Canadian Travellers Driving Surge In Manual Campervan Bookings In New Zealand

Monday, 22 December 2025, 4:40 pm
Press Release: Road Runner Rentals

The increase of Fiji Airways flights for the Nadi - Vancouver route is driving a surge in Canadian visitors, along with unexpected demand for manual campervan rental in New Zealand.

Road Runner Rentals has recorded a recent increase in campervan hire bookings from Canadian travellers, driven by a preference for manual vehicles, according to the company.

Unlike travellers from countries where automatic vehicles dominate New Zealand road trips, many Canadians regularly drive manual vehicles at home.

“Most other nationalities don’t know how to drive manual vehicles. Driving confidence has a big impact on how travellers experience a road trip,” said Randall Diggs, owner of Road Runner Rentals. “For Canadian visitors, the vehicle handling feels familiar from the moment they arrive, which makes exploring New Zealand by campervan far less daunting.”

Manual campervans are often favoured for the additional sense of control they provide on New Zealand’s varied terrain, including being able to shift into lower gears to descend steep alpine passes like Arthurs’ Pass and rural South Island routes.

Road Runner Rentals’ manual Queenie 2-berth campervan has emerged as a popular choice among Canadian travellers. Based on late-model Toyota HiAce vehicles, the Queenie offers a manual transmission, strong fuel efficiency and a compact layout. This self-contained motorhome is well suited to couples or small families planning extended self-drive holidays.

Founded in 2006, Road Runner Rentals is a family-owned and operated New Zealand campervan and motorhome rental company, operating from its Christchurch head office with pick-up and drop-off locations in Christchurch and Auckland. The company specialises in vehicles customised for New Zealand conditions and places a strong emphasis on customer service, local travel knowledge and community support.

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