New Zealand Car
Hire Conditions

We maintain all of our hire vehicles to a high Certificate of Fitness standard. If you have a mechanical breakdown not caused through your negligence, and we do not fix the problem or replace your vehicle within 24hrs ​​(location and vehicle service availability dependent), we will GIVE YOU YOUR MONEY BACK.

All car hire vehicles are covered by a Roadside Assistance programme.

Operating hours vary by branch. Please click on a location below to view its operating hours:

Auckland Airport

Auckland Central

Auckland North Shore

Blenheim

Christchurch

Dunedin

Greymouth

Nelson

Picton

Queenstown

Rates are in New Zealand Dollars. 15% Goods and Services Tax (GST) is included in all hire rates. Should the GST tax rate increase above 15%, New Zealand Rent A Car reserves the right to charge the additional tax at the time of hire.

We do not guarantee a specific make or model of hire car – only the general classification. We will attempt to supply the class of vehicle quoted at the time of reservation but reserve the right to substitute an upgraded class – at no additional cost to the hirer.

Rental days are calculated on a 24 hour basis from the time of pick-up.

This varies between branches so please check with the hiring branch for details.  An example - For one and two day car hires there is a mileage allowance of 100kms per day, with a per-kilometre charge applicable above this. For hires 3 days or more there is an unlimited kilometre allowance.

The minimum age for car hire is 21 years and all drivers must have a full drivers license written in English or if in another language, accompanied by a certified English translation. There is no charge for additional drivers, however all drivers wishing to drive the vehicle must present their driving license at the time of hire.

For Christchurch, Picton, Blenheim and Auckland Airport the maximum age for car rental is 79 years. For all other branches please contact to confirm the maximum age limit.

All of our car hire vehicles are non smoking. If hirers do not respect this rule, a cleaning charge of $100 will be charged at the end of the car hire period.

One way car rentals are available, however a minimum hire period and one-way fee may apply. Our online booking system will calculate these charges.

Payment can be made by major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Amex. However, please note that a credit card surcharge may apply, please contact the branch you are hiring from if you require further information). One of these is required at the hire car pick-up to cover the contractual obligations and the Insurance Excess as covered in the Vehicle Rental Agreement. We cannot accept Debit Cards. Payment is required at the commencement of the hire. Payment by any other method will be accepted only by prior arrangement.

Confirmation of your hire car booking will be sent by email. If you cannot see your booking confirmation email message in your inbox, please check your spam/trash folder.

Our branches are independently owned, and refund/cancellation policies may very between branches. Please check specific details with the hiring branch.

Details of cancellation fees will be displayed on your booking confirmation.

If you are a “no show” and have not notified us in writing via email at least 24 hours prior to pickup of your intention to cancel, we reserve the right to charge the full cost of the hire.

Some branches offer a courtesy pick up service from any location within 5kms of our depots. This service is only available during normal business hours and outside of these times only by prior arrangement, where an additional fee may be charged.

Standard insurance has a maximum potential liability of $NZ 2300 inclusive of GST . Full exclusions to this liability are contained in the auto rental agreement but include:

1. Where the driver is driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
2. Where the vehicle is in an unsafe condition that arose during the course of the hire
3. The vehicle is driven by an unauthorised or unlicensed driver
4. The vehicle is wilfully or recklessly damaged by the hirer or driver
5. Where the driver is driving on the wrong side of the road

At the time of hire, hirers will be offered insurance excess reduction (IER). This reduces the maximum potential liability from $NZ 2300 inclusive of GST to a maximum of $NZ 287.50 inclusive of GST. The additional cost for IER is quoted on the booking system.

Full Terms and Conditions stated on the Vehicle Rental Agreement will apply.