Epic Campers

Epic Campers is one of New Zealand's most highly regarded independent campervan hire companies — and its Britz or Maui it is not. Founded in 2015 by Andy and Cindy, a couple who swapped London for Auckland and turned a carport side hustle into a full-time passion, Epic has carved out a loyal following by doing everything bigger operators won't: designing their own vans, building and fitting them out in-house, and staying personally invested in every hire through WhatsApp support during the trip.

The fleet is deliberately small and focused: three campervans, all 2-person, all self-contained to New Zealand's demanding 2025 certification standards. The Original is the founder's first van — a trusty Mazda Bongo (2011 or newer) with a 2018–20 fitout, ideal for budget travellers who just need the essentials. The Duo is the newest addition, a Nissan NV200 (2021 or newer) with a 2025 fitout that punches well above its compact size with blackout curtains, CarPlay, a solar roof fan, mains power inverter, and a clever swing-away dining table. The Plus is the flagship, a Nissan NV350 (2018 or newer) with the largest bed in the fleet (2.1m x 1.4m), indoor cooking, 150W solar, rear parking sensors, and enough storage for a multi-week adventure.

Epic's two depot locations cover the most common traveller entry points: Auckland (52 Ascot Road, Māngere — 7 minutes from the airport) and Christchurch (186B Ohoka Road, Kaiapoi — 15 minutes from the airport). One-way hires between the islands are supported via Bluebridge ferry, with a 10% discount code provided after booking. Toll road charges are included. For travellers considering a pickup from the South Island, the Christchurch depot gives easy access to begin or end a Auckland campervan hire circuit via ferry.

What distinguishes Epic in a crowded Christchurch campervan hire market — and across New Zealand's larger rental landscape — is the service model. This is a team of eight who do everything themselves: building the vans, handling bookings, cleaning, maintenance, and on-road support. The result is a consistency of quality that larger fleet operators with centralised depots and outsourced maintenance rarely achieve. The 5.0-star Google rating from 300+ reviews as of 2026 is unusually high for any company, let alone one competing against JUCY and the THL brands. Reviewers consistently cite the personal WhatsApp support, the thoughtful design of the interiors ("like a well-designed tiny home"), and the stress-free pickup walkthrough experience.

There are genuine limitations. The fleet is small, so availability fills quickly in peak season (December–February) — Epic themselves recommend booking early, especially for the Duo. The Original is well-worn and best suited to travellers who prioritise price over modernity. And if you need more than two people in the vehicle, or want an integrated shower, you'll need to look at a larger operator like Wilderness Motorhomes. But for couples or two friends wanting a self-contained 2-person camper with exceptional personal service, Epic is one of the best options in New Zealand.