Punting on the Avon River is back in business

The re-build is well and truly underway and many businesses have opened or re-opened as business growth continues. The Christchurch USAVE team are enjoying our new premises in Roydvale Avenue which we moved into in November, providing us with a lot more space for our expanding fleet options and also allowing us to deliver an even better service experience to our valued customers.

Our new Christchurch car rentals depot in Roydvale Ave

Our car rental fleet has grown in the last few months to meet demand and we are well positioned to grow with Christchurch over the years to come. Now is a great time to either do business in Christchurch or visit the gateway to the South Island for pleasure and we have a large range of rental vehicle options for almost any requirement – cars, 4WD (ski season is not far away!), vans, minibuses, utes and trucks.

Our new depot is less than 5 minutes from Christchurch Airport with a shuttle pick up service available to drop you off at our depot. See you in Christchurch!

USAVE Director Bruce celebrates his 70th Birthday with some of his Auckland car rentals team.

From left: Murray (Auckland City Manager), Mike (Mechanic), Jean (Customer Services), Bruce (Director/Birthday boy), Andrew (Director), Sioa (Mechanic).

Bruce still works full time 4 days a week at Head Office at Auckland Airport with son and fellow Director Andrew.

Father and son Directors Bruce and Andrew Strong

Bruce and Christine (Customer Services)

Later that evening, Bruce hit the town with wife Robin, her sister Maureen and her hubby Carey. He travelled in style in a Lincoln Towncar limousine so the shoe was on the other foot as he became limo hire customer for the evening!

Bruce and Robin about to hit Auckland in a Lincoln Towncar limo

Bruce enjoys a birthday dinner at Sails Restaurant with wife Robyn, her sister Maureen and her husband Carey

Bruce will be celebrating further in Rotorua for a couple of nights this weekend with his children and grandchildren and a whole bunch of fun activities organised.

Hey wait for me!

We’re hoping Bruce has no plans to put his feet up and retire any time soon and look forward to celebrating his next milestone birthday. Many happy returns Bruce!

The Bay of Islands lies on the eastern coast of this northern stretch of land, and offers a stunning marine playground full of private golden beaches and water activities. It is also fast emerging as a food and wine hotspot, with lots of delicious produce being sold in Keri Keri. For those looking for something a little different, it’s also home to New Zealand’s “best toilet”!

If you’re more into wildlife and nature, the Whangarei district offers a number of unique ecosystems with fascinating plant, fish and bird life. Whether it’s through the forests or along the beach, there are many stunning walks that reward you with breathtaking views.

Spectacular Whangarei Falls. Image: www.sxc.hu/profile/dev03

Continue northwards with your Auckland car rental and you reach the Kapiti Coast and Cape Reinga – the most northern point in New Zealand. Sand safaris take you out to the sand dunes and Ninety Mile Beach, while many of the small towns in the region are home to local artisans and foodies, so you can enjoy a spot of culture and great dining.

Northland provides a wealth of activities, and a rental car gives you the flexibility to enjoy the ones at the top of your list.

Some activities to try in Northland:

• Swimming with dolphins
• Scuba diving
• Kayaking and jet boating
• Surfing
• Sailing and ocean cruises
• Forest walks and nature trails
• Caving and climbing
• Helicopter tours and scenic flights
• Paragliding and hang gliding

Find out more and check out more Northland activities to enjoy in your Auckland car rental.

Auckland Car Rental Options

Getting around Northland and the top of the North Island is easy with a rental car and there are plenty of options for you to choose from.

USAVE has a range of affordable hire car options, allowing you to explore the region’s beautiful beaches and charming towns at your leisure.

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Heading northbound, you’ll find the climate gradually grow warmer as you go, until you reach the spectacular wine country of Marlborough. Taking State Highway 1 out of Christchurch will bring you slightly inland, so to get to the coast it’s recommended you turn off at one of the many smaller beaches such as Goose Bay or Moeraki Bay – home to a collection of strange round boulders.

Mist covered boulders at Moeraki

Keep driving and you’ll arrive at Kaikoura, famous for its seafood and whale watching. An hour or so further on will bring to you Blenheim which marks the start of the exceptional viticulture district in this area. Here you can head east to enjoy the beaches or travel west to explore the many world-class wineries. At the top of the east of the South Island sits Picton, a pretty little town where you can catch a ferry across to Wellington, or return your car hire to Christchurch via an inland route.

Travelling south from Christchurch, you’ll come across a number of character rich towns such as Timaru, as well as the steampunk capital of New Zealand, Oamaru. Many rare and native birds make this area their home, with colonies of penguins and albatross dotting the coast. The further south of Christchurch you go, the cooler the temperature gets, so if you’re going in winter make sure you plan your car hire to be able to cope. Dunedin and Invercargill mark two of the southernmost towns, each with a number of historic and wildlife attractions. For the true sea and coast lover, Stewart Island offers a largely untouched paradise rich in native bush and wildlife.

Car Hire Christchurch – Options

Getting around Christchurch and the eastern coastline of the South Island is easy with a hire car and there are plenty of options for you to choose from.

USAVE has a large range of affordable hire cars, allowing you to explore the beautiful beaches and charming towns at your leisure.

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USAVE has a large car hire fleet offering plenty of options to suit your travel needs and group size. The following hire car types are popular choices:

4 Wheel Drive Car Hire New Zealand – If you plan to leave the beaten track, a 4 wheel drive rental car is the perfect choice. Much of New Zealand’s most beautiful scenery lies in remote areas, and a powerful engine is essential for traversing big hills and snaking roads. We have several different 4WD hire car options including a budget version.

People Mover Car Hire New Zealand – For those with larger families or groups of friends travelling together, a people mover provides plenty of room and comfort for everyone. These minivans seat 8 people plus luggage, making them perfect for small groups.

Super Thrifty Hatchback Car Hire New Zealand – For those travelling on a tight budget, a thrifty little hatchback is a perfect solution. They fit 2 adults and 2 children plus luggage in the back, and are compact and affordable, making them especially suitable for day trips or city use.

Touring Car Hire New Zealand – A touring car is popular for exactly the reason it states – touring. Comfortable and roomy with a powerful engine, a touring hire car can handle New Zealand’s notoriously meandering roads with ease, great for longer road trips.

Take a look at our large car hire vehicle fleet available from handy New Zealand locations in Auckland, Palmerston North, Christchurch and Dunedin.

Image: http://www.sxc.hu/profile/pippy133

The excellent thing about travelling in New Zealand is how many different locations there are to explore within easy reach of the main centres. Just outside Christchurch lies the Banks Peninsula, an outcrop of land that is home to many different bays, each with their own unique little townships and character. An entire holiday could be devoted to sampling them all, or you could use your Christchurch car rental to make day trips to one or two of these fantastic locations.

Banks Peninsula Highlights

The largest and most famous bay is Akaroa, about 90 minutes from Christchurch. This is New Zealand’s only French settlement, and still contains an authentic French flavour. Full of cafes, arts and crafts stores and charming cottages, Akaroa is a sweet and romantic getaway destination. Dolphin watching and fishing trips also leave from the local wharf. There are also a number of vineyards in the area within easy reach with your rental car. If you’re looking for a rustic retreat, Tree Crop Farm is a unique experience, offering a series of intimate cabins set among beautiful gardens, featuring cosy fires, outdoor baths, candles and big brass beds. Some units have electricity and bathrooms and others are completely off the grid.

From Akaroa you can drive up to the Summit Road, from which all the smaller bays are accessed. Le Bons Bay is a small, private village with a pretty beach and lots of sleepy batches, whereas Okains Bay contains a family camping ground and more adventurous activities. Most of these bays will have either no or limited shops, so grab some supplies from the Four Square in Akaroa to keep you fed and watered throughout the day.

On the way back, Diamond Harbour is a pretty town which is an ideal location for a picnic or BBQ and a swim in the bay. Follow the road around the Bays to discover great family friendly swimming spots and easy walks (try Governors Bay, Rapaki Bay, Cass Bay or Corsair Bay). Finally, stop off in the quaint port town of Lyttelton, a friendly community with funky cafes and an excellent farmers market that takes place on Saturdays. When you depart Lyttelton you can drive your car rental back to central Christchurch through the 2km long Lyttelton Tunnel which burrows its way through the Port Hills.

Car Rental Christchurch

If you’re looking for an affordable Christchurch car rental to transport you to the Banks Peninsula, look no further than our new Christchurch rental car depot just a few minutes from the Airport. We have a large selection of rental cars, vans and minibuses for all your Christchurch travel needs and budgets.

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The September 2010 and February 2011 earthquakes and resulting aftershocks caused serious damage across the city, with torn up roads and unsafe buildings causing many road closures. However, repairs are well underway and much of the central business district has reopened, with access routes improving every day.

Despite this there are still a number closed roads and diversions in place, as well as some moderately damaged streets still operating, making driving conditions a bit challenging for the uninitiated.  So how can you get around the city safely in a Christchurch rental car?

Christchurch Safe Driving Tips

• Look ahead and be extra vigilant. Road conditions in Christchurch can change very quickly and although there should be plenty of warning signs, potholes, lane changes, diversions and road closures can catch even the locals off guard, so study the road ahead of you and decide well in advance if you need to turn off or change lanes.
• Be courteous and careful. Leave plenty of space behind the vehicle in front, double check your blind spots and signal clearly before changing direction so as not to cause other drivers to break sharply or take evasive action.
• Go slowly. The bumpy, potholed roads can do significant damage to your Christchurch rental car if you hit them too fast, so reducing your speed, especially on damaged roads is a good idea. Excessive speed can also further damage these roads and shake residents’ unstable homes, so please be mindful.
• Allow extra time. Changes to traffic flows in the city have unpredictable consequences, and you may find yourself in a jam or taking a detour. Give yourself more time to reach your destination than you normally would to compensate.

Getting Around Christchurch

Because detours, lane closures and repair schedules are changing on a regular basis the best way to ensure your planned route is accessible is to check one of the websites set up to keep Christchurch locals updated.

• Transport for Christchurch – interactive map updated in real time with traffic speeds, road works and alerts
• Christchurch Earthquake Roads & Bridges Map – large map updated every 3 hours showing closures, weight restrictions and access routes – satellite street view available
• Christchurch City Council: Roads – information about the status of roads in Christchurch
• Find:Chch – find places to visit and things to do in Christchurch with this interactive map

Christchurch is still a beautiful city with many things to see and do, and the events of the last couple of years needn’t put people off hiring a Christchurch rental car and seeing the sights. You do need an extra level of caution, but the city’s story of hope and recovery is one of the reasons Christchurch is such an interesting and unique place to visit right now.

Christchurch Rental Cars

If you’re looking for an affordable rental car for your stay in Christchurch, look no further than our brand new Christchurch rental car depot just a few minutes from the Airport. We have a large selection of rental cars, vans and minibuses for all your Christchurch travel needs.

Our new Christchurch Car Rentals location on Roydvale Ave

Our new location is just 5 minutes from Christchurch International Airport by courtesy shuttle, making it easy to pick up and drop off your rental car avoiding the busy airport car park.

The USAVE team celebrates the opening of their new Christchurch car rentals depot

Bruce and Andrew Strong travelled down from the Auckland Head Office to celebrate the grand opening with their Christchurch car rentals team. From left to right: Bruce (Managing Director), Chris (Customer Services), Andrew (Sales & Marketing Manager), Mel (Christchurch Manager), Jude (Customer Services).

Our bright and spacious Christchurch car rentals depot reception area

We hope you like it as much as we do! Check out our Christchurch car rentals location for details of where to find us.

We also have other New Zealand car rental locations for your convenience. We’ve got the lower South Island covered with our Dunedin car rental branch, and in the North Island we have handy depots at Auckland Airport, Auckland City and Palmerston North.

To avoid tears and tantrums, consider the following tips for travelling by car with kids:

1. Keep everyone hydrated

Dehydration is a major reason that kids can get grumpy or operate on a shorter fuse than normal. Make sure everyone has a water bottle and that it’s filled regularly.

2. Keep everyone cool

Similarly, high temperatures can lead to high tensions. Most New Zealand car rental vehicles will have excellent AC and coolers but check before you book your rental car.

3. Block out the sun

Bright sunlight can give kids a headache, especially if they’re on the side of the car that’s continuously being exposed to it. Use a towel lodged in the window to shield them from New Zealand’s harsh sun.

4. Keep everyone occupied

Kids act up when they’re bored, so making sure they have some kind of entertainment on hand nips this kind of behaviour in the bud.

5. Stop regularly and meaningfully

Quick leg stretchers are important for any trip, but for kids it’s important to get away from the car and give them a proper break. Make sure your route has plenty of rest stops – there’s nothing worse for your stress levels than hearing that someone wants the toilet or is hungry every five minutes.

Travelling with children on New Zealand’s roads can be an ordeal if you don’t prepare properly, but it’s something that can be made a lot easier by thinking ahead and keeping everyone happy and comfortable.

Car Rental New Zealand

If you’re planning a holiday, road trip or weekend away in NZ and need transportation, USAVE has a large range of car rental vehicles available from handy New Zealand locations. Choose from Auckland (city or Airport), Palmerston North, Christchurch and Dunedin.

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Why Choose New Zealand Car Rentals

• Everything’s pretty close together and traffic is far lighter than other countries, so car travel times are comparatively low in New Zealand. Unlike huge landmass countries such as Australia or the USA, it’s possible to traverse the entire length of the country in a few days if you really wish.
• New Zealand car rentals show you more of the scenery. And what amazing scenery it is! Not only is the New Zealand landscape incredibly beautiful, it’s also extremely diverse. You’ll encounter wide plains, snowy mountains, lush native forests, rugged coastlines and spectacular beaches all in the same day. There’s a reason Hollywood keeps filming movies here – the natural splendour of the country is easily accessible and totally unique.
• You can avoid the beaten track by visiting smaller, less well known towns and attractions along your route. Most tourists will see all the main sights, so to make your holiday stand out from the rest head off the tourist trail to experience something different. New Zealand car rentals give you the freedom and mobility to investigate the little hidden treasures along the way and a well-informed car rental agent will be able to advise you on some of the local best kept secrets.
• Although there are some budget airlines such as Jetstar, air travel in New Zealand can get expensive, especially if you want to visit several regions. New Zealand car rentals can be more cost effective and allow you to travel exactly where you want, when you want. No rushing to catch your flight, no cramped seating and waiting in line – just jump in your hire car and go!

So when you make your New Zealand travel plans, consider which transportation option best suits you. If you’re pressed for time, nothing beats the speed and efficiency of flying. If you have more time to spare and can take a more relaxed pace, a rental car gives you the ability to see more at your own page and create a trip that you’ll always remember.