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Rising international visitor numbers are continuing to drive demand for rental vehicles, particularly in key tourism gateways and regions.
Data from Stats NZ shows overseas visitor arrivals reached 3.51 million in 2025, up 195,600 (6 per cent) on the previous year.
The increase in arrivals is contributing to higher demand for flexible transport options, especially among visitors travelling beyond main centres and exploring multiple destinations.
Self-drive travel remains key
Self-drive travel continues to play a central role in how visitors move around New Zealand, particularly in regions where public transport options are limited.
Tourism hubs such as Queenstown are seeing strong demand for rental vehicles, driven by visitors accessing surrounding attractions including ski fields, wineries and outdoor experiences.
Gateway locations including Auckland Airport are also experiencing steady demand, as both domestic and international travellers seek immediate onward transport.
Changing booking behaviour
Global trends are also influencing the sector, with research from Skift Research estimating the car rental market generated around US$92 billion (approximately NZ$156 billion) in revenue in 2024, with 74 per cent of bookings made online.
The shift towards online booking is enabling travellers to plan transport in advance, supporting more flexible and independent itineraries.
Adapting to visitor demand
Operators are responding to evolving travel patterns by adjusting service models to support longer stays and multi-region travel.
This includes greater availability across multiple locations and services designed to support extended journeys across both islands.
The trend reflects broader changes in visitor behaviour, with travellers increasingly prioritising flexibility and access when planning trips.
