New Zealand Campervan Hire

Who We Are

Thomlinson Rentals Limted – Since 1938!

Hokianga Campervans and the Rental Car Village are brand names used by the Thomlinson Family.  Next year our business will be 70 years old!

Hokianga Campervans, by Grant Thomlinson
The Hokianga is located in the Far North of New Zealand.  It was one of the first Maori Settlements and still retains a very strong Maori culture.  We owned a farm in the Hokianga, located 5 km from a small town called Kohukohu and overlooking the Hokianga Harbour.  I attended the local primary school which had 3 classrooms and 50 students, so we all knew each other fairly well. 

The Hokianga is a great place to visit; you can take the main highway north to the Bay of Islands, and on your way back, drive down the West Coast.  Travel through our hometown of Kohukohu and across to Rawene on the local car ferry.  The ferry holds 21 vehicles and takes 15 minutes to cross the harbor.  Next, travel through the Kauri Forests on the way back to Auckland.

The name Hokianga Campervans is to promote our hometown.  It’s laid back, the locals are friendly and you can really get off the beaten track!

Our History

May, 1938 – Established in automobile industry, Auckland
Our company was originally called Britomart Service Station Limited. It was located in Downtown Auckland; it offered motor auto repairs, lubrication and had a gas stand. As a subsidiary of NZ Forest Products Ltd, the gasoline license was later used to supply millions of gallons to the pioneers of pine plantations in the North Island. Our Customs St branch is now being reconstructed into the Britomart Transport Station.

April, 1988 - Present management came of age.
While at high school, my Dad finally left us to mind the gas pumps on quiet weekends over the winter period. My brother and I wheeled our pushbikes onto the forecourt for rental by the hour and the rentals began. The concept of Thrifty Campervans, evolving since 1977, became the main part of our business, the originals being designed and built in our own workshop.

March, 1997 – Diversifying into Car Rentals
Twice having outgrown our location, we moved into specially designed premises and renamed the business Thomlinson Rentals Limited. As individuals, we advertised our Rental Cars and Campervans under different brand names via Rental Car Village - the brand was born!

March, 2003 – Christchurch Office Opened
Developing a presence in Christchurch since 1991, opening our own branch allowed us to provide one way and split hires between the North and South Island more easily.

Our Family

Keith Thomlinson
Manager of Christchurch Branch, Campervan Design and Fleet Maintenance
Keith enjoys catching fish and days on the farm. With a bike stored in London, he cycles in the UK for one month nearly every year.  This year Keith and Linda cycled in Australia.

Linda Thomlinson
Manager of Campervan Interiors, Inventory and Quality Control
Linda handmade the original awnings and mosquito nets for the campervans. She also enjoys cycling (touring the UK by bike with Keith) and likes photography.

Grant Thomlinson
Manager of Finances, Marketing and Website Design
Grant has travelled throughout Oceania, Asia, the Middle East, Siberia, Europe and North America. He married our web designer, Jui (Thai), and they now spend the low season in Thailand and high season in New Zealand.

Helen Thomlinson
Manager of Auckland Branch, Reservations and Administration
Helen has just returned from an American Road Trip. She likes playing hockey, rollerblading, and has graduated from University qualified as a

Hokianga Campervan Rental New Zealand: Located at the Rental Car Village
From overseas call + 64 9 486 0262
Within NZ free phone 0800 33 4444 or 09 376 9935.
Auckland Campervan Hire: 19 Great North Road, Auckland City, New Zealand
Christchurch Campervan Hire: 22 Waller Terrace, Christchurch City, New Zealand
Email :hire@rentalcarvillage.com