Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some answers to frequently asked questions about our campervan rentals. We hope you find them useful.

To see our full Terms and Conditions, click here.

Rates, Booking & Payment

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[accordion-item title=”What is included in the rental rate?”]

Our daily rates include:

• Use of one of our vans and all the kit that comes as standard in it, as explained in the ‘what’s inside’ section of our website.
• Standard Insurance
• Unlimited kilometres
• AA 24-hour roadside assistance
• Up to 3 drivers
• Taxes (GST at 15%)
• Christchurch start and end location
• FREE transfers Christchurch Airport / Christchurch city and our base

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[accordion-item title=”What is the minimum rental duration?”]

Our minimum rental varies depending on time of year & availability. Check out our ‘Get a Quote‘ page for more info.

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[accordion-item title=”Do you do one way hires?”]

We currently do not offer one way hires. All rentals start and end at our home-base just outside Christchurch (with free transfers from Christchurch airport or Christchurch city).

From the experience of our customers, we recommend a circular trip around NZ – this will give you more flexibility with your route planning, meaning you will be able to see more amazing places. We can give you some great tips which will take you away from the crowds and into the real New Zealand.

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[accordion-item title=”When are you open?”]

We are typically open from the start of September to the end of May. Check out our ‘Get a Quote‘ page for up to date information of our availability.

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[accordion-item title=”When do I have to pay?”]

We need to take a deposit from you to secure the booking; this will be 20% of the rental value.

Payment of the balance of the rental cost is due 28 days prior to vehicle collection (we’ll send you an email to remind you when it’s time).

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[accordion-item title=”What payment methods do you accept?”]

For booking your van we accept the following:

• Credit / debit card payments by telephone (Visa & Mastercard only)
• Bank trasnsfer (we like using Transferwise)

When you’re at our office we can accept the following:

• Credit / debit card (Visa & Mastercard only)
• EFTPOS
• Cash

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[accordion-item title=”What happens if I need to cancel my booking?”]

Any booking may be cancelled without penalty within 3 days of receipt of confirmation, unless it is within 21 days of pick up.

• 21 days or more prior to pick up: 20% of total rental charge.
• 8 days or more prior to pick up: 50% of total rental charge.
• 7 days or less prior to pick up or no show: 100% of total rental charge.

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Insurance & Bond

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[accordion-item title=”Is there a security bond?”]

Yes, we do take a security bond. The value depends on the level of insurance you choose. The bond is $2,500 for Standard Insurance, and $750 for Extra Cover and Full Cover options.

The bond must be secured when the van is collected by a person named on the Rental Agreement. The easiest way to secure the bond is using a credit card – we freeze the funds for the duration of your rental. We can also secure the bond on a debit card or in cash – please let us know if you want to do this and we’ll give you more details.

The bond is released once we have checked that the vehicle and its contents have been returned with no loss or damage, and that all terms of the Rental Agreement have been complied with. This is usually within 24 hours of the vehicle being returned.

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[accordion-item title=”How does insurance work? “]

Our HiAce vans come with standard insurance with an excess (deductible) of $5,000. We take half this amount $2500 as security bond at the start of the rental by freezing funds on a credit card.

We also have 2 options for reducing the insurance excess. Both of these options include full tyre & windscreen cover.

• Extra Cover – Excess $750 – Bond $750 – cost $30 p/day (max $1100)
• Full Cover – Excess $0.00 – No Bond – cost $35 p/day (max $1500)

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[accordion-item title=”Are there exclusions to the insurance? “]

Yes – as with any insurance there are exclusions, which are times that you are not insured. Our insurance exclusions are very standard. In broad terms, if you are unlucky you are likely covered by the insurance. If you are being deliberately negligent (e.g breaking the law), you are likely not covered by the insurance. See clause 26 of our Terms & Conditions for more details.

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Driver & License Requirements

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[accordion-item title=”How old do I have to be to drive one of your vans?”]

All drivers must be 21 years old or older.

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[accordion-item title=”Do I need a special license to drive your vans?”]

No – A standard car license is all that’s required. You will need to show us a full driver’s licence that is valid for the whole length of the rental for each driver.

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[accordion-item title=”Do I need an International Drivers License? “]

You need to have an approved English translation of your license if your license is not already in English. An international drivers license is an approved form of English translation. Please remember to bring your regular license as well as the international drivers license as we will need to see both. See here for more info.

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Our Vans

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[accordion-item title=”What comes inside your vans?”]

We pride ourselves in being able to offer you a van full of useful stuff and without clutter that might get in the way. A full list of van kit is available here. If you have any special requests of things that you’d like in your van, please let us know and we’ll see what we can do.

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[accordion-item title=”Are your vehicles manual or automatic transmission?”]

All our current fleet are automatic transmission.

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[accordion-item title=”What age are your vehicles?”]

All our fleet are currently 2014 or newer automatic transmission Toyota Hiace vans. We like to keep our fleet as new & fresh as possible and will only look to run them for a maximum of 5 seasons or 300k km’s whichever comes first.

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[accordion-item title=”Do you have diesel campervans?”]

No we do not. Diesel is a lot cheaper to buy than petrol but diesel vehicles are liable ‘Road User Charges’ (RUCs) at roughly 6 cents/km. This makes petrol and diesel vehicles cost roughly the same to drive.

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[accordion-item title=”Other companies advertise Toyota HiAces as 2-3 berth. Will you allow 3 passengers in your HiAce Campervans?”]

We advertise our vans as suitable for two people because we think that they fit two people perfectly. However, the van has three seat belts and can accommodate three people.

We have had many small families travel with us (children aged 4 months to 14 years). We have tried out a number of sleeping arrangements, and can recommend something that suits your child’s sleeping requirements.

The van is a bit cramped for 3 adults, however it has been done! We can fit a third bed into the van, however it has a max. weight of 60kg.

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[accordion-item title=”Can a baby seat or a child’s booster seat be fitted to your campervans?”]

Yes, baby seats can be fitted to the front passenger seat of our campervans. In New Zealand, children under the age of 7 are required by law to travel in an “approved” child restraint. We can provide baby and booster seats, just let us know what you need when you make your booking. There is no additional charge for a child seat.

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[accordion-item title=”Can I charge my phone / camera / laptop in the van?”]

Our vans come with three 12v outlets (cigar lighter style, two in the front, one in the back) AND twin USB charging adaptors. If you bring the correct lead, you’ll be able to charge your gadgets while driving or camping with no hassles.

For things requiring mains power, there are plug sockets in our vans. You’ll need to be plugged into the mains at a campground to use them.

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[accordion-item title=”Can I smoke in the campervan?”]

We have a strict NO SMOKING policy in all our vehicles, and if there is any sign and/or smell of cigarette smoke we will charge a significant fee for cleaning the van

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[accordion-item title=”Can I bring animals on holiday with me?”]

Sorry, you’ll have to leave your pets at home. Animals are not allowed to travel in any PiwiWiwi vehicles, with the exception of registered guide dogs.

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[accordion-item title=”Are your vans Certified Self Contained? “]

Yes – all of our vans are Certified Self Contained to NZS 5465:2001

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Pick-up and Drop-off

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[accordion-item title=”Where and when can I pick up and drop off?”]

Piwiwiwi is based in Clarkville , just 15 mins north of the Chch airport. Clarkville is very close to Kaiapoi & Rangiora – both are lovely small towns with everything you need (cafes, supermarkets etc)
without having to navigate around a big city. Clarkville is also situated right at the start of the “Inland scenic route 72” – an amazing way to start your N.Z roadtrip!

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[accordion-item title=”Can you pick me up from the Airport?”]

Yes, we can arrange for someone to be waiting at Christchurch airport to meet your flight. We will then bring you to our base in Clarkville (a 15 min drive away) to meet your van.

Negotiating your way around a new city, in a new vehicle, straight after a long flight is a stressful way to start your holiday. Clarkville is very close to Kaiapoi which has everything you need. Stock up your van in our nearby supermarkets, have some food in our great local cafes and then get on the road and into the wilderness!

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[accordion-item title=”How long should I allow for the handover at the beginning of my holiday?”]

We usually spend between 1 and 2 hours with you at the start of your rental – depending on how much we talk! This gives us time to complete the paperwork, show you how to use everything in the campervan, and give you some tourist information.

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[accordion-item title=”Can I leave any unnecessary bags / cases while I travel?”]

While you are renting one of our vehicles we are more than happy to store any bags or suitcases for you.

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On the Road

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[accordion-item title=”Are there any restrictions on where I can drive your vans?”]

You may drive our vans on most well maintained formed road in New Zealand. This includes gravel roads (some of the best things are at the end of a gravel road – just remember to drive carefully).

You are not insured to drive on the following roads.

• Ninety Mile Beach – Northland
• North of Colville Township – Coromandel Peninsula
• Bluff Road that runs between Kuaotunu and Mataurangi – Coromandel Peninsula
• Skippers Canyon Road – Queenstown
• Ball Hutt Road – Mt Cook.

These roads are excluded because they are dangerous. All rental vehicles are excluded from these roads, so they are very well signposted. Please note that if you ignore these restrictions the van will not covered by insurance when travelling on these roads & you will be fully liable for any damage and/or recovery costs.

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[accordion-item title=”Where can I camp?”]

New Zealand is an amazing country to travel and camp in. It’s safe, there are no nasty animals to be wary of and of course you’re surrounded by incredible scenery.

You have three main options for camping

• Holiday Parks – these have all the facilities (hot showers, laundry, kitchen) and cost the most, usually between $15 and $35 per person.
• Basic Campgrounds – these are often just a field with a toilet. They cost between $5 and $15 per person
• Freedom camping – there are a lot of designated free campsites (often for self contained vehicles only). There are also lots of great places that you can pull off the road and stay the night. See here for more details on freedom camping. If you do freedom cam, remember to LEAVE NO TRACE of your visit.

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[accordion-item title=”What about freedom camping?”]

Freedom camping is generally permitted but there are restrictions on where you can freedom camp. If unsure, always ask; the official advice with stopping on the side of the road or bush reserve is – ‘Assume nothing, ask a local’. We recommend that you check online or with the local information centre first. More information can be found here.

It goes without saying that if you do free camp, please ‘leave no trace’, don’t leave any rubbish or traces of your stay. We also recommend that you go to a campground every 3rd or 4th night to fill your fresh water and have a shower!

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