixth of cars are more than 16 years old.


Oh country road carry me over the rough lonely land someone once wrote. Car hire New Zealand is popular and you will have plenty of opportunity to shop about for information. Enjoy your holidays!

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