Your adventure of a lifetime is just one decision away. Let's make sure it's the right one.
You've been dreaming of waking up to a new view every morning, tracing our stunning coastlines and winding through breathtaking mountain passes. You can already feel the freedom of the open road ahead of you.
But when you start looking, the sheer number of brands, layouts and features can be overwhelming. How do you choose the right one? How do you know you're making a smart investment?
That's where we can help. With over two decades years of hands-on experience as one of New Zealand's most respected rental operators, we have a unique and unbiased perspective. We see how these vehicles perform seven days a week, 365 days a year on our unique roads. We’ve listened to the feedback from thousands of travellers and our expert technicians have maintained them for millions of kilometres. This buyers guide is a collection of that knowledge, designed to help you navigate the market with confidence.
So, how is this guide different from the information you can find for free online? While blogs and forums can be helpful, they often present a single, subjective viewpoint.
Our guide is different. It’s a complete, unbiased overview of the entire market, all in one place. We’ve done the hard yards for you, consolidating hundreds of hours of research, customer feedback, and hands-on experience into one easy-to-read resource.
Inside, we break down the pros and cons of New Zealand-made motorhomes versus popular imported motorhome brands in NZ. We don’t just list features; we explain why they matter for Kiwi travellers. We talk about what German engineering really means in practice, why British layouts are often so popular, and what to look for in an Australian-built rig designed for rugged travel. This guide will empower you with the knowledge you need to understand the best motorhome for your dream. It's the ultimate shortcut to becoming a confident, informed buyer.
For over 20 years, Wilderness Motorhomes has been at the heart of the Kiwi road trip experience. We aren't just a dealership that sells motorhomes; we are one of New Zealand's most respected rental operators. This gives us a unique, 360-degree view of the industry.
We’ve built our reputation on quality and honesty, and this guide is an extension of that promise. We’re sharing our insider knowledge to help you make a choice you’ll be happy with for years to come.
We’ve structured the guide to be incredibly user-friendly. No jargon, no fluff—just the essential information you need, presented clearly. Inside, we organise the top motorhome brands New Zealand has to offer into four key markets:
New Zealand-Made: Brands born and bred for Kiwi conditions.
German: The gold standard for innovation, design, and quality.
European: Great value with comfortable and modern interiors.
British: Champions of comfort and practical, home-like layouts.
Australian: Built tough for trans-Tasman adventures.
Local heroes like TrailLite and KEA are built with our specific roads and love for freedom camping in mind. TrailLite, for instance, is known for its high-quality craftsmanship and bespoke customisation options, making them a top choice for discerning buyers who want to create their dream layout.
This is the largest and most popular segment in NZ. Brands like Bürstner and HYMER are benchmarks for engineering and design. HYMER is the Rolls-Royce of motorhomes, representing the pinnacle of luxury motorhome brands in New Zealand. For those seeking value without compromising on German quality, Carado offers brilliantly practical and reliable motorhomes. In the iconic compact campervan segment, Volkswagen sets the benchmark for versatility and car-like handling.
For those prioritizing great value, brands like Spain's Benimar and Italy's Roller Team are leading choices, known for their generous specifications and practical layouts at a competitive price point. In the iconic compact campervan segment, Volkswagen sets the benchmark for versatility and car-like handling. For buyers seeking the pinnacle of aesthetic flair and innovative design, French and Italian manufacturers like Rapido and Laika deliver sophisticated style, with Laika often representing the height of mobile Italian design.
The Brits know a thing or two about comfort! Brands like Auto-Trail and Swift often feature plush, spacious front lounges that are perfect for socialising and relaxing after a day of exploring.
Built to withstand the rugged Aussie outback, brands like Jayco are known for their robust construction and practical layouts, making them excellent family-friendly motorhome brands.
This guide is a complete resource package designed to give you total confidence. Along with the in-depth brand profiles, you'll receive our "Must-Ask Questions" checklist to take to dealerships, which covers all the important bases. We also include links to other essential resources on topics like self-contained motorhomes in NZ, understanding payloads, and the pros and cons of different vehicle platforms.
And our support doesn't end there. Once you’ve read the guide, you’ll be armed with a ton of new knowledge. If you have questions or want to see how some of these top-tier European brands feel in person, our friendly team is here to help. No hard sells, no pressure. Just honest, expert advice to help you on the final steps of your journey.
This guide is designed to be your ultimate resource for buying a motorhome in New Zealand, so you can start your journey with confidence.
Our team lives and breathes motorhomes, so we review and update the guide every 6-12 months to ensure it reflects the latest models, trends, and brands available in the New Zealand market.
Instantly! As soon as you sign up, you’ll be taken straight to the guide. You can be reading it in the next 60 seconds.
Absolutely not. We respect your privacy. The guide is a no-strings-attached resource to help you. We'll send you a follow-up email to make sure you got it and to offer our help if you need it, but we will never bother you with unwanted calls.
Our guide consolidates everything you need into one place. Instead of piecing together biased or incomplete information from dozens of websites, you get a comprehensive, expert-curated overview that compares brands side-by-side, saving you time and preventing costly mistakes.
Motorhome prices fluctuate based on exchange rates, shipping, and specific model features. To keep the guide accurate long-term, we focus on price brackets (e.g., entry-level, mid-range, premium luxury) and explain the factors that influence cost, giving you a realistic understanding of what to budget for each brand.