New Zealand Tour

We've not done a club tour as we reckon they're pricey, how can we say this? Our daughter lives in the north island and we havd visited several times we have hired motorhomes as well as hiring a car and staying at motels/hotels and cabins on campsites all at a a sustainably less figure. NZ is easy driving and booking isn't required 😉. As an example when our daughter married we hired a motorhome and our son and girlfriend a car using motels/hotels, we needed a tan before the day! Same number of days but not together theirs was a hundred or so pound cheaper based on hire, fuel and night costs, which surprised us all. They did have to live out of a suitcase. If you'd like more info I'd be happy to help. 

We have hired from Kiwi and Mighty - so can't comment on the other companies.  We have always had 2 berth ones, one was upgraded to a 2+1 (which I think I'd call three, but it only had a short bed more child size).  I don't know whether you are a motorhomer or caravanner here, but we have a 5 berth here, so I thought we'd feel cramped.  I can't say we did at any point.  I would say check out the layout carefully as some of the smaller ones don't allow you access from the cab into the habitation area, which obviously makes it a bit more on the cosy side.  We wouldn't have one of these personally. One of the reasons we didn't feel cramped was the weather, not that we have hired at the time you are going, you will be there the equivalent of our April so not high temperatures and certainly not in the South Island, outdoor living is easy. 

With the van conversions you can open either the side or rear doors, creating the illusion of space .  Nearly all campsites have camp kitchens - these include cooking pots crockery and cutlery as well as tables and chairs, BBQ's for your use, generally free of charge, great to meet fellow travellers, so food prep and cooking doesn't have to be in your 'van.  We rarely made use of these, but did use the BBQ.  Outside table and chairs are usually an extra but again most sites have picnic benches they are happy for you to move to your pitch.  All of our motorhomes have been auto Merc bases and have coped really well with the gradients.

Generally hiring in Christchurch and return to Auckland is cheaper than the other way round as they have to pay drivers to bring the vehicle back!  However of the reviews we've read cleanliness can be an issue so have a thorough examination before leaving.  Explanation on use of the habitation side can be brusque - we had experience but I'm not sure I'd want to be a novice , but ask as many times as it takes to get the hang of what they are saying.  Bedding is generally a flat sheet, duvet and two pillows, but you can ask for more pillows.  Linen should be in wrappers and not on the duvet or pillows.  We did have a fan heater in one van, so do check the heating situation.  Certainly at Auckland there is a pantry where you can help yourself to items donated by those handing back their 'vans.  We didn't know this the fist time .  Here you can get condiments, washing up liquid etc which can be useful.  Can't help you with where to stock up at Christchurch, but Auckland has supermarkets on the outskirts of the airport where vehicles are picked up.  Countdown is as my daughter says the posh supermarket, Pak 'n' Save more warehouse type but jolly good produce and range.  Most supermarkets have cooked meats, chicken ham etc, bagged salads etc so a really quick and easy meal can be prepared with little effort, we have never had an oven in campervans in NZ, I do use mine in our own. We have never encountered a height barrier in NZ.

Most fuel stations are pay at the pump and we have never food shopped without getting money off fuel, we did have problems getting our cards accepted at Pak 'n' Save in previous years but didn't on either of last years visits, but we have changed our account to FlexPlus rather than Flex, it may or may not have had something to do with it.  Petrol from fuel stations, generally, BP, is more expensive.  

We have always got AA cover when hiring, and not needed it, until last year with a flat when we returned to the vehicle - a car this time, which wasn't covered and a charge of $60 for them to come and change!  Hubby said no thanks and did it himself.  I have never been more pleased that he smokes a pipe as the hubcaps had plastic strips on and without his lighter he couldn't have started the job .  So I'm unable to comment on the road liability bits you mention.

The return times tend to be slightly more restricted with motorhomes than cars, so do check out latest return time, and seasons will make a difference too.  The depot's have dump stations - this is for black waste, again we didn't know first time  and spent ages looking for one.  These can be found in most towns and some petrol stations, blue square sign black motorhome and lines to indicate emptying, if you can visualise it, you can usually get fresh water there too.This is great if you want to wild camp, your 'van must be DOC (Department of Conservation) approved and bear a sticker, there have been abuses and they are now more stricter on free camping.

Wow I've gone on some and then some more .  If you come up with more questions feel free to ask, as with anything I've run on about here that isn't clear!