Middle Earth Cars NZ information

Operated by one of Australasia's most popular car companies with one branch in Auckland and one branch in Christchurch, both of which are located close to the airport. They are a family-owned business specialising in the rental of quality leisure vehicles throughout Australia and New Zealand.

We began operating in 1985 and have grown to become one of the largest and leading recreational vehicle operators in Australia. The New Zealand operation opened in March 2003, with new vehicles and branches in Auckland and Christchurch.

Their Auckland car rental branch is conveniently located 5 kilometres from Auckland's Airport and 14 kilometres from the city centre.

Middle Earth Cars NZ Rental Terms

This document contains a brief summary of our rental conditions. The full details of our rental contract do apply. Rates quoted are in New Zealand dollars.

Rental Charges
Daily rates are calculated on a 24-hour period.
When a rental moves from one rate season into the next, the calculation is based on both rates.

Rental Duration
The minimum rental for all vehicles is five days aside from one way rentals which are seven days.

Unlimited Kilometres
Rates include unlimited kilometres. A one way rental has a minimum rental period of at least seven days.

Inclusive Rate
Add NZ$15  per day to the daily rate.

The maximum amount payable per rental segment for an Inclusive Rate is $750 – i.e. 50 days rental.

The Inclusive Rate includes: Liability Reduction Option, Unlimited Kilometres, One Way Rental Fee, Diesel Tax Recovery Fee, 12.5% GST, Complimentary Airport Transfers, Pre-Hire Cleaning Fees, Vehicle Consultation Fee, 24hr Roadside Assistance, Extra Driver Fees, Maps and Camp Ground Guides, Snow Chains (on request) and baby or booster Seats (on request).

Branches
The Supplier has branches in Auckland and Christchurch. Branches are open seven days a week, 8am to 4:30pm. Branches will be closed Christmas Day, New Years Day and Good Friday.

Transfer
Vehicles must be collected and returned to our branches (not airports). Transfers to and from the Supplier depot are provided free of charge.

Taxes
Our rates include GST of 12.5%.

Credit Cards
Our Preferred payment method is by credit card. Visa and MasterCard will incur an additional 2% surcharge on any transaction. Diners and American Express fees are 4.5%.
Please note the initial deposit can only be paid by Visa or Mastercard.

Driver's License and Minimum Age
A current and full motor vehicle driver’s licence is required. If the driver’s licence is not in the English language then an international driver’s licence is also recommended. An accredited English translation will be accepted in lieu of an international driving permit. The driver’s licence must have been held for at least two years and be valid for the whole length of the rental. The original driver’s licence must be shown at time of pick-up when the driver is present.

Drivers must be 21 years of age or over. For drivers 75 years of age or over, a current medical certificate stating that the customer is fit to drive for the duration of the hire is required upon vehicle collection.

Maps and Campground Guides
Each vehicle is supplied with a complimentary Road Atlas and campground guides.

Vehicle Consultation
On pick up of the vehicle our staff will provide a complimentary vehicle consultation. This includes an explanation of all the interior and exterior features of the vehicle, as well as driving tips.

Policy on Child Restraints

Baby Seats
Baby Seats are required for young children as follows:
- 9 to 18 kg weight; or
- 6 months to 4 years of age (on average); or
- above 70cm in length.

Booster Seats
Booster Seats are required for young children as follows:
- 14 to 26 kg weight; or
- 4 to 7 years of age (on average).
All Child Restraints are front facing and are to be fitted in the rear of vehicles.
The above details are our minimum requirements.
The above details are subject to the manufacturer’s guidelines for each individual device.
While all reasonable care has been taken has been taken in preparing this document, we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the document. Nor do we endorse or accept any responsibility for any views, advice, recommendations or opinions expressed in the document or referred websites. The content should only be used for your general information and use and not by way of specific recommendation or advice as every individual's circumstances are different. You should seek your own independent legal advice before taking any action based in whole or in part on the document or referred websites.
The Supplier shall not be liable for any claims, losses, injuries, penalties, damages, costs or expenses arising from the use of this document or referred websites.

 NZ CAR

Vehicle	No Baby or Booster Seats  Allowed	1 Baby Seat	1 Booster Seat	2 Baby Seats	2 Booster Seats	1 Baby Seat and 1 Booster Seat
Economy Car		√	√	√	√	√
Compact Car		√	√	√	√	√
Medium Car		√	√	√	√	√
4wd Wagon		√	√	√	√	√

Options per table column are not combinable.Camping Kits
One Camping Kit per Car suitable for two people (including a 3 person tent, built-in ground sheet, sleeping bags with personal liners, sleeping mats, pillows, ice box, crockery & cutlery, pots & pans, gas cooker, salt & pepper, containers, tea towels, personal towels, torch, Welcome Pack, maps and camping ground directories) can be supplied on request for the compact, medium and 4wd Wagon groups.

Snow Chains
$50 per rental (must be pre-booked)

One Way Rentals
There is no fee for one way rentals.

Multiple Rentals
Consecutive rentals can be combined to qualify for a long-term discount rate. Rentals in the United States of America, Australia and New Zealand can be combined to obtain a long-term discount rate, providing travel is within a 3 month period. If drop off of a vehicle and pick up of a new vehicle occurs on the same day then a day each will be charged per respective vehicle. Multiple rentals are treated as separate rentals under the one way fee and minimum rental period conditions.

Travel Restrictions
Two Wheel Drive Vehicles can only be driven on sealed/bitumen roads. The only exception to this is the loose road surface on any major ski field access roads or any recognised campground access road less than 500 metres in length.
Four Wheel Drive vehicles may be driven on unsealed roads on the condition that the roads have been Gazetted.
No vehicle shall be driven on Skippers Road (Queenstown), Ninety Mile Beach (Northland), Ball Hut Road (Mt. Cook), Bluff Road that runs between Kuatunu and Mataurangi and North of Colville Township (Coromandel Peninsula).

Rental Extension
If the customer wishes to extend the rental whilst on hire, they must first obtain authorisation from our Reservations who will advise of the additional costs. Rental extension is subject to fleet availability. The extra cost (Gross Rate) of an extended rental must be paid by credit card over the telephone or at one of our Branches immediately on confirmation of the rental extension.
Failure to obtain authorisation will result in the renter being charged double the daily gross rental rate.

Repairs
Although we run late model vehicles, it may happen that small repairs are required. Repairs up to $100 may be affected without authorisation and will be reimbursed unless the damage is caused by the renter. For amounts over $100, we will need to be informed in advance. All vehicles are enrolled in the New Zealand Automobile Association and 24hr emergency roadside assistance is available.

Change of Vehicle
We reserve the right to substitute a comparable vehicle or superior vehicle at no extra cost. This shall not constitute a breach of contract and does not entitle the renter to any refund.

Infringements and Administration Fees
The supplier reserves the right to charge the renter for any speeding, toll way or parking fines not reported on return of the vehicle. In addition to these costs, the supplier reserves the right to charge for associated administration costs for processing the fines (irrespective of excess). An administration fee of $75 will be applicable.

Vehicle Category
Vehicles cannot be requested by make or model, only by vehicle category.

Voluntary Downgrade
Should the renter decide to take a lesser vehicle than booked within 14 days of pick up or during the rental then they will not be entitled to any refund.

Limit of Liability
In the event of no alternative vehicle being available to the renter our liability is limited to a refund of the hire charge or in the case of mechanical failure (unless caused by the renter) the remainder of the hire period.

Booking amendments
A $35 fee will apply to amend a standard or flex booking. If a change to a flex booking is made then the booking will be calculated by using either the original flex rate or the flex rate that is valid at the time of the booking change, depending on whichever rate is higher. There are no exceptions to this rule. The following situations are classified as booking alterations: Change of date for vehicle pick-up or drop-off, Change of location (depot) for vehicle pick-up or drop-off, Change of vehicle category, Customer name change. If you decide to extend your rental duration (changing the drop-off date) by 2 days the same flex rate is used that applied on the day when you made your original booking. If you extend by 3 days or more, the booking change rule applies as outlined above. If an amendment is made to the rental dates within 14 days of collection, no refund will be made if the length of hire is shortened (that is; the rental will be charged at the number of days originally booked). A relocation fee may apply if the collection or return location is amended within 14 days of vehicle pick up or if notification occurs during the hire. The Supplier will not accept any cancellations of Standard Rate Bookings that are then re-booked using Flex Rates and vice versa.

Important
We reserve the right to refuse any rental at our discretion.

Animals
No animals are permitted in our vehicles, excluding guide dogs.

Smoking
Smoking is not allowed in our vehicles.

Cancellation Policy
The initial deposit paid is non-refundable. In addition to forfeiting your deposit, the following charges also apply:
Cancellation less than 10 days prior to pick-up date - 50% of Gross Rental
Cancellation within 3 days of pick-up date, or no-show - 100% of Gross Rental
There is no refund for late pick up or early return of vehicle.

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend that renters ensure they take out the highest level of Travel Insurance.

Personal Injury
The Vehicle has third party insurance cover. It is likely that any other vehicle involved in an accident also has third party insurance cover. Personal Injury in New Zealand is covered by the Accident Compensation Commission. The Supplier strongly recommends that all passengers take out their own Personal Injury Travel Insurance. If the renter is responsible for the accident the Vehicle's third party insurance should cover the renter for the liability except where you have committed a breach of the Vehicle's third party insurance eg drink driving.

Property Damage
The Vehicle is insured for damage to it or damage to the property of a third party. However the renter is responsible up to the amount of the applicable Liability for the cost of such damage to third party property, or to the rented Vehicle. The renter is also responsible for the cost of demurrage for the period the Vehicle is unavailable due to repairs. The Liability applies in respect of each claim, not per rental. In addition to the Liability an administration fee of $75 will be charged per claim.

The Liability is applicable regardless of who is at fault and must be paid at the time the accident is reported to the supplier, not at the completion of the rental Period. The Supplier reserves the right to charge the renter for any vehicle damage including Third Party property damage not reported on return of the vehicle.

Standard Liability
The Supplier's rental charge includes a Standard Liability of $2,000. With this Option a Bond of $2,000 will be collected. The Standard Liability can be reduced by taking the following reduction option:

Liability Reduction Option
A Liability of $250 applies. The Liability Reduction Option can be purchased by paying $18 per day. The maximum amount payable for this Option is $720 (i.e. 40 days rental).

A Bond of $250 will be collected at the time of entering into the Rental Contract. This Bond is payable by an open signed credit card imprint with an authorisation obtained (sufficient funds must be available) for $250.

Bond
For security purposes, only a credit card can be used to provide a Bond. The credit card holder must be present and able to sign for the Bond upon vehicle collection. The credit card holder is jointly and severally liable for any damage to the rental vehicle.
The Bond is fully refundable when the vehicle is returned to the correct location on time, is full of fuel and all other terms of the Rental Contract have been complied with. If there is damage to the vehicle on its return, the Bond will be used to cover the cost of such damage up to the amount of the relevant Liability. However, if the terms of the Rental Contract are breached and the Bond is insufficient to cover the damage then any extra cost will be charged.

Your Full Responsibility
At all times the renter is responsible for:
- Damage caused where the terms of Rental Contract have been breached.
- Damage caused by negligence.
- Damage caused to the Vehicle in any way by part or total water submersion or salt water.
- Damage caused to the Vehicle by the renter’s wilful conduct.
- Damage caused to the Vehicle by the use of snow chains or roof racks.
- Damage caused due to a single vehicle roll over.
- Damage caused to the Vehicle when using the Vehicle in contravention of any legislation or regulation controlling vehicular traffic.
- Damage or loss caused to any personal belongings.
- Damage caused due to use of incorrect or contaminated fuel.
- Damage to the overhead or underbody of the Vehicle.

Rates/Terms/Conditions
Are subject to change without notice.

Terms of booking on this website

Information disclaimer
The rates on this website are often heavily discounted. This is due to our negotiated rates and bulk buying power. On very rare occasions, a rate may be displayed incorrectly due to our, or a vehicle supplier's error. In such a case, if you book with us at a quoted rate that is incorrect, we will notify you of any price change and give you the option to proceed or cancel. We make every effort to keep information on our site up to date, but we cannot guarantee this website is free of errors or omissions and retain the right to update or change the information published at any time.

Liability
To the extent permitted by law we/the owners of this website will not be liable to you or to any third party (whether in contract, tort, or otherwise) for any direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage (including but not limited to any accident, injury, delay or loss of enjoyment) arising out of your reliance upon information contained on this website, including but not limited to your use (or inability to use) any products or services described or procured through this website.

When you pick up your vehicle, you will be required to sign a rental agreement with the supplier of the vehicle. Your rental and use of the vehicle will be governed by the terms of the rental agreement and any other documentation or information provided to you by the supplier at the time you pick up your vehicle. The rental agreement is between you and the supplier and we will not be liable to you or to any third party in relation to the terms of the supplier’s rental agreement or any other documentation provided to you by the supplier at the time of pick up.

While we will make reasonable efforts to ensure we are representing only reputable suppliers, we make no warranty about the fitness or suitability of any third party (supplier) product or service and will not accept responsibility for the quality or fitness of any vehicle. We welcome feedback from our customers on their experience with our suppliers. We may, at our discretion, provide you with reasonable assistance in resolving any dispute you may have with a supplier.

Our total liability to you in relation to your use of this website and the information contained on this website will not exceed the dollar amount of the deposit we have received from you in relation to your booking/rental. Refunds will not be made for bookings cancelled due to inclement weather. Again, we strongly recommend that you take out travel insurance. Your use of this website is governed by the laws of New Zealand and the jurisdiction of the New Zealand courts.

Booking information
To make a booking you must complete our booking form which is easy to follow and secured with the latest encryption technology. Once we receive your form, we will, subject to availability, confirm your booking by emailing you a confirmation voucher and invoice. The deposit required to secure your vehicle (as shown on the secure booking page) will only be processed on your credit card when your booking is confirmed. Please note that a 1.75% credit card charge will be added when your payment is processed.

A booking is confirmed when you have been emailed a confirmation voucher and at this stage the deposit is processed on your card and becomes non-refundable and any cancellation fees stated in the supplier's terms apply. Upon receipt of your confirmation, please check your details carefully and notify us immediately if there are any incorrect details, as it may not be possible to make changes at a later date.

If you are booking via phone, please make sure you have read the terms and conditions of the vehicle you wish to rent first. Our reservations consultant will ask you if you have read the terms and agree to them before proceeding. The onus is always on the renter to ensure they make themselves fully aware of the terms displayed on our website.

Information disclosure
In booking on this website you acknowledge that we disclose your information to your selected Supplier in order to provide the requested rental services.

Amendments
Please note that some suppliers treat an amendment as a new booking and apply the rate current at the time the amendment is made to recalculate the entire booking amount (not just the days changed). If the rental period is increased, an additional deposit may be required. If the rental period is shortened which results in a reduction of the rental charges, the deposit amount will remain unchanged, and the difference between the original and revised deposit is forfeited (it cannot be used towards remaining rental charges). To request a change to a confirmed booking, please use the alterations request link on your confirmation. Any alterations are subject to availability and the approval of the supplier. In addition to the alteration policy of the supplier stated in their terms, the following charges will apply:
Car rental alterations (all charges stated in local currency):
To change dates or times that result in a recalculation of rental rates, or to change vehicles or locations: 25.00
To add or remove extras to/from a confirmed booking: 10.00
Motorhome rental alterations (all charges stated in local currency):
To change dates or times that result in a recalculation of rental rates, or to change vehicles or locations: 75.00
To add or remove extras to/from confirmed booking: 20.00
The alteration fee will not be charged if your alteration request is not possible.

Vehicle Capacity and fitness to drive
Under no circumstances are you permitted to carry more passengers than the vehicle you rent is legally registered to carry, and if you do your insurance may be invalidated. The number of seatbelts (and passengers) is indicated next to each vehicle on this website. Luggage capacity where shown is an indication only and we will not be responsible should you be unable to fit your entire luggage into a vehicle. It is your responsibility to choose a journey that is within your capabilities. A vehicle supplier can refuse to rent a vehicle to any person who is in their opinion unfit to drive or does not meet eligibility requirements. In such circumstances we will have no further liability to you.