About Kiwi Campervans
Kiwi Campervans is a family-owned business operating since 1991, whose owners are travelers themselves. They have depots near the airports of Auckland and Christchurch and a fleet of campervans and motorhomes that cater to 2 to 4 persons.
Kiwi Campervans offers personal and professional service. The company can explain and show you their services in English, Deustch, and Francais, so you don’t have to worry about being lost in translation. This is a plus factor for international travelers. And as a family-owned company, it’s also worth mentioning that they offer help in planning your best travel route. This will greatly help in making sure you get the most out of your trip. Their main branch is located in Auckland but they offer a drop-off location at Christchurch Airport. With this, you can easily freedom camp in both cities. But before you start the adventure, it's highly recommended to learn some freedom camping rules that vary per district.
The fleet of Kiwi Campervans is 4 berth and 2 berth vehicles. They have 4 berth motorhomes and two 2 berth campervans. They can offer both deluxe and budget vehicles so you can follow your budget and still have a wonderful trip. All vehicles have the standard equipment of crockery, cutlery, and kitchenware. They also include beddings, towels, tables, and chairs as well as some other facilities without any additional costs. I guess it’s safe to say that this company truly thinks of what can help travelers like you enjoy the trip more by providing the basics without additional costs.
Pros & Cons
✓ Pros
- Good for 2 to 4 travelers
- More personalized rental
✗ Cons
- Some vehicles are older
- Issues regarding the insurance should be clarified
- Unsteady reputation
- Limited rental options
Vehicle Fleet
The 2 berth, manual camper with toilet/shower and solar panel is a Fiat Ducato with a fuel tank capacity of 80 liters and fuel consumption of 10 liters per 100km. It has two day-beds that can be transformed into a double bed. This vehicle has a two-burner gas stove and comes with camping chairs and a table. So setting up for your meals or just leisurely sitting outside your camper won’t be a hassle. An air conditioning system and window fly screen are provided to give you comfort and protection from creepy crawlies. Kiwi Campervans requires a bond of $2, 500 payable by credit card on pickup. They have c ompulsory insurance at NZ$15/ day, which is added in the daily rate. Kiwi Campervans has its share of positive and not so good reviews. Some travelers praise this company for their very friendly staff and well-priced campervans. They are likewise appreciated by renters because of the inclusion of tourist radio and GPS. On the other hand, some travelers raised issues with the cushions of the campervans whilst others have complained about some of the facilities malfunctioning. And then, there are concerns over insurance when an accident happens. It always gets ugly when there’s an accident but I’ll deal with that in a whole other article one day soon. Some complaints about communication are also noted, which would be better if all things are made clear to both parties before closing the deal. This company has its fans and its detractors. It is not overly outstanding in what it offers in fleet options and fleet size and can’t really claim to be New Zealand’s most unique or outstanding campervan hire company. That being said, it is a good company with acceptable campers and can probably satisfy your campervan rental requirements if you are looking for 2 or 4 berth campers.
If you’re looking for a vehicle that can offer panoramic views, then the 4 berth Motorhome Deluxe is what you’ll need. This manual vehicle is a Mercedes that has a fuel tank capacity of 68 liters and a consumption level of 10-12 liters per 100km. The rear panoramic window in its living area offers breathtaking views that you don’t have to strain your neck to see. It also has a permanent double bed above the driver’s cabin but the table and seats in the rear can also form a double bed. This vehicle has four-burner LPG gas cooker which means you’ll be able to prepare more dishes saving you cooking time. Air conditioning and heating system are also present.
