Driving in New Zealand

For your safety and comfort we have put together some driving tips which we hope you will find useful.

The most important thing to remember is that in New Zealand, driving is on the LEFT HAND SIDE of the road.

Speed Limit

The maximum speed limit for the open road in New Zealand is 100 kilometres/hour (62 miles/hour) for our 2-berth campervans and 90 kilometres/hour (56 miles/hour) for our 4- and 6-berth motorhomes. Drivers generally travel slightly under the speed limit.

Please note that average speeds are lower and it takes longer to travel distances in New Zealand than might be expected. This is due to the hilly and mountainous nature of our countryside.

Rural Driving

Many roads have gravel verges. Be mindful to keep clear of the verge, especially on corners. Some isolated roads are unsealed and use gravel as the surface. In these cases, drive slowly. Note that there are some roads which are not suitable for campervans and on which KEA places restrictions. Please refer to our terms and conditions for more information.

During winter and early spring, some roads in the South Island and central North Island may be closed due to snow and ice. There will usually be an alternative route for you to take.

Unsealed Ski Access Roads

North Island: Tukino
South Island: Mount Hutt, Cardrona, Remarkables, Broken River, Mount Cheeseman, Porter Heights, Craigieburn, Treble Cone, Temple Basin, Hamner Spings, Mt. Lyford, Mt. Robert, Rainbow, Mt. Olympus, Mt. Dobson, Ohau.

Seat Belts
It is compulsory in New Zealand that the driver and all passengers wear their seatbelts. This is an important safety requirement.

More Information

For more detailed information, you can visit the New Zealand Government Land Transport Safety Authority website. Here you will find information specifically for visitors who intend to drive in New Zealand.