The whole South Island is your campsite.
Sleep next to the glacier. Hike over the mountain. Wake up by the lake. Self-contained sleepervans from $80 NZD/night in low season ($140 in high season).
★★★★★ 25 Google Reviews - all 5 stars
★★★★★
“Hands down the best designed interior of any campervan I’ve used. The diesel heater and battery setup to be fully self sufficient is a winner. I will definitely use Campervanz again.”
– Ed Chapman, Google Review
★★★★★
“Ernesto, the person responsible for Campervanz and who built the van by hand, is super friendly, always responsive – a great contrast with the big rental companies where you’re just a number.”
– Google Review
★★★★★
“I’ve rented several vans in New Zealand and this was by far my favourite. The owner was always available, super helpful, and the van had everything I needed.”
– Maggie Craig, Google Review
Most campervans have a self-containment sticker. Ours are actually self-sufficient.
There’s a difference between ticking a compliance box and building a van that can genuinely live off-grid. Our campervans run on large solar systems and battery banks that power the fridge, lighting and charging for days – no hookup, no holiday park, no daily site fees.
Pull up at a lake. Cook dinner. Wake up to the view. Move on when you’re ready. That’s what New Zealand is for – and that’s what our vans are built to let you do.
Built for independent travellers. Not for tour groups.
The big companies - Maui, Britz, Wilderness - are built for a different traveller. We're built for you.
- ⚡ Solar-powered and off-grid – skip the paid campsites, freedom camp for free
- 🔨 Every van built and maintained by Ernesto personally – not outsourced
- 🖥 Self-containment certified (2024-2028) – legally camp anywhere in NZ
- 📨 Direct WhatsApp with the owner – not a call centre
- ✅ One-way rentals available – pick up in Christchurch, Auckland or Queenstown, drop off in a different city
- 🎦 Self check-in with instructional videos – arrive confident, no waiting around
- 💵 No hidden fees – price shown is price paid
- ⭐ 25 Google reviews, all 5 stars
- 📖 New: read our South Island travel guides
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to stay at paid campsites?
No – and that’s the point. Our vans are solar-powered and carry large battery banks, fresh water tanks, and grey water tanks. You can freedom camp completely off-grid for days. No power hookup needed. No site fees. Just New Zealand.
What’s self-containment certification?
It’s New Zealand’s official certification that allows a vehicle to camp legally on public land without services. All our vans carry the green warrant sticker (valid 2024-2028). But beyond the certification, our vans are genuinely built for off-grid living – not just compliant on paper.
What’s included in the price?
Everything: full kitchen kit, bedding and towels, camping table and chairs, first aid kit, fire extinguisher. No hidden extras – what you see on the booking calendar is what you pay.
What if something goes wrong on the road?
You contact Ernesto directly. No call centres. Issues are rare (check our Google reviews), but when something comes up it gets sorted fast – usually the same day.
Where do I pick up – and can I drop off somewhere different?
We operate across Christchurch, Auckland and Queenstown. Our vans move between cities throughout the season based on bookings – if the van you want isn’t currently in your city, we’ll relocate it. Just send us a WhatsApp with your dates and pickup city and we’ll sort it.
One-way rentals are available – pick up in one city, drop off in another. Great if you’re travelling the South Island end to end without wanting to backtrack.
We offer self check-in as the default: before you arrive, we send you detailed instructional videos covering every feature of your van. No waiting around, no rigid airport schedules. If you want a personal handover, just ask.
What’s the minimum hire age?
21 years old, valid full driving licence.
Planning a New Zealand road trip?
Tell us your dates, your budget and what you want to experience. We'll help you pick the right van and find the spots worth going to.
What Our Travellers Say
