Hiring a Motorhome in New Zealand

FREEDOM are pleased to offer Maui, Britz, Apollo and Cheapa Campa motorhome hire from three locations in New Zealand:

Auckland
Christchurch
Queenstown

Please find below the main conditions of hire for the period April 2024 to March 2025 (please click here for April 2025 to March 2026 conditions of hire).

The Rental

On collection of your vehicle, you will be asked to sign the motorhome company’s own terms and conditions of hire, making the rental subject to a direct contract between you and the motorhome company. A credit card bond will be taken to cover any additional charges, such as fuel, damage excess and optional services.

Driver Qualifications

To drive a Cheapa Hitop or Cheapa Endeavour drivers must be at least 18 years old and hold a full drivers licence. For all other motorhomes, drivers must be at least 21 years old and have held a valid drivers licence for at least 24 months. There is no upper age limit.

Additional Drivers

For Maui, Britz and Apollo rentals, one additional driver can be added free of charge. For Cheapa Campa rentals, there is a fee of $4.00 per additional driver per day, up to a maximum charge of $60.00 per driver, paid locally at the motorhome depot. This fee is waivered if a ‘Value Pack‘ is purchased.

Child Seats

Child seats are available to hire for most vehicles from $42.00 per rental, or included in the ‘Value Pack‘. Please request the number of child seats you need before you travel.

One Way Hire, Location & Public Holiday Fees

The following one way hire fees are payable at the motorhome depot:

Pick-Up	Drop-Off	One Way Fee
Auckland	Queenstown or Christchurch	April to September – $180 October to March – $280
Queenstown or Christchurch	Auckland	October to March – $180
Christchurch	Queenstown	April to March – $185
Queenstown	Christchurch	October to March – $85

All rentals that either pick-up or drop-off in Queenstown are subject to an additional $250 location fee, payable at the motorhome depot.

If you would like to pick-up or drop-off your motorhome on a public holiday a fee of $115 will also be charged.

Mileage

Unlimited mileage is included in all rentals.

Road User Charge

The cost of using New Zealand’s roads is recovered from road users via a levy. This Road User Charge will be calculated and collected on return of your vehicle, based on the number of kilometres travelled during the hire. The fee per 100 km is:

4 and 6 berth motorhomes – $8.40
All other motorhomes – $7.64

Airport Transfers

Complimentary transfers between the airport and the motorhome depot are included in your hire.

Interislander Ferry

Motorhomes may be taken on the Interislander ferry, which connects New Zealand’s North and South Islands. We recommend pre-booking your ferry crossing, especially during summer months.

Route Restrictions

Motorhomes may only be driven on properly formed or sealed roads.

Minimum Hire

The following minimum hire periods apply:

Pick-Up	Drop-Off	Minimum Hire
Auckland	Christchurch	October to March – 10 days
Auckland or Christchurch	Queenstown	April to September – 10 days October to March – 14 days
All other rentals		7 days

Please note, higher minimum rental periods may also apply over special events.

Insurance

Basic insurance for vehicle loss or damage is included in all rentals, subject to the following excess/liability deposit, as well as the exclusions below:

Maui, Britz and Apollo motorhomes – $7,500
Cheapa Campa motorhomes – $5,000

A deposit for this amount must be paid on a credit card on vehicle collection. It will then be refunded on return of the vehicle if no damage, or breach of hire, has occurred. Please note, foreign currency exchange fees charged by the card issuer may not be refunded.

Exclusions

Costs arising from some situations are not covered by the basic insurance, and will be payable even if the amount exceeds the excess/standard liability deposit paid. These include, but are not limited to:

Overhead and underbody damage to the vehicle, however caused
Single vehicle rollover
Vehicle recovery from a situation that could have been prevented
Loss of keys
Misfuelling

Excess Reduction – Value Pack

Excess reduction is available to reduce the liability to nil, and can be pre-paid for as part of a ‘Value Pack’ when you book your motorhome, at a cost of:

Maui, Britz and Apollo motorhomes – £35 per day
Cheapa Campa motorhomes – £32 per day

The ‘Value Pack’ also includes:

Accidental overhead and underbody damage cover
Single vehicle rollover cover (excluding Cheapa Campa)
Unlimited windscreen and tyre cover (excluding Cheapa Campa)
Any additional driver fees
Picnic table and chairs
Portable fan/heater
Child seats (on request)

Please note, you are not covered for loss or damage to the vehicle caused by driver negligence, reckless driving or water ingress.

Roadside Assistance

24 hour roadside assistance covering mechanical faults to the vehicle is included in your hire. Callouts for non-mechanical faults, such as a flat tyre or battery, will incur a charge. Insurance to cover such situations is available to purchase locally.