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Cheap Car Hire in New Zealand from £4
This price is the cheapest per day rate found by a Cheapflights user in the last 48 hours by searching for a car hire in New Zealand with a pick-up date of 27/7 and drop-off date of 3/8. Fares are subject to change and may not be available at all agencies or on all dates of hire. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
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New Zealand car hires in 2025
Get helpful information to start your search for the perfect car hire in New Zealand. The average price data is based on the last 12 months and was last updated on 18 July 2025.
Most popular company | JUCY |
|---|---|
Most common car type | Intermediate |
Average price per day | £31 |
Cheapest price per day | £4 |
Popular car types in New Zealand
Explore the most popular car models available for hire in New Zealand and choose the one that suits your needs. The price data is sourced from various car hire companies and was last updated on 18 July 2025.
There are 98 hire agencies servicing New Zealand. These agencies, altogether, have 824 hire locations available. Need an affordable hire? small car is the cheapest car type to hire in New Zealand with prices from £4 a day in the previous 7-day period. Here are 5 car types you can hire in New Zealand:
Economy
£4+
Compact
£5+
Intermediate
£7+
Full-size
£41+
SUV
£13+
People carrier
£16+
Full-size SUV
£20+
Pick-up truck
£34+
Compare car hire deals in New Zealand by type
Here are the best New Zealand small car hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:
Here are the best New Zealand medium car hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:
Here are the best New Zealand SUV hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:
Here are the best New Zealand van hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:
Here are the best New Zealand pickup truck hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:
Suzuki Swift£4/day
2
M
A/C
Suzuki Swift£4/day
2
M
A/C
Polestar 2£5/day
4
M
A/C
Best car hire deals found in New Zealand
Browse through a selection of recently found affordable car hire deals in New Zealand. Plan your trip with ease and find the perfect hire option for your needs. There are currently 8 hire car agencies in New Zealand with an average daily rate of £18. Data was last updated on 18 July 2025.
Have a look at some of the deals we've found on car hires in New Zealand including options serving Auckland, Queenstown and Christchurch. Deals are constantly refreshed so come back soon for more car hire options.
Suzuki Swift£4/day
2
M
A/C
Suzuki Swift£4/day
2
M
A/C
Polestar 2£5/day
4
M
A/C
Cheapflights insights for New Zealand car hires
Get relevant, data-driven information to help you hire a car in New Zealand, including pricing trends, ideal booking times, and more.
How far in advance should I hire a car in New Zealand?
Book your car hire in New Zealand 22 days before your pickup date to maximise your savings. Car hire prices are around £32/day on average when booked 22 days ahead, which saves you 38% off the average price.
What is the cheapest car hire company in New Zealand?
Looking to hire a car in New Zealand? EZU Car Rental had the lowest prices in the past two weeks, starting at only £4.05/day. New Zealand Discount Car Rentals also offers competitive rates, with deals beginning at £5.16/day.
What is the cheapest month to hire a car in New Zealand?
The cheapest month to hire a car in New Zealand is June, when you can expect to pay £27/day on average. The most expensive month to hire a car in New Zealand is December (£52/day on average). The average daily car hire price for each month is shown below. Keep in mind that prices will vary based on availability, when you book, and the type of car you hire.
January
£43
February
£43
March
£41
April
£38
May
£28
June
£27
July
£31
August
£33
September
£30
October
£37
November
£40
December
£52
What car do most people hire in New Zealand?
The most popular types of cars to hire in New Zealand are the following: Intermediate cars (Mitsubishi Outlander or similar), Compact cars (Ford Focus or similar), and SUV cars (Mitsubishi Outlander or similar).
Which car hire company has the most locations in New Zealand?
Thrifty has 65 locations throughout the area, more than any other company. Hertz has the second-highest number of locations in New Zealand at 59.
What are the car hire prices for popular cities in New Zealand?
Discover the price range for hiring a car in popular cities across New Zealand, helping you budget and make informed decisions for your upcoming travel. There are 241 pickup locations in New Zealand to choose from. Price data has been averaged over the last 12 months and was last updated on 18 July 2025.
Out of all the popular cities in New Zealand, Auckland is the cheapest city to hire a car (£5/day). Other popular cities in New Zealand to get a cheap car hire are: Christchurch (£7/day), Queenstown (£12/day), and Wellington (£16/day).
Top hire agencies in New Zealand
Explore the leading car hire agencies in New Zealand known for their outstanding service and extensive range of vehicles to choose from. There are currently 8 car hire companies in New Zealand. Reviews were last updated on 18 July 2025.
Choose from the top car hire agencies available in New Zealand, including locations near Auckland, Queenstown and Christchurch. Check out reviews from past customers, confirm pickup locations, and other critical details before booking your reservation.
Apex
42 reviews•15 locations
Overview
Cleanliness
8.7
Comfort
8.4
Overall
8.4
Pick-up/drop-off
8.6
Value
8.4
Ace Rental Cars
37 reviews•19 locations
Overview
Cleanliness
9.3
Comfort
8.7
Overall
8.3
Pick-up/drop-off
8.0
Value
8.2
Hertz
51 reviews•59 locations
Overview
Cleanliness
8.5
Comfort
8.5
Overall
8.1
Pick-up/drop-off
8.3
Value
7.9
Budget
35 reviews•21 locations
Overview
Cleanliness
9.2
Comfort
8.9
Overall
8.0
Pick-up/drop-off
7.3
Value
7.7
Europcar
36 reviews•12 locations
Overview
Cleanliness
8.5
Comfort
8.3
Overall
6.1
Pick-up/drop-off
6.6
Value
6.3
Avis
21 reviews•21 locations
Overview
Cleanliness
9.6
Comfort
9.8
Overall
9.5
Pick-up/drop-off
9.6
Value
8.9
EZI
17 reviews•29 locations
Overview
Cleanliness
9.3
Comfort
9.3
Overall
9.3
Pick-up/drop-off
9.0
Value
9.2
Thrifty
24 reviews•65 locations
Overview
Cleanliness
8.5
Comfort
8.7
Overall
8.2
Pick-up/drop-off
8.2
Value
8.1
Car hire FAQs
Find answers to frequently asked questions about car hires in New Zealand, including policies, requirements, and more. FAQs were last updated on 18 July 2025.
What are the requirements to hire a car in New Zealand?
Get in the driver’s seat for an unforgettable holiday with your own hire car in New Zealand. Travellers who have a valid UK driving licence are permitted to drive in New Zealand for up to one year. You must carry your licence with you at all times when you are driving. The minimum age for car hire in New Zealand is generally 21 years old, but drivers up to 25 years old may need to pay a daily surcharge, depending on the New Zealand car hire company that you select. If you’re looking for cheap car hire in New Zealand, book online before you depart. If you have reserved a vehicle in advance, you can usually pick up your hire car in New Zealand at the airport on arrival or in the major cities.
What are the rules for driving in New Zealand?
In New Zealand, traffic travels on the left-hand side of the road. Speed limits are signposted in kilometres and are strictly enforced. The speed limit is normally 50 kph (31 mph) in built-up areas (less in school zones) and 100 kph (62 mph) on motorways. All modern vehicles are fitted with seat belts, which are compulsory for all occupants. If you’re travelling with children, they must use an appropriate child seat or booster, which can be requested as an extra with your car hire in New Zealand. For drivers over 20 years old, the blood alcohol limit is 0.05%, which is usually no more than two standard drinks. It is illegal for drivers to use a mobile phone while operating a vehicle. Some railroad crossings in rural areas do not have barriers, so you will need to make sure trains are not coming before you cross. Contact the New Zealand Transport Agency to find out more about road rules and recent law changes.
What type of car is recommended for driving in New Zealand?
If you’re planning to stay in the cities, compact cars such as the Toyota Corolla or Suzuki Swift are a top choice, as they are easy to drive and fuel efficient. Ready for a road trip to see the sights of the North and South Island? Modern estates such as the Toyota Camry or Nissan Altima offer plenty of leg and luggage room. For small groups looking for passenger van hire, you can book vehicles for up to 12 people, such as the Toyota HiAce. Sustainable car hire in New Zealand is also possible; zero emission electric cars such as the Nissan Leaf can be reserved from your car hire company. As most roads are in good condition, you won’t need a 4WD to discover this picturesque country, but luxury SUVs such as the Audi Q7 or Kia Sportage are also available from car hire locations in New Zealand.
What is the most popular car hire provider in New Zealand?
When hiring a car in New Zealand, the most popular provider of hire cars among Cheapflights users is Snap Rentals, and with prices around £26/day, it’s easy to understand why. The most popular car type from Snap Rentals is ECONOMY, which starts as low as £14/day.
What is the cheapest city to get a rental car in New Zealand?
At £16/day, the cheapest car hire price in New Zealand was found in Christchurch. On average, Wellington has the cheapest daily rental car price (£25/day), which is 50% below average price for cities in New Zealand.
What side of the road do you drive on in New Zealand?
In New Zealand, drivers are expected to drive on the left side of the road.
Car hires by fuel type in New Zealand
Browse car hires by fuel type in New Zealand. Currently, Hybrid cars are the cheapest to rent in New Zealand. Deals were last updated on 18 July 2025.
Browse through car hire deals by fuel type in New Zealand. There are currently 3 fuel types to choose from with Hybrid being the cheapest (£6+).
Electric
£20+
Hybrid
£6+
Petrol/Diesel
£7+
Travelling to a place near New Zealand?
Hire a car at New Zealand if you plan to visit one of these locationsClearwater Beach
Saint Pete Beach
Treasure Island
Holmes Beach
Dunedin
Anna Maria
Clearwater
St. Petersburg