Mon 26 Oct 2026 → Mon 2 Nov 2026 · 7 nights · NZD · pay on arrival
94Listings
$931Median total
$485Cheapest
Snapshot · Mon 11 May 2026
Listings
94
9 suppliers · 8 categories
Median total
$931.27
≈ $133 / day
Cheapest
$485.00
Alamo Toyota Yaris or similar · $69.29/day
Top end
$1,989.01
Avis Ford Everest or similar
Spread
4.1×
High ÷ low
§ 01The period7 nights · Labour Day weekend
Christchurch car hire costs surge for Labour Day
Labour Day weekend marks the traditional start of the warmer months, sparking a noticeable spike in domestic tourism across New Zealand. With spring well underway, Christchurch serves as a highly popular gateway for South Island road trips and family holidays. This surge in demand inevitably tightens availability and drives up car rental prices in the city. Our report analyses 94 listings to reveal what travellers can expect to pay for a seven-day hire over this busy holiday period.
The data reveals a stark contrast in supplier pricing, with average weekly costs ranging from $706.62 at budget-friendly Apex up to $1387.44 at Avis. Interestingly, there is a massive 4.1x price spread across the entire market, meaning the absolute cheapest vehicle sits at $485 while the top-end model demands $1989.01. This highlights the importance of comparing brands rather than settling for the first available option.
In terms of fleet composition, standard petrol vehicles and five-seat configurations completely dominate the market, comprising 74 and 75 listings respectively. Renters looking for hybrid or electric alternatives will find incredibly limited choice, with only 14 hybrid and 2 electric cars currently available. To secure the best rates and ensure the right vehicle size for a holiday group, booking well ahead of the October rush is highly recommended.
§01Ranked by avg. pricerange bar · avg tick
$0$300$600$900$1.2k
Apex offers the most affordable rates across the board at an average of $706.62, undercutting premium brands like Avis and Hertz which sit closer to the $1400 mark.
§02Anatomy of a quoteavg / hire
The base rate makes up roughly two-thirds of the total rental cost at 66.88 percent, leaving GST, location fees, and vehicle registration to account for the remaining third.
§03Price band by category$200–$1,100 axis
Travellers can halve their rental costs by choosing an Economy car at an average of $613.55, compared to Premium vehicles which average a hefty $1561.48 for the week.
§04Fleet mix94 listings
Drivetrain
Seats
The Christchurch fleet is overwhelmingly dominated by standard internal combustion engine vehicles and five-seat setups, making larger seven to nine-seat people movers a much rarer find.
§05Cheapest in each categorytotal / 7 nights · per-day below
Alamo sweeps the budget-friendly options with the cheapest Economy and Compact cars starting at $485 and $499.99, while Apex provides the lowest rates for larger family SUVs.