Terms & Conditions

ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS

By making a booking, paying a deposit, collecting a Vehicle, or commencing a rental with The Wild Rovers, the Hirer acknowledges that they have read, understood and agreed to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. These Terms and Conditions form part of the Rental Agreement and apply for the entire duration of the hire period.

RENTAL AGREEMENT

This Rental Agreement consists of these Terms and Conditions together with the Rental Document provided at the commencement of hire (“Rental Document”). The Agreement is between The Wild Rovers Pty Limited (“Owner”) and the person and/or entity named in the Rental Document (“Hirer”).

1. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION AND TERM OF HIRE

The Owner agrees to rent to the Hirer the motor vehicle described in the Rental Document (“Vehicle”) for the hire period stated in the Rental Document.

2. AUTHORISED DRIVERS

2.1 Only drivers listed in the Rental Document may operate the Vehicle.

2.2 All drivers must:

  • Be at least 25 years of age

  • Hold a current full and valid driver licence appropriate for the Vehicle

  • Provide licence verification and consent to licence recording

2.3 International drivers must hold either:

  • A valid English-language driver licence; or

  • A valid International Driving Permit (IDP) together with their applicable driver licence.

2.4 Driving by an unauthorised or unlicensed person is prohibited and may result in the Hirer becoming fully liable for any resulting loss, damage or costs.

3. PAYMENTS AND SECURITY BOND

3.1 The Hirer agrees to pay all hire charges and additional charges stated in the Rental Document.

3.2 The Hirer agrees to pay Road User Charges (RUCs) of NZD $0.09 per kilometre travelled ($9.00 per 100km). RUCs will be calculated based on kilometres travelled and charged at the end of the hire period.

DAMAGE PROTECTION OPTIONS

3.3 The Hirer must select one of the following Damage Protection Options when booking:

RISK TAKER — NZD $10 per day

  • Accident damage excess: NZD $3,000 per incident

  • Security deposit/bond: NZD $3,000

  • 24/7 breakdown assistance included

HAPPY CAMPER — NZD $25 per day

  • Accident damage excess: NZD $1,000 per incident

  • Security deposit/bond: NZD $1,000

  • 24/7 breakdown assistance included

  • Accidental windscreen and window glass protection included

  • Accidental tyre damage protection included

The selected Damage Protection Option and applicable charges will be recorded in the Rental Document.

3.4 The Damage Protection fee is a contractual damage-liability arrangement between the Owner and Hirer. It is not a separate insurance policy issued to the Hirer.

Payment of a Damage Protection fee does not remove the Hirer’s responsibilities under this Agreement.

3.5 The applicable security bond must be provided prior to release of the Vehicle.

3.6 The Hirer authorises the Owner to charge the payment method on file for amounts properly payable under this Agreement, including:

  • Road User Charges (RUCs)

  • Applicable accident damage excess

  • Damage or loss for which the Hirer is liable

  • Cleaning and refuelling charges

  • Late-return charges

  • Towing or recovery costs

  • Traffic fines, tolls and associated administration charges

  • Lost or damaged equipment

  • Lost or damaged keys

  • Loss-of-use costs where applicable under this Agreement

  • Losses resulting from breach of this Agreement

  • Other amounts properly payable by the Hirer under this Agreement

3.7 Where an amount properly payable under this Agreement exceeds the security bond, the Hirer remains responsible for the outstanding amount.

DAMAGE PROTECTION EXCLUSIONS

3.8 The applicable Accident Damage Excess does not limit the Hirer’s liability where loss, damage or costs arise from:

  • A breach of this Rental Agreement

  • Reckless, deliberate or negligent use of the Vehicle

  • Driving by an unauthorised or unlicensed person

  • Driving on prohibited roads or in prohibited areas

  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs

  • Failure to stop driving following a warning light, overheating or mechanical fault

  • Incorrect fuel or other misuse

  • Theft or non-return of the Vehicle by the Hirer

  • Loss or damage to keys

  • Loss or damage to camping equipment or accessories, except where expressly included

  • Any other loss expressly excluded from the selected Damage Protection Option or this Agreement

In these circumstances, the Hirer’s liability may exceed the stated Accident Damage Excess and security bond.

4. LOSS OF USE (DOWNTIME)

Where the Vehicle is unavailable for rental as a direct result of damage caused by the Hirer’s misuse, negligence, prohibited use or breach of this Agreement, the Owner may recover reasonable loss-of-use costs resulting from the Vehicle being unavailable for hire.

Loss-of-use costs arising from a breach of this Agreement are not included within the Accident Damage Excess or Damage Protection Option.

5. LOST OR DAMAGED KEYS

The Hirer is responsible for the safekeeping of all Vehicle keys supplied during the rental period.

If any key is lost, stolen, damaged or requires replacement due to the actions or negligence of the Hirer, a replacement charge of NZD $600 per key will apply.

This fee covers the cost of supplying and programming a replacement ignition and/or remote key.

Any additional costs reasonably incurred as a result of lost or damaged keys, including locksmith services, Vehicle recovery or transportation, are payable by the Hirer.

6. USE OF THE VEHICLE

The Hirer must NOT:

  • Drive off-road, on beaches, through rivers, on farm tracks or on 4WD tracks

  • Drive on prohibited roads, including Skippers Canyon, Nevis Road or unformed roads

  • Tow another vehicle or trailer unless expressly authorised by the Owner

  • Race, speed-test or operate the Vehicle recklessly

  • Drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs

  • Smoke or vape inside the Vehicle

  • Allow an unauthorised driver to operate the Vehicle

Gravel Roads

Driving on maintained public gravel roads is permitted only with prior written approval from the Owner.

The Hirer may be liable for damage resulting from unapproved road use.

7. THEFT/NON-RETURN

The Vehicle remains the property of the Owner at all times.

Failure to return the Vehicle as agreed may be treated as theft or unlawful conversion.

Where permitted by law, the Hirer may be liable for:

  • The replacement value of the Vehicle

  • Recovery and transportation costs

  • Reasonable loss-of-use costs

  • Other associated losses and expenses

GPS tracking may be installed in the Vehicle. The Hirer acknowledges and consents to its use for Vehicle safety, compliance, location and recovery purposes in accordance with applicable privacy law.

8. VEHICLE CONDITION AND REPORTING

8.1 The condition of the Vehicle will be recorded before and after hire.

8.2 The Hirer must immediately notify the Owner of any:

  • Accident

  • Vehicle damage

  • Mechanical fault

  • Warning light

  • Theft or attempted theft

  • Other incident affecting the Vehicle

8.3 The Hirer must take reasonable steps to prevent further damage following an incident.

Failure to promptly report an incident or continuing to drive where doing so may cause further damage may result in additional liability.

9. MECHANICAL RESPONSIBILITY

The Hirer must:

  • Use the correct fuel

  • Monitor warning lights and engine temperature

  • Stop driving where a warning or fault indicates that continuing may damage the Vehicle

  • Contact the Owner or roadside assistance where appropriate

The Hirer may be liable for damage caused by misuse or failure to take reasonable care, including:

  • Overheating caused or worsened by continuing to drive

  • Clutch or drivetrain abuse

  • Incorrect fuel

  • Ignoring warning lights

  • Driving outside permitted conditions

10. TRAFFIC OFFENCES

The Hirer is responsible for all traffic infringements, parking fines, tolls and other penalties incurred during the rental period.

The Hirer authorises the Owner to charge reasonable administration costs associated with processing or transferring such infringements where applicable.

11. RETURN OF VEHICLE

The Vehicle must be returned:

  • At the agreed date, time and location

  • In a reasonably clean and tidy condition

  • With the agreed fuel level

  • With all supplied equipment, accessories and keys

Late return or failure to return the Vehicle may result in additional charges and, where appropriate, police notification.

12. DAMAGE PROTECTION & HIRER LIABILITY

The Owner maintains insurance in relation to its Vehicles. The Damage Protection Options offered under this Agreement determine the Hirer’s contractual liability to the Owner for eligible accidental damage, subject to these Terms and Conditions.

The Accident Damage Excess applies per incident.

The Accident Damage Excess does not necessarily limit the Hirer’s liability for loss or damage resulting from misuse, negligence, prohibited use, unauthorised driving or another breach of this Agreement.

The Hirer may be liable for the full amount of losses or costs arising from a breach of this Agreement, including losses that are not recoverable under the Owner’s insurance.

Theft or non-return of the Vehicle by the Hirer is not protected by the Damage Protection Options.

13. OWNER OBLIGATIONS

The Owner will provide the Vehicle in a safe and roadworthy condition and maintain it in accordance with applicable New Zealand requirements.

14. EXCESSIVE CLEANING

The Vehicle must be returned in a reasonably clean and tidy condition.

Additional cleaning charges may apply where excessive cleaning is reasonably required due to mud, sand, stains, spills, smoking or vaping residue, pet hair or other abnormal soiling.

15. ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT

The Hirer is responsible for taking reasonable care of all equipment and accessories supplied with the Vehicle, including but not limited to:

  • Rooftop tent

  • Awning

  • Camping equipment

  • Cooking equipment

  • Bedding

  • Chairs

  • Tables

  • Bike or SUP equipment

  • Other accessories supplied with the rental

Loss or damage for which the Hirer is responsible may be charged at the reasonable repair or replacement cost.

Unless expressly stated otherwise in the selected Damage Protection Option, damage to or loss of additional equipment is not included within the Accident Damage Excess.

16. TERMINATION

The Owner may terminate the rental and recover the Vehicle where the Hirer materially breaches this Agreement or where continued use of the Vehicle creates an unreasonable risk to the Vehicle, the Hirer or others.

17. CHARGE AUTHORITY

The Hirer authorises the Owner to charge the payment method on file for amounts properly payable under this Agreement.

Where relevant, photographs, Vehicle condition reports, GPS records, repair invoices, quotations and other reasonable evidence may be used to establish loss or damage.

18. LIABILITY AND INDEMNITY

To the extent permitted by New Zealand law, the Hirer is responsible for loss, damage, claims and liabilities arising from the Hirer’s use or misuse of the Vehicle or breach of this Agreement.

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes or limits any rights or remedies that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.

19. PRIVACY

The Hirer consents to the collection, storage and use of personal information reasonably necessary for:

  • Administering the rental

  • Processing payments

  • Vehicle safety and recovery

  • Managing accidents, damage and claims

  • Compliance and enforcement

  • Meeting legal and regulatory obligations

Personal information will be handled in accordance with applicable New Zealand privacy law.

20. GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement is governed by the laws of New Zealand.

21. NOTE TO HIRER

The Owner will provide the Hirer with a copy of the Rental Agreement. The Rental Agreement must be kept in the Vehicle throughout the term of hire and produced on demand to an enforcement officer where required by law.