Renting or owning a campervan is the ultimate way to explore New Zealand. The freedom to pull over at a scenic spot, cook dinner overlooking a lake, and wake up to birdsong is unmatched. This guide covers campervan rental companies, costs, popular routes, and everything you need to know before hitting the road.
Types of Campervans
Self-Contained Campervans
For freedom camping, you need a certified self-contained vehicle. These have a fixed toilet, greywater tank, freshwater supply, and rubbish storage. Most rental companies offer self-contained vehicles. Look for the blue warrant sticker.
Motorhomes
Larger vehicles (6–8m) with full kitchen, bathroom, and sometimes separate living/ sleeping areas. Ideal for couples, families, or longer trips. Typically 2–4 berth.
Campervans (Medium)
The classic NZ campervan — a converted van (Toyota Hiace, Mercedes Sprinter, VW Crafter) with pop-up roof. Seats 2–4, sleeps 2–3. Good balance of size and comfort.
Station Wagon Conversions ("Hatchbacks")
Budget option — a station wagon with a fold-down bed in the back. Basic but cheap. Not self-contained (no fixed toilet). Limited to holiday parks and DOC campsites.
Major Rental Companies
Maui
Premium fleet. High-quality motorhomes with full amenities. Ages 21+. Two depots (Auckland, Christchurch). Expect $150–$350/night in summer.
Britz
Mid-range, owned by same parent company (THL) as Maui. Good range of vehicles. Many depots including Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown, and Wellington.
Aspen
Budget sister company of Maui & Britz. Older vehicles, lower prices. $80–$180/night in summer.
Jucy
Popular budget option. Distinctive green vehicles. Jucy has compact campervans and larger condos. Depots in major cities. Ages 18+.
Apollo
Large fleet with many depots. Range from budget to premium. Good for one-way hires between islands.
Starship (by Spaceships)
Pop-top campervans with a distinct design. Smaller company with personalised service. Great for couples.
Local & Private Rentals
Check TransferCar, CamperMate, and local rental agencies in each city. Sometimes much cheaper than the big companies, especially for last-minute bookings.
Campervan Costs (2025/26 Estimates)
- Budget campervan (Jucy, Aspen): $80–$150/night (summer)
- Mid-range (Britz, Apollo): $130–$250/night (summer)
- Premium motorhome (Maui): $200–$400/night (summer)
- Diesel: ~$1.80–$2.20/litre (road user charges included for some rentals)
- Camping fees: $0 (freedom camping) to $80/night (holiday park powered site)
- Insurance excess: $2,000–$5,000 (buy down to $0–$500 for $15–$45/day extra)
- Relocation deals: $1–$5/day (companies need vehicles moved between depots — very cheap!)
Popular Campervan Routes
The Classic South Island Loop (14–21 days)
Christchurch → Tekapo → Wanaka → Queenstown → Milford Sound → West Coast (Franz Josef, Hokitika) → Abel Tasman → Kaikōura → Christchurch. The ultimate NZ road trip.
North Island Circuit (10–14 days)
Auckland → Coromandel → Rotorua → Taupō → Tongariro → Wellington → Waitomo → Bay of Islands → Auckland. Includes hot pools, volcanic landscapes, and stunning beaches.
West Coast Explorer (7–10 days)
Nelson → Abel Tasman → Westport → Punakaiki → Franz Josef → Haast → Wanaka. Wild coastline, glaciers, and rainforest.
Essential Campervan Tips
- Book early for summer — demand outstrips supply from December to February
- Check the excess — standard excess is $3,000–$5,000. Paying $20/day to reduce it to $500 is usually worth it
- One-way fees — dropping off at a different depot costs extra. Auckland to Christchurch is popular
- Road User Charges (RUC) — diesel vehicles have RUC. Some rental companies include it; some don't
- Cook Strait Ferry — crossing between North and South Island costs $150–$250 for a campervan. Book well ahead
- Gas bottles — you can swap/refill LPG bottles at service stations nationwide
- Dump stations — use the CamperMate app to find dump stations for emptying grey and black water
Relocation Deals
Campervan relocation deals are one of NZ's best travel bargains. Rental companies need their vehicles moved between depots and offer them for as little as $1–$5 per day. You have a fixed window (usually 3–7 days) to get the van to its destination. Check TransferCar, CamperMate Classifieds, and the rental companies' own relocation pages.