Explorer 4–6 Berth
Motorhome
- Seats
- 6
- Sleeps
- 6
- Toilet
- Yes
- Shower
- Yes
- Transmission
- Automatic
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Road Runner Rentals review
Compact campers and bathroom-equipped motorhomes form a focused New Zealand rental range.
Profile reviewed and updated on
Background
Company overview
Road Runner Rentals is a family-owned and operated New Zealand business that has rented campervans and motorhomes since 2006. Its head office is in Christchurch, with Auckland providing a second base for rentals on the North Island.
The company rents vehicles directly, with a range built around Toyota HiAce campers and Mercedes Sprinter-based vehicles. Its two-base operation is supplemented by individually arranged services in Queenstown and Picton.
Our verdict
Editorial review
Road Runner's appeal lies in choosing how much living space and equipment to take on a longer New Zealand trip. The range offers a meaningful step from compact campers to vehicles with an onboard shower, without making a large motorhome the only route to those facilities. The proposition works best when the vehicle requirements and travel dates are settled early: the rental commitment and the financial obligations deserve as much attention as the daily price.
Good points
- Bathroom facilities without six-person capacity..Both the Sprinter and Nomad combine a WC and shower with sleeping arrangements for a smaller party, giving travellers alternatives to the larger Explorer.
- Automatic options across the range..Automatic transmission is available in compact campers as well as the larger vehicles, so choosing a smaller format does not require choosing a manual gearbox.
Things to consider
- A substantial minimum hire..The seasonal minimum rises to 21 days from November 2026 through February 2027. That rules out a shorter rental under the published minimums, even if the vehicle itself suits the trip.
- Protection leaves important exclusions..The optional zero-excess cover still excludes single-vehicle rollover and other specified losses. Buying it does not remove every potential claim against the renter.
Vehicle categories
Road Runner Rentals fleet
Sprinter 2 Berth
Motorhome
- Seats
- 2
- Sleeps
- 2
- Toilet
- Yes
- Shower
- Yes
- Transmission
- Automatic
Nomad 3 Berth
Motorhome
- Seats
- 3
- Sleeps
- 3
- Toilet
- Yes
- Shower
- Yes
- Transmission
- Automatic
HiWay Runner
Campervan
- Seats
- 3
- Sleeps
- 2
- Toilet
- Yes
- Shower
- No
- Transmission
- Automatic
Queenie 2 Berth
Campervan
- Seats
- 3
- Sleeps
- 3
- Toilet
- Yes
- Shower
- No
- Transmission
- Manual
Clubby 2 Berth
Campervan
- Seats
- —
- Sleeps
- 2
- Toilet
- Yes
- Shower
- No
- Transmission
- Automatic
Road Runner's fleet divides into petrol Toyota HiAce campers and larger diesel Mercedes-based vehicles with a WC and shower. Bedding, towels and kitchen utensils are included throughout the six-category range.
Among the HiAce options, the HiWay Runner has an interior height of 1.6 m and a choice of double or twin sleeping arrangements. Queenie offers 1.9 m of interior height, a two-burner cooker and microwave, alongside its manual gearbox. Clubby uses a single cooker and a cooler box. These differences matter more to daily use than their shared two-berth names suggest.
The Sprinter offers double or twin beds for two people. Nomad adds a front single berth measuring 1.75 × 0.66 m, so its three-adult sleeping capacity needs to be considered alongside the actual size of that bed. It also has diesel and mains heating and an outdoor barbecue. The larger Explorer provides three double beds for up to six adults.
Heating deserves particular attention when choosing between the smaller bathroom-equipped vehicles: the Sprinter has a mains-powered heater, while Nomad also has diesel heating. Neither a category name nor the presence of a shower promises an identical interior layout in every supplied vehicle.
Locations
Road Runner Rentals pickup locations
Open each country to see its pickup locations.
New Zealand
-
Christchurch — head office, pickup and return 3 Shirley Road, Shirley, Christchurch 8013
-
Auckland — pickup by appointment 42 Rennie Drive, Airport Oaks / Māngere
Before booking
Practical facts
The security bond, damage excess and protection options below apply under the rental terms for 1 July 2026–30 June 2027. Rental-rate examples retain their own travel periods.
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| Daily price examples | For direct hires from 1 November to 14 December 2026, the Clubby rental rate is NZD 130 per calendar day from Auckland or NZD 125 from Christchurch; the Sprinter rate is NZD 265 per day. From 15 December 2026 through February 2027, the listed daily rates are NZD 185 for Clubby and NZD 395 for Sprinter. These are tariff examples, not booking quotes or availability promises. Rental prices include 15% GST, preparation and consultation. |
| Days charged and minimum hire | Both the pickup and return calendar days are charged. Minimum hire is 14 days from March to October 2026, 21 days from November 2026 through February 2027, and 14 days from March to May 2027. |
| Driver eligibility | Minimum age is 18 for Clubby, Queenie and HiWay Runner, 21 for Sprinter and Nomad, and 25 for Explorer. Drivers need a full licence in English or accompanied by a translation; provisional licences are not accepted. Declared additional drivers are free. |
| Mileage and road-user charges | Unlimited kilometres are included. Explorer, Sprinter and Nomad incur a diesel road-user charge of NZD 8 per 100 km, deducted on return. Clubby, Queenie and HiWay Runner are petrol vehicles and do not incur that charge. It is a distance-based diesel charge, not a fee for exceeding a mileage allowance. |
| Booking payment | A 20% advance confirms a direct booking; the remaining rental payment is due 35 days before pickup. The advance is separate from the security bond. |
| Security bond | Sprinter, Nomad and Explorer require a NZD 1,000 security bond plus a 2% surcharge, using a Visa or Mastercard credit card rather than a debit card. Both the bond and this surcharge are refundable subject to compliance with the rental terms. The bond is separate from damage excess. |
| Damage excess | Standard excess is per claim: NZD 3,500 for small-camper drivers aged 18–21, NZD 3,000 for ages 22–24 and NZD 2,500 for ages 25 and over. For Sprinter, Nomad and Explorer it is NZD 4,000. Under standard liability, the excess is charged at pickup using a credit card. |
| Optional protection | The zero-excess option costs NZD 40 per rental day for small-camper drivers aged 18–21, NZD 35 for ages 22–24 and NZD 30 for ages 25 and over. For the motorhomes it costs NZD 59 per day at ages 21–24 or NZD 49 at 25 and over; Explorer's minimum driver age remains 25. Glass-and-tyre-only protection costs NZD 14.50 per day without the full option. Single-vehicle rollover, recovery, keys and other contractual exclusions remain outside zero-excess cover. |
| Queenstown and Picton arrangements | Queenstown and Picton are arranged services rather than permanent bases. The Auckland–Queenstown service carries a NZD 1,650 fee; a Picton pickup or return service costs NZD 750. These services require an individual arrangement. Bond, protection and extras for an other-city pickup are settled five days before collection. |
| Airport transfers | Free airport transfers are included. Auckland collection is off-terminal and by appointment, at a different address from the return and key-drop point. |
| Child seats | A baby seat or booster costs NZD 50 per rental. Explorer supports child restraints for children from six months to under eight years. The availability of a seat for hire does not establish that it can be fitted in every category. |
| Road restrictions | The rental terms restrict road use and specifically prohibit Skippers Road, Ball Hut Road, Ninety Mile Beach, roads north of Colville and saltwater beaches. Road Runner does not provide a general off-road permission. |
| Assistance and repairs | Roadside assistance is available 24/7. Repairs need the company's consent. Accessory failures are excluded from breakdown reimbursement, and the remedy for time when the vehicle cannot be driven excludes incidental travel costs. An avoidable callout can cost approximately NZD 200. |
| Return condition | An unsatisfactory return condition can incur NZD 50 plus a NZD 90 administration charge. Smoking and animals are prohibited; the associated soiling fee is NZD 300. |
| Return location and extensions | Returning to an unauthorised location can incur NZD 2,500 plus daily rental charges. An unauthorised extension is charged at twice the daily rental rate plus protection for each additional day. |
| Public holidays | A relevant public-holiday collection or return incurs a NZD 100 fee. |
Quick answers
Road Runner Rentals FAQ
Which Road Runner vehicles have a shower?
Explorer, Sprinter and Nomad have an onboard shower and WC. HiWay Runner, Queenie and Clubby have a fixed WC but no shower.
Can three adults travel and sleep in the Nomad?
Yes. Nomad has three travel seats and sleeping capacity for three adults, with a rear double or twin arrangement and a front single berth. The single measures 1.75 × 0.66 m, which is an important fit consideration for the third person.
Does Queenie sleep a child as well as two adults?
Yes, Queenie has a child berth in addition to its two adult sleeping places. Confirm that berth's suitability and the child's restraint arrangement for the supplied vehicle; the presence of the berth alone does not establish either.
Where do I collect and return a Road Runner camper in Auckland?
Collection is by appointment at 42 Rennie Drive, Airport Oaks / Māngere. Return and key drop are at Flyaways Airport Parking, 3 Verissimo Drive, Māngere. They serve different functions, so the return address is not the pickup point.
Can a Road Runner rental start or finish in Queenstown or Picton?
Services in these cities must be arranged with Road Runner; neither is a permanent base. The Auckland–Queenstown arrangement costs NZD 1,650, while the fee for a Picton pickup or return is NZD 750.
Does unlimited mileage include the diesel road-user charge?
No. Explorer, Sprinter and Nomad still incur NZD 8 per 100 km even though the rental includes unlimited kilometres. That diesel charge does not apply to petrol Clubby, Queenie or HiWay Runner rentals.
Can I rent an Explorer if I am under 25?
No. Explorer requires a driver aged at least 25. Sprinter and Nomad are available from age 21; the three smaller campers have a minimum driver age of 18. The full-licence requirement also applies.
Is a one-week Road Runner hire within the published minimums?
No. The minimum is 14 days for March–October 2026 and March–May 2027, rising to 21 days for November 2026–February 2027. A seven-day hire falls below each of those minimums.
Does Road Runner's zero-excess option cover a single-vehicle rollover?
No. Single-vehicle rollover remains excluded. Reducing the damage excess to zero also leaves other exclusions in place and does not remove the separate security-bond requirement for Sprinter, Nomad and Explorer.
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