Your New Zealand Discount Rental Car Specialists

At globalCARS.com.au, we specialise in New Zealand car hires at discounted prices. Business travellers, students on a budget or families on holiday use our prepaid car rental services to get to their destination in comfort for less.

Explore New Zealand on your Next Car Rental Holiday

New Zealand 's awesome landscapes, lush forests, amazing wildlife and pleasant climate make it a haven for many outdoor activities, and a great place to unwind. New Zealand society is diverse, sophisticated, and multicultural, and the honesty, friendliness, and openness of Kiwis will impress you. And the great advantage of New Zealand is that all of its diverse physical, cultural, and artistic landscapes are so close to each other!

With vast open spaces filled with stunning rugged landscapes, gorgeous beaches, often spectacular geothermal and volcanic activity, a temperate climate and fascinating animal and plant life, and it is no surprise that New Zealand 's pure natural environment is so attractive to visitors from other countries. And the great advantage of New Zealand is there are many different landscapes, environments, and ecosystems so close to each other.

New Zealanders have a unique and dynamic culture, with European, Maori, Pacific and Asian influences. It's a culture that celebrates te many different lifestyles we live, and the stories we have to tell.

New Zealand is 1,600 km long and 450 km wide at its widest part. Covering an area of approximately 270,500 sq km (all islands combined) it is roughly the size of Japan , the British Isles or California - large enough to contain a huge variety of scenic attractions, and small enough so you can get to see most of them.

Constantly changing and compact landscapes mean that driving in New Zealand is never boring. Get behind the wheel and off you go!

Driving Advice NEW ZEALAND:

Whilst road conditions are generally good in New Zealand, it takes a little while to get used to local driving conditions. In 2006 there were 91 road deaths in New Zealand (source: New Zealand Ministry of Transport). This equates to 9.2 road deaths per 100,000 of population and compares to the UK average of 5.5 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2005. You are advised to read a copy of the Road Code (the official guide to traffic rules and traffic safety) before driving. Particular attention should be given to the section covering the right of way rules, which are different from other countries. UK driving licences are valid for use for a maximum of 12 months.

Child Seats:

All children under the age of five must be properly restrained by an approved child restraint when travelling in cars or vans. An adult safety belt is not enough.
Children under 5:
Must be properly restrained in an approved child restraint.

Children between 5 and 7:
Must use a child restraint if available.
If there is no child restraint available, the child must use a safety belt if available.
If there is no safety belt available the child must be in the back seat.

Children between 8 and 14:
Must use safety belts if available.
If there is no safety belt available, the child must be sit in the back seat.

People over 14:
Drivers and passengers must wear safety belts when available.
The fine for not wearing a safety belt or allowing a person under the age of 15 to travel unrestrained is $150 for each belt not worn.
It is the driver's responsibility to ensure anyone under the age of 15 is wearing a safety belt or approved child restraint. People aged 15 and over are responsible for their own fine.

Speed Limits:

The maximum speed limit on the open road is 100km/h
Urban Areas
The maximum speed limit for all urban areas is 50km/h
LSZ: This means you can drive at the open road speed of 100km/h. Provided it is safe to do so. However, if conditions are hazardous because weather is bad, visibility is poor, there are people, animals, cyclists or lots of vehicles on road or the road is in poor condition then you must drive at 50km/h.

While traffic is very light on several roads in Otago and Southland, drivers must not let their concentration levels drop, because the unexpected can always happen

Curve warning signs
These signs warn you that you are coming up to a curve and recommend a safe and comfortable speed.

Special Rules for slow drivers
If you are travelling slower than the speed limit and there are vehicles following you must keep as close to the left of the road as possible - pull over as soon as it is safe to let following vehicles past - never speed up on straight stretches of road to prevent following vehicles from passing you.

Tolls:

There are currently no Toll roads in New Zealand. But much discussion is going on. www.stuff.co.nz

Give Way Rules:

It is important that you know the give way rules as they apply to New Zealand. Otherwise, you could be involved in a crash at an intersection.

What are the give way rules?
If you are going straight ahead, give way to all vehicles coming straight through from your right.

If you are turning, give way to all vehicles that are not turning.

If you are turning left, give way to vehicles coming towards you that are turning right.

If you are turning right, give way to vehicles on your right that are turning right.

If you are leaving the path of the centre line, you are turning. You must give way to vehicles that are following the centre line.
Where do the give way rules apply?
Traffic lights.
GIVE WAY signs.
STOP signs.
Police officers directing traffic
and also at intersections where:
Two vehicles are coming towards each other and both are at STOP signs.

Two vehicles are coming towards each other and both are at GIVE WAY signs.

Online Newspapers in New Zealand
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/
http://www.stuff.co.nz/
MyTown
Scoop