Car Hire New Zealand

The neighbouring country of Australia sits next to the beautiful country of New Zealand. Filled with lush greenery and picturesque landscapes, this country has so much to explore. From the snowy mountains in Queenstown to the metropolis of Auckland, there is so many great things about this land.

The list of adventures you can experience is endless, with hikiing in the Milford Sound region in the South, to seeing glow worms in real life at the Waitomo Caves. There's an adventure for everyone whether you're a thrill-seeker or not. New Zealand is one of the top self-drive holiday destinations due to its diverse landscape. From the wild coastline to soaring mountains, tranquil freshwater rivers to small country roads, you'll discover the best of New Zealand without any hassle when you experience it behind the wheel of a hire car. Visit Wairarapa and venture into the spooky Putangirua Pinnacles, or drive to Mt. Sunday from Christchurch.

If you're a fan of the Lord of The Rings, no trip would be complete without heading to the iconic Hobbiton located in Matamata which is about a two hour drive from Auckland. Further south and less than an hours drive you'll find Rotorua where you'll get to see (and smell) an array of different natural hot springs. So sit back, relax and enjoy some pampering in this iconic city!

Convenient Locations in New Zealand

In New Zealand, Auto Europe works with the top, trusted suppliers in the car hire industry including Europcar and Hertz. We have over 60 years of experience in the car hire business and have established unique relationships with these suppliers that allow us to offer our clients with rates you won't find anywhere else. Regardless of whether you are in need of a luxury car hire or a spacious van hire, we have the ideal car hire for you. Renting a car in New Zealand is easy when you use our booking engine to see car hires from our top suppliers and take the next step in planning your holiday today.

Auckland Airport

Christchurch Airport

Queenstown Airport

Wellington Airport

Frequently Asked Questions About Hiring a Car in New Zealand

To view more, visit our FAQs page.

Country Essentials

• Similar to Australia, traffic travels on the left and passing occurs on the right.
• Speed limits in New Zealand range from: 50 kilometres per hour to 100 kilometres per hour.
• Seatbelts are mandatory for both the driver and passengers.
• Paid parking metres are common in most major New Zealand cities. Parking lots are regularly available.
• For additional information, we encourage our clients to refer to our specialised New Zealand Driving Information page.

Licence Requirements

You must be at least 20 years old to hire a car in New Zealand, although the age may vary by car category. You must have held your licence for a minimum of 1 year and drivers under the age of 25 may incur a young driver surcharge. Some suppliers have a maximum age limit of 75 years so please be aware of the terms and conditions.

Border Crossings

Some suppliers will not allow cars to travel one way between the North and South islands on the ferry. If you need to travel between islands, you will drop your car off at the ferry port on the North Island (Wellington) and travel to the ferry port on the South Island (Picton). You will be provided with a new car by our supplier when you arrive at the ferry port.

Domestic one-way hires are available between locations on the same island with a 3 day minimum. If you are travelling between the North and South islands, please notify us at time of booking with your ferry details so we can arrange for another vehicle to be waiting for you to continue your drive. Please note that cars are not allowed to travel outside of New Zealand.

Alternatives To Car Hire in New Zealand

Allow Auto Europe to provide you with the ideal mode of transportation for your travel in New Zealand. While we are known for our guaranteed best rates on car hires, we additionally offer travel options such as luxury, motorhome, van hires and more. Whether you are planning on a lengthy road-trip or are simply in need of alternate transportation during your time in town, use our booking engine to find your ideal mode of transport today!

New Zealand Motorhome Hire - For an unforgettable travel experience in New Zealand, consider a motorhome or RV hire. In a motorhome, travellers can venture off the beaten path and become truly immersed in everything New Zealand has to offer.

Van Hire New Zealand - Don't let a large travel party or heavy luggage slow down your travel plans. Auto Europe offers fantastic rates on small, medium and large van hires well-equipped to accommodate nearly any travel party.

Luxury Car Hire New Zealand - Those looking for a stylish, comfortable and premium travel experience in New Zealand should look no further than a luxury car hire. With available models such as Mercedes, Audi, Porsche, Maserati and more, you can compare rates with ease and choose the perfect vehicle for your plans.