Car Hire in New Zealand

Tourist information - New Zealand

New Zealand (Maori Aotearoa), is a self-governing country in the South Pacific Ocean, a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, situated southeast of Australia. It comprises two large islands - North Island and South Island - and numerous smaller islands, including Stewart Island to the south of South Island. The capital of the country is Wellington. Auckland is the largest city.

Climate

New Zealand lies within the Temperate Zone; the climate is generally mild, and seasonal differences are not great.

Principal Cities

The capital of New Zealand is Wellington. Other urban centers are Auckland, Christchurch, Hamilton, and Dunedin.

Wellington, is a city in central New Zealand, capital of the country, in the extreme southern part of North Island, at Port Nicholson bay.

Hamilton, is a city in northern New Zealand, on North Island, on the Waikato River. Hamilton is the largest inland city in New Zealand.

Dunedin, is a city in New Zealand, on southeastern South Island, on Otago Harbour, near the Pacific Ocean.

Always drive on the left side of the road and overtake on the right.
The maximum speed on the open road is 100km ph.
The maximum speed limit for urban areas is 50km ph
A limited speed zone (LSZ) means you must drive 50km ph in adverse conditions, otherwise the 100km ph limit applies.

Motorways

Here are the rules for driving on a motorway.

Keep to the left hand lane unless you are passing and always indicate at least three seconds before changing lanes.

On a motorway you must not:

• Walk or cycle
• Stop your vehicle
• Make a U-turn

Traffic signals

Red light
You must stop.
You cannot turn left when there is a red light at an intersection.

Yellow light
Stop unless you are too close to the lights to do so safely.

Green light
Go, but give way if you are turning.

Red arrow, green light
Here you can not turn right, but may go straight ahead or turn to the left if it is safe.

Yellow arrow, yellow light
Whether you are turning or going straight ahead you must stop if you can do so safely.

Green arrow, red light
Here you may turn right, but may not turn left or go straight ahead.

Intersections
There are the rules at intersections.
Always use your indicators.

Always obey the traffic lights, signs and arrows marked on the roads.

If turning, give way to all traffic crossing or approaching from your right.

If turning:

• Always use your indicators.
• Give way to all traffic not turning.
• Give way to all traffic crossing or approaching from your right.

MasterCarsDirect offers car hire in the following locations in New Zealand

(N) = North Island, (S) = South Island

New Zealand North Island (N), New Zealand South Island (S), Including Auckland Airport (N), Auckland (N), Blenheim Airport (S), Blenheim (S), Christchurch Airport (S), Christchurch (S), Dunedin Airport (S), Dunedin (S), Hamilton Airport (N), Hamilton (N), Invercargill Dt (S), Nelson (S), Palmerston North (N), Picton (S), Queenstown Airport (S), Queenstown (S), Rotorua (N), Taupo (N), Wellington Airport (N), Wellington (N), Wellington Ferry Terminal (N).