Campervan Hire in New Zealand

Hiring a campervan in New Zealand is simple with Camper Champ. We compare prices from over 20 companies, offering options from budget campervans to luxury motorhomes to fit your needs.

The cost of hiring a campervan in New Zealand ranges from $50/day to $700/day depending on the vehicle type and travel dates.

Pick up your campervan in Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown, Wellington, or select smaller cities. One-way hires are also available for more flexibility.

Compare car rental across New Zealand with Road Genius.

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Most campervan hire companies lower their rates outside the peak summer season, with the lowest campervan prices typically from about May to August, and cheaper ‘shoulder’ rates in March–April and September–November. This makes these months the most affordable times to hire a campervan in NZ.

During these periods, demand for campervans is lower, and hire companies may offer discounts and promotions to attract customers. Additionally, campsites and tourist attractions are generally less crowded, making it easier and more affordable to travel.

Yes, you can. All the major cities in New Zealand, such as Auckland and Wellington on the North Island and Christchurch on the South Island, have depots located at or near the airport.

Several more companies offer airport hire as ‘serviced non-depot locations’, meaning that although they do not have a physical depot at the airport, they will arrange to bring the vehicle to you or they will usually provide a shuttle to a nearby depot.

Hiring a campervan in NZ is the perfect way if you're looking to experience the best of New Zealand on a budget. Not only is it affordable, but it also gives you the freedom and flexibility to explore at your own pace. Plus, you can save money on accommodation costs by camping in some of the country's stunning national parks.

Explore some of our money-saving recommendations:

1. Book your NZ campervan rental early to get the best deal—As soon as you have your travel dates worked out. This will ensure that you get the best price and availability.
2. Choose your vehicle carefully—Not all campervans are created equal, and some are more luxurious than others. If you don't need some of the bells and whistles, consider choosing a cheap campervan or an older model. If you change your mind later on, an upgrade will be unlikely as availability fluctuates, especially around peak periods.
3. Compare prices between different campervan rental companies—Prices can vary significantly between brands, so using the comparison tool Camper Champ provides makes research easy.
4. Travel with friends or family—This way, you can split costs evenly between everyone travelling with you, which might be a better option than simply opting for a cheaper campervan rental.
5. Avoid travelling during peak season—The peak season to travel to New Zealand is during the summer months, from December through February. Prices will also be higher during the school holidays throughout the year.
6. Cook your meals—Rather than eating out every night, save this for special occasions during your trip.
7. Rent or borrow camping gear—If you are planning to experience sleeping under the stars in some campgrounds or national parks, this is a much cheaper option than buying it outright. Keep an eye out for campervan deals that include camping gear as a bonus.
8. Take advantage of free camping sites where possible—Be smart about where you park your campervan rental and look for free camping spots whenever possible. There are plenty of these scattered around New Zealand, so there's no need to spend money on campsites every night.

New Zealand is known for its changeable weather, with temperatures that can vary greatly from day to night. Summer daytime highs are usually in the low- to mid-20s °C (around 68–77°F), while winter days often sit around 7–12°C (about 45–54°F). In general, the country's north is warmer than the south. New Zealand also experiences rainfall throughout the year, with rain possible in any season and higher levels in winter.

The best time to visit New Zealand depends on what you're hoping to do while you're there. The most popular time to visit New Zealand is the summer months (December–February) because the weather is warm and there is plenty to do. Several popular events occur during the summer, such as the Auckland Arts Festival, the Wellington International Jazz Festival, and the Christchurch Arts Festival. New Zealand is also home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and there are plenty of places to go swimming, surfing, and snorkelling. The hiking trails are also at their best during the summer when the flowers bloom and the weather is milder.

The winter months (June–August) are a great time to visit New Zealand because the weather is cooler, and many activities can only be enjoyed during this season. For example, the ski resorts in the South Island are open during the winter months and offer some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the world. Several popular ski resort areas include Mount Hutt, Queenstown, and Wanaka. There are also plenty of other winter sports, such as ice skating, snowmobiling, and dog sledding. The North Island is home to thermal areas, which are most popular to visit in the winter when the air is coldest. These include Rotorua, Taupo, and Wai-O-Tapu - known for their hot springs, geysers, and mud pools.

If you want to explore the North and South Islands, we recommend at least 2-4 weeks. But if you're happy to focus on one or two regions, you could do it in as little as five to 7 days. Our 7-day and 14-day itineraries are designed to help you get the most out of the area.

Planning a campervan holiday on the North Island of New Zealand? Check out this list of 10 popular places to park up:

1. Kaitoke Regional Park, near Wellington
2. Tongariro National Park (Whakapapa area), near Taupō
3. Whangamata Beach Motorcamp, on the Coromandel Peninsula
4. Hahei Beach Resort / Hahei Holiday Resort, in Hahei (for Cathedral Cove access)
5. Camp Waipu Cove, north of Auckland
6. Raglan Holiday Park, west of Auckland
7. Mount Maunganui Holiday Park, on the Bay of Plenty coast
8. Ohakune Holiday Park, in the central North Island
9. Tūrangi Holiday Park (Tongariro River area), near Lake Taupō
10. Kawhia Camping Ground, in Kawhia

Heading to the South Island on a self-drive holiday? Scroll through a few popular spots:

1. Methven Camping Ground (Mount Hutt area), in the Canterbury Region
2. Tekapo Springs Motorhome and Holiday Park, in the Mackenzie District
3. Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Holiday Park, north of Christchurch
4. Kaikōura Motorcamp and Holiday Park, on the east coast of the South Island
5. Akaroa Motorhome and Holiday Park, in the Banks Peninsula Region
6. Oamaru Holiday Park, in Oamaru
7. Wānaka Holiday Park, in Wānaka
8. The Hermitage Motorhome park, near Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
9. Dunedin Freedom-Camping Carpark (free), in central Dunedin
10. Designated council freedom-camping sites, where permitted

New Zealand is among the best and easiest places to explore with a motorhome, campervan, or 4WD camper hire. There are many different places to park your campervan overnight in New Zealand. The best options include national parks, campsites, holiday parks, and rest areas.

Most national parks have designated camping areas where you can stay overnight, and usually have facilities such as toilets and showers. However, you must purchase a camping permit to stay in the park overnight.

Campsites are a great option because they offer basic facilities such as toilets and showers, and they generally have a kitchen area where you can cook your meals. Holiday parks are similar to campsites but usually offer more amenities, such as WiFi, laundry facilities, and play areas for children.

Rest areas are free short-stop spots and can be found throughout the country. Some rest areas allow overnight parking, but many do not, so you should always check the signage and follow local rules before staying the night in your campervan. Facilities are usually basic, and rest areas near highways can be noisy.