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Star RV Rentals9 Richard Pearse Drive, 2022 Mangere, Auckland
Star RV Rentals, Polaris models for touring both islands
Star RV Rentals hires out motorhomes on both sides of the Tasman Sea. In New Zealand, the brand has a depot in each of the three main gateways for travellers: Auckland, in the Mangere area, near the airport; Christchurch, on Orchard Road; Queenstown, in Frankton. You can therefore start just as easily on the North Island as in the south of the South Island.
The fleet comes down to three vehicles, all with automatic transmission. The Polaris 2 is a campervan designed for a couple. The Polaris 4 and Polaris 6 belong to the overcab category: a bunk sits above the driver's cab, and each berth corresponds to a seat belt.
All the Star RV offers recorded by CoolDrive in New Zealand include unlimited mileage. The excess recorded is around €3,800 whatever the model; a paid option generally allows you to reduce it.
Our verdict: a good choice for a group of six or for a family who want to stay together in the same vehicle, with a possible departure from Queenstown, handy for Fiordland. Weak points: a very short range, a heavy excess to cover and prices that soar in January, at the height of the southern summer.
Star RV Rentals in detail: what you need to know
The key facts to decide whether Star RV Rentals suits your trip.
General information
- Brand
- Star RV Rentals · motorhomes in New Zealand and Australia
- Range
- Polaris 2, 4 and 6 · one campervan and two overcabs
- Berths
- 2, 4 or 6 · every seat has its own berth
- Transmission
- Automatic · on all three models
Rental conditions
- Minimum age
- Stated in the offer · along with the required years of driving experience
- Driving licence
- Valid licence · in English, otherwise accompanied by an official translation or an international driving permit
- Kilometres
- Unlimited · in 100% of the offers recorded in October 2026
- Excess
- Around €3,800 · from €3,798 to €3,800 depending on the offer
- Security deposit
- Usually by credit card · amount specified in the offer
- One-way hire
- Depending on the route · enter a return city in the search to find out
- Crossing between the islands
- Check the terms and conditions · Cook Strait ferry between Wellington and Picton
Insurance and extras
- Excess reduction
- Paid, as a rule · levels and prices detailed in the offer
- Services on the road
- Linen exchange, gas refill · advertised by the rental company; to be confirmed at the depot
- Vehicle return
- “Drop and Go” formula · quick return advertised by the rental company
Network and availability
- Departure cities
- Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown · one depot in each city
- Auckland
- Mangere · Richard Pearse Drive, airport area
- Christchurch
- Orchard Road · Mustang Park, north-west of the city
- Queenstown
- Frankton · Grant Road
- Other country
- Australia
Prices recorded at Star RV Rentals in New Zealand
| Vehicle | Winter July | Spring October | Summer January | Autumn April |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campervan | from €128/day median €128/day | from €177/day median €177/day | from €189/day median €196/day | from €130/day median €130/day |
| Large motorhome | from €139/day median €139/day | from €186/day median €187/day | from €229/day median €267/day | from €142/day median €143/day |
Daily prices recorded at Star RV Rentals on October 21, 2026 for a 15-day rental from its branches in New Zealand: CoolDrive selling price, mandatory fees included. 100% of offers with unlimited mileage. Median excess: €3,798.
Star RV Rentals branches in New Zealand
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Star RV Rentals Airport157 Orchard Road, Mustang Park, 8051 Christchurch
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Star RV Rentals Airport52 Grant Road, Frankton
Star RV Rentals also operates in one other country
Star RV Rentals compared with other rental companies in New Zealand
Our comparison of the country's rental companies: each has its strengths depending on your trip.
| Rental company | Vehicles | Mileage | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
Star RV Rentals
|
Polaris 2 campervan, Polaris 4 and 6 overcabs | Unlimited in 100% of the offers recorded | Groups of up to six, 3 cities including Queenstown |
McRent
|
Vans, motorhomes and large models (Urban, Compact, Comfort, Family) | Unlimited in 100% of the offers recorded | Ranges available in several levels, 2 cities |
Pacific Horizon
|
2+1, GEM-4, Max 4Berth and SAM motorhomes, plus vans | Unlimited in 100% of the offers recorded | Several 4-berth motorhomes, 3 cities |
Chill'd by JUCY
|
Cloudbreak 2-berth van, Big Kahuna 6-berth large model | Unlimited in 100% of the offers recorded | One van and one six-seater, 3 cities |
Kiwi Campers
|
Kiwi 2, Hi 4, Hi 5, Deluxe and Traveller vans | Unlimited in 100% of the offers recorded | Wide choice of vans, 2 cities |
Star RV Rentals: who is it for, and who should look elsewhere?
Star RV Rentals is ideal if…
- There are five or six of you and you want to travel in a single vehicle
- You land in Auckland and head for Northland, the Coromandel or Rotorua
- You want to start with Queenstown, the southern lakes and the road to Milford Sound
- You plan to cover both islands without watching the odometer
- You prefer an automatic so you can concentrate on driving on the left
Star RV Rentals is not ideal if…
- Committing to an excess of nearly €3,800 makes you uneasy
- You want to set off from Wellington or Picton: no Star RV depot is listed there
- You are travelling in January on a tight budget: it is the most expensive month in our records
- You like plenty of choice: the brand only offers three Polaris models
Our tips for booking with Star RV Rentals
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Find out about “self-contained” certification
In New Zealand, spending the night outside a designated site is generally reserved for vehicles certified self-contained, fitted with a fixed toilet. If you plan to sleep out in the wild, check this point on the page of the Polaris you choose. Otherwise, plan on campsites or Department of Conservation sites.
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Book the Cook Strait ferry early
To get from one island to the other, the motorhome boards a ferry between Wellington and Picton. In summer, spaces for large vehicles go quickly: book the crossing as soon as your dates are fixed, and check in the rental terms and conditions that the crossing is allowed.
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Prepare for winter if you start in the South
In July, the cheapest month in our records, snow and ice can affect the passes of the South Island, such as the Crown Range near Queenstown or Arthur's Pass from Christchurch. Check road conditions every morning, drive in daylight and plan shorter stages.
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Factor the excess into your budget
With an excess recorded at around €3,800, the security deposit blocks a large sum on your card. Two solutions: book an excess reduction option at the start, or make sure your card limit covers this amount on top of your travel expenses, fuel and campsites included.
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Walk around the vehicle before you leave
At the depot, photograph the bodywork, windscreen and tyres, test the heating, fridge and water, then check the kitchen inventory. Save the assistance number in your phone: on the remote roads of the West Coast, there is often no mobile signal.
Your questions about Star RV Rentals
How much does a Star RV hire cost in New Zealand?
Our prices recorded in October 2026 (15-day hire, mandatory fees included) show that the Polaris 2 starts at €128 per day in July. Its median rises to €130 in April, €177 in October and €196 in January. For the Polaris 4 and 6 overcabs, the median is €139 in July, €143 in April, €187 in October and €267 in January.
Where can you set off from with Star RV in New Zealand?
Three depots are listed. In Auckland, it is in Mangere, near the international airport. In Christchurch, it is on Orchard Road, in Mustang Park. In Queenstown, it is based in Frankton. The two South Island cities let you start straight away with the Southern Alps, Lake Tekapo or Fiordland.
Which Polaris should you choose for a New Zealand road trip?
For two, the Polaris 2 slips more easily along narrow mountain roads and into village car parks. The Polaris 4 suits a family of four, with a bed above the cab. The Polaris 6 takes six people, both seated and sleeping: ideal for sharing costs among friends.
Can you sleep outside campsites with a Star RV?
It depends on the vehicle's certification. New Zealand law generally reserves freedom camping for certified self-contained vehicles with a fixed toilet, and each local council sets its own permitted areas. Check the certification of the Polaris you book on its page or with our experts, and locate sites with a camping app before you leave.
Is mileage unlimited with Star RV in New Zealand?
Yes. In our October 2026 records, every New Zealand Star RV offer includes unlimited kilometres, on all three models and in all three cities. A route linking Cape Reinga to Bluff, or a loop via the West Coast and Fiordland, therefore costs nothing extra in distance. Only fuel and ferries remain to be budgeted for.
They rented with Star RV Rentals
Very good email contact. Great responsiveness.
Quick and efficient response
The car was very good. It's just that for tall people (I am 1.89m), it's short for sleeping lengthwise. With 20 cm more, it would have been more comfortable. But that's just something to know when you are tall. We also hadn't been really warned about the legislation regarding Self Contained vehicles in New Zealand. Since the vehicle did not meet these standards, we spent two months looking for free camping spots, often stressing about getting caught. But we faced zero fines in 2 months. Finally, the fridge never worked in the car, but we had just experienced that for a month and a half in Australia as well, so we were used to living without a fridge.
FAQ — Star RV motorhome hire in New Zealand
Why book Star RV with CoolDrive?
A single CoolDrive search shows the Polaris models available for your dates alongside the campervans and motorhomes of the other New Zealand rental companies. Every price includes mandatory fees, and both the excess and the mileage appear in the details. If you have any doubt about the model, the departure city or the ferry between the islands, our experts will answer you.
What is the excess with Star RV in New Zealand?
Our records show an excess of around €3,798 to €3,800, the same for the campervan and the two overcabs. In the event of damage, this is the maximum amount left for you to pay with the basic insurance. The rental company generally offers a paid reduction: its price and exclusions are specified in the offer, to be read before you confirm.
Can you take the ferry between the two islands with a Star RV?
Anyone who wants to see both islands has to cross the Cook Strait by boat, from Wellington to Picton or the other way round. The rental company's rules on taking the vehicle across are set out in the rental terms and conditions: read them before booking. Budget for the crossing separately and buy it well in advance, especially from December to February.
Can you return the Polaris in another city?
Returning to Christchurch or Queenstown after setting off from Auckland is a classic pattern for crossing the country from north to south. Star RV accepts it depending on the route and the period, with possible fees. Enter your return city in the search engine: only compatible offers appear, fees included.
What services does Star RV offer during the hire?
The rental company highlights a linen exchange during the trip, refilling of the gas bottle and a quick return called “Drop and Go”. These services may vary by depot and season: have them confirmed when you collect the vehicle. The details of each Polaris also list the equipment provided on board.
When should you hire a Star RV in New Zealand?
January, in the height of the southern summer, combines late sunsets and crowds: it is also the month when our records find the Polaris models at their most expensive. Autumn, in March and April, keeps mild temperatures with prices close to those of winter. In July, prices are at their lowest, provided you accept the cold and possible snow in the South.
Hire a Star RV motorhome in New Zealand with CoolDrive Nomad
In New Zealand, Star RV Rentals relies on a tight range: the Polaris 2 campervan and the Polaris 4 and Polaris 6 overcabs, all with automatic transmission. Its depots in Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown cover both islands, from the Bay of Islands to Lakes Wanaka and Wakatipu. Every offer recorded leaves kilometres free, an asset in a country where distances look short on the map but stretch out on mountain roads.
On CoolDrive Nomad, compare Star RV with McRent, Pacific Horizon or Chill'd by JUCY, with the excess, the options and a price including mandatory fees for each offer. Our experts help you choose the right Polaris, the departure city and the season. Start a search with your dates to see the vehicles available.
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