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Happy Campers NZ Campervan Hire
Budget Toyota campervans for 2 to 4 from Auckland and Christchurch, with no driver age limits and unlimited km.
Price range
Budget
Founded
Countries
New Zealand
Vehicle types
Campervan
Sleeps
2 to 4
Best for
Budget travellers who want a small self-contained van
About Happy Campers
Happy Campers is a budget campervan rental brand in New Zealand, with depots near Auckland and Christchurch airports. It is run by Lucky Rentals Limited, a privately owned Auckland company set up in 2010, which also runs Lucky Rentals from the same two depots. Lucky Rentals part-owns GlobalCampers, which has owned Euro Campers since May 2026, so the three brands are linked and share the Auckland airport shuttle. Happy Campers NZ has no link to the Happy Campers business in Iceland.
Happy Campers rents five automatic petrol Toyota campervans, from the Happy Trail sleeper van for two to the Happy Cruise for a family of four. Four models, the Scout, Horizon, Summit and Cruise, carry the green certified self-contained sticker and have a fixed toilet, and the Happy Summit is the only one with a shower. Every hire includes unlimited kilometres and a basic kitchen kit.
Is Happy Campers a good choice?
Happy Campers suits budget travellers of any age: there is no minimum or maximum driver age, and booking direct needs only a NZ$99 deposit. Its Google branch ratings average 3.5 out of 5 across about 150 reviews, and it scores 3.9 on Trustpilot from 445 reviews. Reviewers praise friendly staff and quick pick-ups but report older vans with leaks, mould or faulty appliances, so compare Spaceships or Mighty if vehicle condition matters most.
Search below and we compare Happy Campers' live prices with other brands, with current hot deals applied automatically.
Happy Campers campervan hire in New Zealand
Happy Campers rents five automatic Toyota campervans. The Happy Trail is a 2-berth Estima or Alphard sleeper van without a toilet, and the Happy Scout is a low-roof Hiace for two with a fixed toilet. The Happy Horizon and Happy Summit are Hiace vans with a roof bed for a third person, and the Summit, the most popular model, adds a hot shower. The Happy Cruise has four seatbelts and two double beds for families.
Vans were built between 2011 and 2025, and several were refitted in 2025 and 2026. Bedding packs cost NZ$25 per hire and snow chains NZ$50. One-way hires from Christchurch to Auckland are free, while Auckland to Christchurch carries a fee shown in your quote, and most hires have a 5-day minimum, depending on the season.
Depot addresses
107 Montgomerie Road, Airport Oaks, Mangere, Auckland 2022
Free airport shuttle on the hour, 10am to 4pm; closed Sundays for pick-ups May to September
791 Wairakei Road, Christchurch Airport, Christchurch 8053
About 1 km from the airport; free shuttle 10am to 4pm; closed Sundays for pick-ups May to September
Opening hours
Both depots are shared with Lucky Rentals and open 9am to 5pm daily from October to April. From May to September they open 9am to 4:30pm on weekdays and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays, with no Sunday pick-ups, though returns are accepted. Pick up at least 30 minutes before closing, as there is no after-hours service. A free airport shuttle runs at both depots, from the International terminal only in Auckland, and the Christchurch depot is about a 1 km walk from the terminal.
Vehicles
Campervan
Happy Trail
Budget Toyota Estima or Alphard sleeper van for two with a double bed, small fridge, single burner and mains hook-up; not self-contained.
Day layout
Night layout
Campervan
Happy Scout
Low-roof Toyota Hiace for two with three seatbelts, a bed that converts to a dining area, fixed toilet and cooler box, refitted for 2025-26.
Day layout
Night layout
Campervan
Happy Horizon
Toyota Hiace with a main double plus a roof bed, 60 L fridge, two-burner gas cooker, solar panel and fixed toilet.
Day layout
Night layout
Campervan
Happy Summit
The only Happy Campers van with a shower: Toyota Hiace with roof bed, hot water, solar panel and large water tanks, refitted for 2025-26.
Day layout
Night layout
Campervan
Happy Cruise
Family Toyota Hiace with four seatbelts, two double beds including a roof bed, 60 L fridge, gas cooker, solar panel and fixed toilet.
Day layout
Night layout
Vehicle specs, floor plans, photos, depot addresses, opening hours and fees come from Happy Campers and can change at any time. Please confirm the details when you book.
Current deals
Pros, cons and good to know
Pros
- No minimum or maximum driver age
- Four of five models are certified self-contained with a fixed toilet
- Free airport shuttle at both depots on pick-up and drop-off days
- Unlimited kilometres, a kitchen kit and air-con in the cab on every van
- A NZ$99 deposit to book direct, with the balance paid at pick-up
- Free one-way hires from Christchurch to Auckland, and 10% off Bluebridge Cook Strait ferries
Cons
- Google ratings average 3.5, and reviewers report leaks, mould and faulty appliances in older vans
- Only the Happy Summit has a shower, and the Happy Trail has no toilet and isn't self-contained
- You pay for any damage on gravel roads, even with zero-excess cover
- No after-hours pick-up, and no Sunday pick-ups from May to September
Good to know
- Driver age: no minimum or maximum age; you need a current licence for the whole hire
- Licence: bring your physical licence card to pick-up; non-English licences need an International Driving Permit or an approved translation, plus the original
- Bond: NZ$3,000 held on a credit or debit card, not charged; On The Fence (NZ$20 a day) cuts it to NZ$1,500, and Sure Thing (NZ$30) or Worry Free (NZ$45) cut the excess to NZ$0 with a NZ$250 hold
- Fees: card payments carry a 3% surcharge (5% for Amex), every pick-up has a NZ$10 location fee, and public holiday pick-ups or returns cost NZ$75
- Roads: gravel roads are allowed, but you pay for any damage there whatever cover you take; beaches and sand are banned
Compare prices and book
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Happy Campers?
Happy Campers is run by Lucky Rentals Limited, a privately owned Auckland company set up in 2010. The same company runs Lucky Rentals from the same depots, and it part-owns GlobalCampers, which has owned Euro Campers since May 2026.
Is Happy Campers the same as Lucky Rentals?
They are sister brands run by the same company, sharing both depots, the airport shuttle and one set of terms. Each has its own models: Happy Campers rents the Trail, Scout, Horizon, Summit and Cruise.
Is Happy Campers NZ linked to Happy Campers Iceland?
No, Happy Campers in New Zealand and Happy Campers in Iceland are separate businesses, and we found no link between them. This page covers the New Zealand brand only.
Where can I pick up a Happy Campers van?
From two depots: 107 Montgomerie Road, Airport Oaks, near Auckland Airport, and 791 Wairakei Road, next to Christchurch Airport. There is no Queenstown or Wellington depot.
Does Happy Campers have an airport shuttle?
Yes, a free shuttle runs at both depots on pick-up and drop-off days, between about 10am and 4pm. In Auckland it only collects from the International terminal, so domestic arrivals take the free inter-terminal bus first.
How much is the Happy Campers bond?
The standard bond is NZ$3,000, held on your card as a pre-authorisation rather than charged. On The Fence at NZ$20 a day lowers it to NZ$1,500, and Sure Thing or Worry Free cut the excess to zero with a NZ$250 hold.
How old do you have to be to rent from Happy Campers?
There is no minimum or maximum age. You need a current, valid licence for the whole hire and must show the physical card at pick-up.
Which Happy Campers vans have a toilet and shower?
Every model except the Happy Trail has a fixed toilet, and only the Happy Summit also has a shower, with hot and cold water.
Can I freedom camp in a Happy Campers van?
Yes, in the Scout, Horizon, Summit and Cruise, which carry the green certified self-contained sticker. The Happy Trail is not self-contained, so you need a campsite with facilities, and council and DOC rules still apply.
Is there a one-way fee with Happy Campers?
Christchurch to Auckland is free. Auckland to Christchurch carries a one-way fee of about NZ$350, shown in your quote, and changing your pick-up or drop-off depot after booking can cost up to NZ$750.
Are Happy Campers vans automatic?
Yes, all five models are automatic petrol Toyotas: the Happy Trail is an Estima or Alphard, and the other four are Hiace vans.
Can I take my dog in a Happy Campers van?
No, only certified service animals are allowed. Carrying a pet without approval costs NZ$500 plus NZ$250 for cleaning.