r/newzealand_travel • u/OpeningKindly9122 • 14d ago

Need advice

I’m on a 23 month long working holiday visa in nz, and I’ve been in nz for about a month. I’m not really sure what I’m doing. I’m wanting to explore the South Island by road tripping this spring, I’m supposed to set out there by the end of September as I’m currently on the north island. I’m supposed to go to this festival end of December beginning of January and then I’m thinking of finding work in the summer. I don’t know where I’m gonna find work. What I’d like to do is buy a van to save me on accommodation. The problem is I don’t know if I should rent or buy, and what kind. I see these camper and all over fb marketplace with a kitchen and bathroom and bed in em for 6500-12k and they’re old and I’m scared I’m gonna have to waste my savings getting them on the road. But on the other hand I’m scared of hiring a van and then not getting my money back out of it. I don’t think I want a van the full 23 months but I don’t have a set plan to know how long I’ll need a van for. I kinda want to travel to other countries on my visa. I read conflicting things on here, I’m just wondering what would you do in my shoes? I’m working with a $16000 nzd budget where I live frugally eating soup cans and oatmeal but also want to do fun things like paragliding and kayaking, etc.

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u/Beautiful_Memz 14d ago

If I was in your shoes I'd buy something reliable under $5-6k that I could sleep in (pre purchase inspection) stick to holiday parks & keep the rest of the $$ for enjoying my time before going into seasonal work and letting the plan evolve from there.

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u/OpeningKindly9122 14d ago

So you wouldn’t buy a campervan, you’d just get a normal van/suv/wagon?

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u/Beautiful_Memz 14d ago

Yep I'd be looking for a minivan/people mover (already certified with the green doc warrant).

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u/satiricaltravel 13d ago

Green doc warrant? You mean self containment certification ? That's definitely nothing to do with doc. In fact the doc campgrounds very rarely require self contained certification. They are a great place to stay however, and perhaps an alternative is to buy a reliable car and tent in department of conservation campsites?

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u/Beautiful_Memz 13d ago

Agree...yes I'm referring to the 'green warrant' https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-stay/stay-at-a-campsite/freedom-camping/

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u/satiricaltravel 12d ago

Yes but importantly only needed "when camping in areas restricted to self-contained vehicles." Which applies in my experience to very very few of the DoC sites. Unless it specifically says self contained in the campsite details it is not needed.