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New Zealand’s car rental market is continuing to benefit from broader growth in global vehicle hire, with demand being driven by recovering tourism, business travel and the appeal of flexible self-drive transport.
Global Market Insights estimates the global car rental market was worth US$103.4 billion in 2025 and projects it will grow to US$191.4 billion by 2035, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 6.5 per cent.
In New Zealand, Christchurch remains a key gateway for that demand, particularly for travellers starting South Island road trips and business visitors moving between regional centres. The city’s airport and position as a transport hub continue to make it an important base for rental activity.
Demand is also being supported by a wide range of traveller types, from families and leisure visitors to university groups and corporate teams needing larger vehicles or multi-vehicle bookings for regional travel.
The release says operators with nationwide branch networks and broader fleet mixes are well placed to benefit as travellers increasingly look for affordable rental options that can support longer itineraries across both islands.
Additional global data from Technavio points to further growth in the sector between 2025 and 2030, underlining the longer-term opportunity for New Zealand rental providers as international and domestic travel patterns continue to evolve.
