Terms & Conditions

Effective 5th August 2025

Welcome to ARV CAMPERS These Terms and Conditions govern your rental of our campervans in New Zealand. By completing your booking, you agree to abide by these terms. This agreement is made on the date specified on the between ARV and the hirer. The hirer agrees as follows:
1. Vehicle Condition, Pick-up and Drop-off
The vehicle is handed over to you in good operating and clean condition, you agree to return the vehicle in the same condition (except for ordinary wear and tear, not including windscreen or tyre damage) together with all tools, tyres, accessories and equipment to the location and the date specified in the booking (or sooner, if demanded by ARV).
Any existing vehicle damage will be marked on the digital condition report completed at the time you hire the vehicle.
In person vehicle pick-ups are available anytime between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm Monday to Friday.
Lock box key pick up can occur at any time and instructions will be sent prior to key collection.
Vehicle drop offs must be before 3:00pm on the final day of hire unless previous written approval has been obtained.
There is no monetary refund for late pick up or early return of a vehicle. Hirers are charged for the length of time booked, not the actual time used.
A 59-minute grace period after the return time applies to all rentals, should the vehicle not be returned within the grace period a $250 fee applies. Vehicles overdue may also incur an additional $250 fee per day and be reported to the police as stolen.
ARV may take possession of the vehicle without prior demand and at your expense if; it is illegally parked, used in violation of any applicable law, any term of this agreement is breached or if the vehicle is apparently abandoned.
We strongly recommend that all hirers take out their own premium travel insurance in respect of the risk that a hirer, for reasons of their own, may need to return a vehicle earlier than expected. A credit voucher for the unused time (more than 14 days), may be issued if approved by ARV in some circumstances. The value is calculated using the unused daily rate only.
Any unauthorised change/s of location drop off will see the hirer responsible for the entire cost of relocating the vehicle to its intended location plus any hire fees that are foregone by ARV by reason of the vehicle being unavailable for subsequent hire at the agreed drop off location.
For all vehicles, day one of the rental period is the day of pick up, regardless of the time, and the day the vehicle is returned is counted as the final day also regardless of the time.
The minimum rental period for is 2 days for all vehicles (same location pick-up/return).
One-way rentals have different minimum rental period of 14 days. A one-way fee may apply; this fee may vary according to location, seasonality and length of booking.
All vehicles have unlimited kilometres included in the price. Where the hired vehicle is diesel-powered, this is subject to road user charges, the hirer will be charged 9 cents per kilometre driven during the hire period.
Rates are in New Zealand dollars and are inclusive of GST (goods and services tax).
Relocation Conditions
A ‘relocation’ is a necessary vehicle movement between branches to satisfy the needs of full fee-paying reservations. ARV will offer a ‘relocation’ vehicle at a heavily discounted rate but will do so over the strictest of short periods such as to cover the transport needs of the vehicle movement. Should you wish to travel for longer periods or desire more freedom with your vehicle, we highly recommend you inquire about ARV’s very competitive rental rates.
The rental of relocation vehicles is subject to the standard Terms & Conditions of ARV.
Relocations must be delivered in the set days we outline and may be offered from as little as $1.00 per day.
Relocations can only be collected after 1PM on the day of pick-up. No relocations are available for weekends.
A security bond of $3500 applies to each relocation, which will be preauthorised to your credit card at the time you hire the vehicle – there are no further liability reduction options available to reduce the amount of your security bond for relocations.
A minimum $200 cancellation fee applies for any confirmed relocation bookings which are cancelled or if the vehicle is not collected on the date agreed.
Any late deliveries will incur penalties of $500 per day. There is a reason for the relocation, usually it is being moved to fulfil a full fare paying reservation.
Any request to extend relocations will be considered subject to availability, and if approved will be charged at the standard daily rental rate from day one. Minimum rental periods may also apply.
If you, the hirer, wish to extend the rental whilst you have the vehicle on hire, you must first obtain written authorisation from ARV. Your requested extension is not authorised until it is expressly approved and confirmed in writing, and you have nominated a new end date, and the extension has been paid in full. Calling a day or two before you are due to drop off and requesting an extension will likely result in your request being rejected owing to future bookings of your vehicle.
No refunds will be given for any booking amendments to the rental dates within 28 days of collection (if the length of hire is shortened) and the rental will be charged at the number of days originally booked.
An up to $250 change may apply for any changes to same city return bookings within 28 days of the date of collection and an up to $500 change of booking fee may apply for any changes to one-way rental bookings within 28 days of the date of collection.
No fees apply for any changes to your bookings outside of 28 days of the date of collection.

We reserve the right to substitute a comparable or superior vehicle at no extra cost to the hirer where unforeseen circumstances dictate. This shall not constitute a breach of contract and shall not entitle you to any refund.

Should you decide to downgrade your vehicle from that originally booked you will be entitled to 50% refund in the rate difference.

ARV reserves the right to refuse any rental at our discretion.

A valid full driver’s licence (national or international) is required for each nominated hirer and must be presented prior to or at the time of hire.

If the driver’s licence is not written in English then an international driver’s licence will also be required. An accredited English translation will be accepted in lieu of an international driving licence. The translation must be provided by a NZ Transport Agency authorised translator, diplomatic representative or the authority that issued the original overseas licence.
All additional drivers must be noted and must sign the rental agreement in person at a time of collection. Only those individuals who are named and are signatories to the rental agreement are authorised to drive the vehicle.
If the driver has had their full licence for less than 12 months an addition $1000 insurance excess is required.
The minimum age for all drivers is 21 years (an additional $1000 insurance excess is required for drivers under 25 years of age). The maximum age for all drivers is 80 years.
Persons who must not drive the vehicle:
Circumstances in which and/or for which the vehicle must not be used:
The hirer acknowledges that ARV retains title to the vehicle at all times. The hirer shall not agree, attempt, offer or purport to sell, assign, sub-let, lend, pledge, mortgage, let on hire or otherwise part with or attempt to part with the personal possession of or otherwise deal with the vehicle.
Smoking is expressly prohibited in all vehicles.
The carriage of pets or other animals requires written authorisation from ARV. Registered Guide dogs are an exception, although prior notification is appreciated.
All vehicles will be supplied with living equipment (such as camp chairs, outdoor table, cooking equipment, cutlery, tea towels, cleaning supplies and simple tea/coffee).
Linen packages can be added for a fee of $100/pack/hire.
Each linen pack includes:
For the ultimate Road Trip guide, download the Campermate App from the App or Play store free of charge. The app can be used to find everything from things to do, locations of camp sites, toilets, ATMs, dump stations, petrol stations and much more.
New Zealand child restraint law stipulates that all children under the age of 7 years old must be properly restrained in an approved child restraint.
The supply and fitting of all child restraints remains the sole responsibility of the hirer.
There are several companies that offer this service if required such as Baby on the Move and Baby Bunting NZ.
The hirer acknowledges having received the vehicle gas bottle full of gas (if applicable) and will return the vehicle with a full gas bottle. If the gas bottle is not full on return a $50 refill fee will be charged.
All Vehicles must be returned washed, clean and tidy (cleaning supplies are supplied). Alternatively you can elect to waive the requirement to return the vehicle clean for a $100 fee. This does not allow hirers to return the vehicle in a complete mess and a minimum fee of $200 will apply if the vehicle is returned in an unsatisfactory condition.
A non-refundable deposit of 20% of the total rental charge is required when making a reservation to secure your booking. Bookings are not confirmed until the deposit is received.
The full balance due for the rental period is payable 45 days before vehicle collection.
We accept Visa and MasterCard.
If your overseas debit or credit card has been charged in your home currency, the foreign exchange conversion rate applied is the exchange rate applied by our merchant supplier at the time the transaction is processed. Due to exchange rate fluctuations there could be some variance in the amounts charged or refunded compared to the amount initially charged. You irrevocably agree to release ARV from any liability for such variation.
ARV is entitled to retain the hirer’s credit card details in accordance with the payment card industry – data security standard and take any action necessary to recover from the hirer’s credit card all amounts due by the hirer pursuant to this agreement, including any amounts due in respect of damage to the vehicle or property of a third party and all additional charges as set out in this agreement.
A non-refundable $50 processing fee will be charged per infringement, toll notice or offence to cover processing costs in relation to any speeding, parking fine, traffic infringement, toll notice or freedom camping offences.
ARV will send you (including by way of email) a copy of the relevant infringement or fine notice and any reminder notice as soon as practicable after receipt thereof by ARV. Receipt of an infringement may be many weeks after you have returned your vehicle and is entirely under the control of the issuing authority.
You agree that we may pass your credit card and any other relevant personal details in relation to the rental of the vehicle to a third party for the purposes of contacting you directly regarding processing and administration for all infringement and fine notices received by ARV in connection with your use of the vehicle.
All enquiries in relation to infringements and notices should be forwarded to the contact details outlined on the relevant traffic and/or toll infringement notice. You will retain all rights to query, challenge or object to the authority that issued the infringement notice or to a court within the timeframe stipulated on that notice.
The hirer remains liable for the payment of the original fine or toll.
Vehicles may only be driven on sealed roads or well-maintained access roads to recognised campgrounds and parking areas. Travel on unsealed roads voids any liability reduction options of this agreement and renders the hirer liable for the total cost of any damage that is caused or contributed to by reason of travelling, or having travelled on unsealed roads.
ARV reserves the right at its sole discretion to restrict vehicle movements in certain areas due to adverse road or weather conditions.
All ARV vehicles are not permitted on Ninety Mile Beach (Northland), Skippers Road (Queenstown), Ball Hut Road (Mt Cook) or the Coromandel Peninsula North of Colville Township. Vehicles are also not permitted on any ski field access without prior written authorisation. Unauthorised travel voids any liability reduction options and renders the hirer liable. The hirer will also be responsible for all costs associated with the rental, including servicing, breakdown and recovery.
If ARV has reason to believe that your hired vehicle may have been driven on unsealed roads (without prior written authorisation) the excess will be retained until a complete inspection of the vehicle determines whether any damage has occurred. The hirer will be liable for any damage found. If it is determined that the vehicle has been off-road, but no damage is evident you will still be charged $250 for breach of agreement.
NZI 24-hour roadside rescue service is provided with the vehicle hire, if the vehicle requires roadside assistance, please call 0800 694 737.
Roadside assistance callouts due to the hirer’s error or non-mechanical issues such as running out of petrol, flat battery resulting from leaving lights/engine on, keys locked in vehicle, or becoming bogged, etc, will result in a charge of $165 to the hirer.
If you have any non-urgent questions during your rental, please email: bookings.arv@gmail.com
If you have been involved in accident and damage as occurred, please call us on +64 221 135 8314.
For emergencies, please call 111 for the national emergency service (fire, police and ambulance).
ARV vehicles are maintained and serviced to a high standard, however this does not prevent the occasional mechanical malfunction.
If you experience any problems, even minor, you must email booking.arv@gmail.com . Minor repairs of a mechanical nature costing less than $100 may be undertaken without our authorisation and will be reimbursed upon completion of the rental if tax invoices are produced.
For amounts over $100, ARV must be informed, and our approval must be sought and obtained before undertaking repairs. We will usually approve repairs provided the hirer was not directly responsible for the damage but reserve the right to approve or decline repairs on a case-by-case basis. Tax invoices must be submitted, or the claim will not be paid.
Subject to rights and obligations under Consumer Law, if the vehicle is not able to be driven as a result of the defect or breakdown, ARV’s liability is limited to refunding you the hire fees (excluding any liability option reduction amount) for the time that the vehicle was actually in repair or providing a replacement vehicle subject to availability. ARV may grant an extension to the rental period in lieu of providing a refund. ARV will not be responsible for the costs of alternative accommodation, travel costs (including travelling to the location named by ARV to collect any replacement vehicle), food or any other cost or expense resulting from the breakdown, accident or repair of the vehicle.
You acknowledge that if you do have an issue with your vehicle, that when (Friday afternoons to Monday mornings & Public Holidays) and where (middle of nowhere?) you might have an issue, are complicating factors that you have considered prior to choosing to rent a motor vehicle and you accept any delays caused that may arise from the lack of available parts or services and release ARV from any claims that may arise due to the timing or location of the issue. It is for this reason we urge all hirers to be aware of what day of the week it is and be alert to any issues that may arise and have any issues looked at before the issue of timing and location becoming complicating factors.
Our responsibility to provide a rental extension or refund of hire fees is conditional on any problems associated with the vehicle, including equipment failure, being reported to ARV as soon as possible and within 24hrs in order to give ARV the opportunity to rectify the problem.
Malfunctions of stereo systems, cabin lights, fridges, sink water pumps etc., are not considered mechanical breakdowns and downtime will not be paid.
The loss or damage to vehicle keys are to responsibility of the hirer to rectify.
For your convenience the fuel tank is full on pick up and is required to be returned full by the hirer. The charge for re-filling is $2.80 per litre plus $50 if the vehicle is not returned full of fuel. This covers the additional labour time taken to refill the vehicle. Fuel receipts must be produced on return of the vehicle to show that you have refilled the vehicle within 15kms of return location.
IMPORTANT – OIL & WATER LEVELS
The hirer is responsible to check (at least daily), and to maintain all fluid levels and immediately rectify and report to ARV by emailing any defect of which you become aware, however slight. Topping up a vehicle that is losing coolant somehow is not rectifying the problem. Rectification means a fit and proper diagnosis and repair. ARV cannot stress enough your responsibility in this regard. Continued operation of the vehicle after a defect has occurred may lead to serious consequential damage to the engine and renders the hirer liable and will void any liability reduction options.
*********If you are adding more than 0.25 litres of water to your camper every day YOU HAVE A PROBLEM AND NEED TO CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY *********
IMPORTANT – TYRES
The hirer is responsible to check (daily) the condition of the vehicle’s tyres including but not limited to tyre pressure, tread depth, uneven wear and any visible damage, and must immediately report to ARV via email. ARV cannot stress enough your responsibility in this regard. Continued operation of the vehicle after a defect has occurred may lead to serious injury or consequential damage to the vehicle and renders the hirer liable and will void any liability reduction options.
IMPORTANT – AVOIDANCE of OVERHEATING
We cannot stress enough the risks of continued driving if your car begins to overheat, or if it has a known cooling system problem of any kind. If your temperature gauge moves in a direction that is a departure from normal, stop immediately, investigate and call us on +64 221 358 314. Do NOT wait for it to cool and drive again as you may cause further catastrophic damage to your engine, for which you WILL be liable. Driving with an inoperative or malfunctioning temperature gauge may lead to consequential damage to the vehicle and renders the hirer liable and will void any liability reduction options.
IMPORTANT – WATER CROSSING & CHARGES
Do not drive across flooded roadways. Any damage caused as a result of driving or immersing the vehicle in water renders the hirer liable and will void any liability reduction options.
In the event of an accident you must:
Everyone in New Zealand, including visitors, have 24-hour, seven-day-a-week, no-fault cover for the costs/partial costs of medical services required to treat any injury caused by an accident under New Zealand’s Accident Compensation scheme (ACC). The cost of the scheme is covered by a levy included in the vehicle licencing. For complete details please contact The Accident Compensation Corporation (NZ) www.acc.co.nz.
This includes everyone, including 3rd parties in an accident. The ACC will cover costs/partial costs of treatment and rehabilitation while in NZ: it is not a replacement for Travel Insurance and does not cover illness, disrupted travel plans or emergency travel to get you back home.
We strongly recommend customers arrange travel insurance before visiting New Zealand.
Subject to the terms of this agreement, ARV will grant to you the benefit of ARV’s insurance with its insurer for loss or damage to the vehicle (including legal costs incurred with our consent) and any third-party damage except any property owned by you (or any friend, relative, associate or passenger) or in your physical or legal control.
You shall not receive the benefit referred to above where:
A security bond is required prior to pick-up of the vehicle. The amount of the security bond is determined by the applicable insurance option you have chosen. Payment of the security bond/excess is accepted by a credit card preauthorisation (su”icient funds must be available). The amount of the security bond will not be debited from your account at this time.
In the event of an accident the hirer is responsible up to the amount of the applicable security bond/excess for loss and damage to third party property and to the vehicle except where any term of this agreement has been breached and renders the hirer liable and will void any liability reduction options.
The excess is payable regardless of who is at fault and must be paid at the time the accident is reported to ARV, not at the completion of the rental period.
It is one security bond per accident/damage and not per rental, therefore once you report the accident to ARV, another security bond will need to be preauthorised, otherwise you cannot continue with the rental.
In the event of an accident where the vehicle is no longer operational, it will be at the discretion of ARV whether any alternative vehicle will be supplied.
In the event of an accident, where the vehicle is no longer operational and no alternative vehicle is available to the hirer, our liability is limited to a refund of the remaining unused hire charges.
If there is damage to the vehicle on its return, the security bond will be used to cover the cost of such damage up to the amount of the hirer’s liability. If the damage is a consequence of a breach of any term of this agreement and the security bond is insu”icient to cover the damage, then any extra cost will be charged to the hirer.
In the event of a no-fault accident, ARV will make every attempt to recover costs from the third party and refund to the hirer. Any costs recovered from the party at fault less a minimum $200 administration fee. The hirer acknowledges that third party claims in relation to accidents can take many months, sometimes years to be settled.
ARV offers three types of accident insurance options:
The optional tyre and windscreen cover allows for 2x tyres and 1x front windscreen to be covered for the duration of the hire.
All vehicles have Public Indemnity Insurance with a maximized sum of $1,000,000. There is no excess for customers involved in this respect. The hirer acknowledges that he/she has been informed about all insurance options prior to commencing the hire. The hirer is liable for the insurance excess that applies to each insurance claim.
Vehicle Insurance Options
Option Risk taker On the fence Stress free
Daily rate $0 $20 $40
Tyre & Windscreen Cover Included $7/day (optional) $7/day (optional)
Excess $5,000 $2,500 $0
Excess for under 25 year olds $6,000 $3,500 $1,000
* If driver has had their full licence for less than 12 months – same excess as under 25 year olds applies.
At all times the hirer is fully responsible for all fees, damages, expenses and/or costs for:
You are responsible for, and by entering into this Agreement you authorise ARV to debit the credit card or any other card provided for (and you will pay on demand any balance), the following charges:
Where the rental agreement is comprised of more than one hirer all hirers are jointly and severally responsible under this agreement.
Except as provided by law no driver or passenger in the vehicle shall be or deemed to be the agent, servant or employee of ARV in any manner for any purpose whatsoever.
To the extent permitted by law, ARV gives no express or implied warranty as to any matter whatsoever including without limitation the condition of the vehicle and equipment, its merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose.
No right of ARV under this Agreement may be waived except in writing by an officer of ARV. No waiver of a party’s rights is effective unless given by that party in writing, and any wavier is only effective in the specific instance and for the purpose of the waiver and no failure on the part of a party to exercise any right under this Agreement will operate as a waiver. No single or partial exercise of any right under this agreement will preclude any other or further exercise of that right or the exercise of any other right.
This agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties and there are no other oral undertakings, oral representations, warranties or agreement between the parties relating to the subject matter of this agreement that have been relied upon by the hirer.
The illegality, invalidity or unenforceability at any time of any provision of this agreement will not affect the legality, validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this agreement nor the legality, validity or enforceability of that provision under the law of any other jurisdiction.
All charges and expenses payable by the hirer under this agreement are due on demand by ARV including any collections costs and reasonable legal fees incurred by ARV.
The hirer must not assign or novate this agreement or any rights or obligations under this agreement without the written consent of ARV. The hirer authorises ARV to subcontract the provision of any of the services under this agreement as ARV may require in its absolute discretion from time to time.
Nothing contained in this agreement shall exclude, restrict or modify any express or implied conditions, warranties or requirements that cannot be excluded under New Zealand law including those under the Fair Trading Act 1986 and the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993.
ARV will have no liability to the hirer for any loss, harm, damage, cost or expense (including legal fees) in the nature of special, indirect or consequential loss or damage (including, without limitation, economic loss, loss of contract, loss of profit or revenue or loss of opportunity).
The hirer agrees to release and indemnify ARV its employees, agents and contractors from and against all actions, claims, demands, losses, damages, costs, expenses (including, both not limited to legal costs), or harm incurred by ARV as a consequence of any breach or failure by You in the performance of your obligations under this Agreement or for which the Hirer is otherwise liable for under the terms of this agreement.

Without limiting any other term of this Agreement, to the extent that ARV is permitted under New Zealand law to limit its liability, the aggregate of ARV liability to the Hirer is limited to an amount not exceeding the amount paid by the Hirer to rent the Vehicle.

The Hirer agrees that ARV shall have the right to refuse any rental and/or terminate this Agreement and take immediate possession of the Vehicle without notification to the hirer if:

In such an event the hirer will:

You indemnify ARV, its employees and agents to the extent permitted by law from claims from any person resulting from entry into any third-party property to repossess the vehicle. The termination of hire under this clause 26 shall be without prejudice to any rights of ARV or the hirer under this agreement or otherwise at law.
ARV will collect personal information about the hirer as part of the rental process and the hirer acknowledges that ARV may not be able to perform this agreement if all the information requested is not provided. Any information collected by ARV will be handled in accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act 1993 (the Act).