New Zealand Car hire Guide

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New Zealand delights its visitors with its natural beauty. Driving across the country in your stylish New Zealand car rental, you will come across mountains, rivers and lakes. The nation, host to a range of bird species, is known for its flora and fauna. There are ample opportunities for outdoor activities including canyoning, caving, diving and kite surfing. Car rental services are available in New Zealand’s major cities such as Auckland and Wellington as well as many smaller towns. There is a wide range of vehicles to choose from and customers will find a car to suit every occasion. Compare New Zealand car hire prices online prior to your trip in order to secure the best deal and save money while you travel.

Car hire driving tips in New Zealand

The State Highway joins all the major cities and is maintained by the country’s Transport Agency. The roads are in good condition and well signposted, so it is easy to find your way around. The terrain between cities varies and it can become hilly and winding at times, which will increase your journey time. If you are travelling north of Auckland, there is a toll road joining Orewa and Puhoi.

Need to know essentials

Driving licences: drivers should have a licence from their home country, which should be kept in the vehicle at all times. If your license is not in English, you will need to acquire an English translation or an International Driving Licence. Please take note of this if you book a New Zealand hire car through us.

Which side does New Zealand drive on: drivers keep to the left side of the road.

Speed limits:

Residential areas: 50kph

Highways: 100kph

Near road works or schools: 20kph

Alcohol limits: drinking and driving regulations are strictly enforced in New Zealand. The blood alcohol limit for drivers over the age of 20 is 0.8 per cent. There is a zero tolerance policy for drivers younger than 20.

Driving age: the minimum age for driving in New Zealand is 15; however, the legal age to rent a car is 21.

Seatbelts: New Zealand regulations state that everyone in the vehicle has to wear a seatbelt, and fines are issued to people who do not comply with this law. Children under the age of five need to be secured in a child seat.

Mobile phones and GPS: the law in New Zealand prohibits the use of mobile phones without a hands-free kit while driving. Drivers using hands-free kits are only permitted to make calls; listening to music, emailing or viewing GPS maps on your mobile while driving are prohibited. Book cheap car hire in New Zealand with us and you will be elegible to our great added extras including GPS.

Car hire and fuel payment: credit cards can be used to book car hire in New Zealand. Petrol stations in main cities and towns accept credit cards but cash may be the only acceptable form of payment at remote stations.

Insurance: options include Collision Damage Waiver as well as insurance against theft. Third-party liability and fire insurance are usually included with rentals.

Traffic and parking: traffic is usually minimal on major highways, although city centres can become congested. Drivers must indicate for a minimum of three seconds prior to parking. Vehicles should be parked parallel to the road on the left-hand side. At night time, vehicles must be visible to other drivers; this can be achieved by parking near street lights or using side lights. It is illegal to park on a yellow line or in areas which are reserved for buses and taxis. Outside large cities, parking is often free but within cities, parking may have a time limit, follow a pay and display payment system or require payment at a parking meter.

Our travel editors recommended drives

Auckland to Mission Bay – take a leisurely drive along this scenic route to the Auckland suburb of Mission Bay and stop at one of the upmarket cafés along the way.

Milford Road – this road offers breathtaking views of rainforests and lakes. Stop at one of the beaches along the way to relax and soak up the sun. This route winds past mountains and passes through the Homer Tunnel.

West coast South Island: start at the very top at Golden Bay and follow the rugged, uninhabited coast to the Glaciers (Fox and Frqanz Josef) before turning inland to sneak through the Southern Alps and discover the beauty of Lake Wanaka and Queenstown.

New Zealand travel tips

New Zealand was colonised by the British before the country gained independence, and many people here are British decedents. There is also a minority of Maori people and a small community of Asians. The country’s beautiful landscape attracts tourists and must-see sites include the Fox Glaciers, Mount Cook and the Canterbury Plains. Read our easy travel trips to make sure your trip to this land of natural attractions goes smoothly.

New Zealand weather and tourist seasons

The north of the country has a sub tropical climate, while the south has a temporal climate. The western region has high rainfall and humidity levels. Maximum temperatures are 30°C; this can drop to 0°C in the mountainous regions during winter.

New Zealand contact numbers (+64)

Police – 111

Medical – 111

Fire - 111

American Embassy – 64 4462 6000

British High Commission – 64 4924 2888

Canadian High Commission – 64 4473 9577

Australian High Commission – 64 4473 6411

Ireland Honorary Consult General – 64 9977 2252

Holidays and festivals

Waitangi Day is held on 6 February while ANZAC Day is celebrated on 25 April. The Queen's Birthday is on 4 June and Labour Day is on 22 October. Traditional celebrations such as Waitangi Day offer insight into local culture and traditions.

Money matters

The local currency is the New Zealand dollar and foreign currencies cannot be used. ATMs are available in most towns and many shops have facilities for debit or credit cards. Some small shops do not accept credit cards and it is necessary to pay with cash at these establishments. In most restaurants, the bill includes a service charge, so tipping is not necessary. However, tips can be given for excellent service. Tipping is becoming more prevalent in popular tourist venues.

Health and safety

If you are in the sun, make sure that you wear sun cream to protect your skin against the high levels of ultra violet rays in the region. Avoid going into the sun at midday, as the risk of getting burnt is high at this time. The level of crime is low; however, tourists should take necessary precautions against crime. Do not leave valuables unattended and beware of pick pocketing in crowded areas.

Fitting in…

Traditional Maori ceremonies should be given respect and visitors should not talk or laugh during these occasions. The national sport is rugby and other sports include football, netball and cricket. Important rugby matches are scheduled between February and May so if you are in the country during this time, you can get involved by going to watch a match.

Visas for New Zealand

British citizens are given a visitor’s permit when they arrive in the country and this is valid for up to six months. Visitors from most European Union countries are given a visitor’s visa for up to three months. Nationals of other countries need to apply for a visa prior to their departure for New Zealand.

Electricity

The voltage in New Zealand is 240 Volts, 50 Hertz. Many of the hotels also provide outlets for 110 Volts.

Business hours

On special holidays, such as Christmas Day, regulations state that traders should close their shops. Although all traders do not strictly adhere to this, it is advised to purchase necessities before holidays such as Good Friday and Easter Sunday. This advice is particularly relevant in small villages and rural areas. Business times are usually from 08:30 until 17:30.

Helpful phrases

English and Maori are spoken in New Zealand; however, common phrases may have different contextual meanings than in other English-speaking countries. Sign language was added to the country’s official languages in 2005.

Kia ora – Hello

Haera ra – Goodbye

Koha – Gifts

Wharephaku – Toilet

Marae – Traditional meeting place

Wharekai - Kitchen

Resources online

www.wikitravel.org/en/New_Zealand#b

www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand

www.nzembassy.com/

www.tourismnewzealand.com/