Fri 1 Jan 2027 → Fri 8 Jan 2027 · 7 nights · NZD · pay on arrival
95Listings
$1,395Median total
$713Cheapest
Snapshot · Mon 11 May 2026
Listings
95
9 suppliers · 8 categories
Median total
$1,395.31
≈ $199 / day
Cheapest
$712.81
Apex Toyota Corolla Hatch or similar · $101.83/day
Top end
$2,550.50
Hertz 12 Seat Bus or similar
Spread
3.6×
High ÷ low
§ 01The period7 nights · 2027 New Year holiday
Christchurch car hire costs surge for New Year week
Kicking off 2027 in the South Island requires early planning, especially for travellers flying into Christchurch. The New Year holiday period brings a massive wave of domestic and international tourists eager to explore Canterbury and beyond. Consequently, demand for rental vehicles is heavily concentrated, leading to premium pricing across the market. Understanding these early-January rate dynamics is crucial for securing a fair deal on the ground.
Our data analysis of 95 available listings reveals a highly stratified pricing environment among the nine major suppliers. Apex stands out as the clear value leader with an average weekly rate of $960, whereas competitors like Sixt and Enterprise charge upwards of $1630. The overall market median sits at $1395, highlighting the substantial savings achievable by comparing brands before booking.
In terms of vehicle availability, the market is currently dominated by five-seater, standard petrol cars. Hybrid options are present but account for just 14 of the 95 listings, making early booking essential for eco-conscious drivers. Renters should also consider booking a Compact car to avoid premium surcharges, as they offer the lowest overall prices and excellent fuel efficiency for South Island road trips.
§01Ranked by avg. pricerange bar · avg tick
$0$300$600$900$1.2k
Apex offers the most competitive rates for a week-long hire at $960 on average, while premium brands like Sixt and Enterprise sit at the top of the pricing tier.
§02Anatomy of a quoteavg / hire
The base vehicle rate makes up roughly three-quarters (74.4%) of the total rental cost, with GST adding another 15% to the final quote.
§03Price band by category$200–$1,100 axis
Travellers can save significantly by choosing a Compact car at an average of $1156, compared to Premium vehicles which average nearly $1978 for the week.
§04Fleet mix95 listings
Drivetrain
Seats
The Christchurch fleet is overwhelmingly dominated by standard internal combustion engines (75 vehicles) and five-seater layouts (76 vehicles), with electric options remaining scarce.
§05Cheapest in each categorytotal / 7 nights · per-day below
Budget-conscious roadtrippers can secure a Compact Toyota Corolla Hatch from Apex for just $712.81, or a full-size Toyota Highlander from the same supplier for $1045.45.