Motorhome FAQs
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Important information
A motorhome holiday is exciting and a huge commitment and your planning and preparation should reflect this. Therefore, it is important to read and understand the information on this page before making your booking.
Step 1: Frequently asked questions
Tips for motorhome travel
Late pick-ups
Regardless of which airport you are flying in and out of, we recommend that for any international arrivals after 4:00pm, you collect your vehicle the following morning, given that any delays in customs/baggage collection may mean you cannot collect your vehicle on time. (You, the hirer, will be responsible for any costs associated with a "no-show" as a result of customs delays or a delayed flight).
Pick-up/drop-off locations:
Ensure that you have given yourself enough time when deciding on your pick-up/drop-off points. Not sure of the best start and end locations? Please e-mail one of our experienced motorhome specialists.
Additional hire items
Pre-booking additional items (insurance, chairs, tables etc) is recommended, and saves you time when you collect your vehicle. Have you checked that any additional hire items you require have been included?
Sensible planning
Have you given yourself enough 'rest time' between your arrival on a long international flight and collecting your motorhome? Driving in a foreign city, with a large vehicle, and on the left-hand side of the ride, can be daunting for any visitor to New Zealand. We recommend that (where possible) you have a good night's rest at one of our recommended accommodations, and collect the motorhome the following morning. Your holiday will be all the more enjoyable!
Flights and pick-ups/drop-offs
If you are leaving on a domestic or international flight early in the morning, have you allowed enough time to return the motorhome, and check in for your domestic/international flight? For clients leaving very early in the morning, we recommend that you save time (and a day's hire) and return the motorhome one day early, and that you spend a night at our recommended airport accommodations. This will mean the day you leave is stress free, and you are fully prepared for your trip home.
Passports and licenses
Finally, we recommend that you check that your passport(s) are in order, and that you have a full drivers licence with you. If your driver's licence is not in English, an accompanying International driver's licence will be required. All drivers must be over 21 years old and must produce a full and valid drivers licence. New Zealand recognizes a drivers licence of your country of origin or an international drivers permit.
- Q1. What items are included in a motorhome?
- Q2. Is courtesy transport provided to the vehicle depots?
- Q3. Where can I legally park a motorhome in New Zealand?
- Q4. Is a special driver's licence required to drive a motorhome or campervan?
- Q5. What is the minimum driving age?
- Q6. What happens if the vehicle has a mechanical breakdown?
- Q7. Is there a minimum hire period?
- Q8. Is there anywhere in New Zealand where motorhomes cannot be driven?
- Q9. Where do Maui, Britz, Pacific Horizon, Kea Campers and United Campervans have their depots?
- Q10. Can I pre-pay the additional hire items that I have selected?
- Q11. Can Experience New Zealand Travel confirm a vehicle's model or transmission?
- Q12. How far in advance do I need to pre-book?
Q1. What items are included in a motorhome or campervan?
Refer to the individual motorhome companies pages for information on this, as the "what's included" varies greatly between companies.
Q2. Is courtesy transport provided to the vehicle depots?
Yes, Maui/Britz, Pacific Horizon and Kea offer complimentary transfers on arrival from Airport or Airport Motels to their respective Auckland or Christchurch branches. Pacific Horizon will also collect clients from the Ferry Terminal/Airport or Airport Motels to their Wellington, and Picton Branches.United campervans offer a complimentary transfer from Auckland Airport. In Christchurch clients must arrange a taxi themselves to the depot. The invoice is to be kept by the client. United Campervans will re imburse the client for the taxi costs.
Q3. Where can I legally park a motorhome or campervan in New Zealand?
In general terms, you must not park in areas that obstruct traffic, block driveways, or block entrances to public areas. At all times you should check local street signs to ensure parking is permitted and we also recommend that you check with local information centres for information on where and when you can park legally. Parking at motorhome sites is recommended.
Q4. Is a special driver's licence required to drive a motorhome or campervan?
No. You will need to provide a valid non-provisional national driver's licence which has been held for at least one year. An international driver's licence is recommended but not obligatory. If the license is not in English format, an international drivers licence is also required.
Q5. What is the minimum driving age?
All drivers must be a minimum of 21 years-old. Drivers over the age of 75 years must supply a recent valid medical certificate to indicate that they do not have a health condition that would impair their ability to drive.
Q6. What happens if the vehicle has a mechanical breakdown?
Maui, Britz, Pacific Horizon and United Campervans all provide a 24-hour vehicle assistance service to answer any emergency breakdown calls. The individual companies will provide you with necessary emergency contact information on collection of your vehicle. Kea provides you with a freephone number for on-road assistance. This service is available from from 7.00am until 10.00pm.
Q7. Is there is a minimum hire period?
Yes. With Maui, Britz and Kea it is five days, and with Pacific Horizon and United Campervans it is seven days. Short hires of six days and under are often available with Pacific Horizon; however mileage is limited to 250km per day. United Campervans require a minimum hire period of seven days. For one way rentals between Auckland and Christchurch (or vice versa) the minimum hire period is 14 days.
Maui and Britz also have a minimum hire period of 10 days for travel during the Christmas and New Year period.
Q8. Is there anywhere in New Zealand where motorhomes cannot be driven?
Yes, motorhomes cannot be driven on the following roads:
- Ninety Mile Beach, Northland
- Colville township to Port Jackson, Coromandel
- Bluff Road, between Kuaotunu and Mataurangi, Coromandel
- Skippers Road, Queenstown
- Ball Hut Road, Mount Cook
Driving on any of these roads will void all insurance protection making any damage incurred the full responsibility of the driver.
Q9. Where do Maui, Britz, Pacific Horizon, Kea Campers and United Campervans have their depots?
Auckland and Christchurch, as the main international gateway to New Zealand, are the primary locations for motorhome depots. Please note, fees listed in the following table apply to both pick-ups and drop-offs.
| Britz and Maui | Pacific Horizon | Kea Campers | United Campervans | |
| Auckland | Yes (near airport) | Yes (near airport) | Yes (Glenfield, 40 minutes drive from airport) | Yes (near airport) |
| Wellington | Yes (40 minutes from Wellington) Note: NZ$200 fee applies for pick-up, drop-off, or both |
Yes (40 minutes from Wellington) | No | No |
| Christchurch | Yes (near airport) | Yes (near airport) | Yes (5 minutes drive from airport) | Yes (near airport) |
| Queenstown | Yes (at airport) Note: NZ$200 fee applies for pick-up, drop-off, or both |
No | No | No |
Q10. Can I pre-pay the additional hire items that I have selected?
Additional hires items are all to be paid to the individual motorhome companies directly. We are happy to make a note of the requested items, but will only take payment when these items are part of either Maui and Britz's 'All Inclusive rates', Pacific Horizon's 'Premium Class', or Kea's 'Inclusive Package'.
Q11. Can Experience New Zealand Travel confirm a vehicle's model or transmission?
Bookings for motorhomes can only be made by group (2-berth, 4-berth, or 6-berth etc), not by specific make, model or colour. This also applies to the transmission of the vehicle. Requests can be made for automatic or manual transmission (where applicable) but cannot be confirmed at the time of booking. Please note that Kea Campers and United Campervans do not offer automatic transmission, they have only manual vehicles.
Q12. How far in advance do I need to pre-book?
Generally speaking, it is advised that you make a firm booking up to two months in advance for bookings during April-September (winter season), and at least six months in advance for bookings during October-March (summer season).
