Finding the best van hire in Invercargill comes down to how many people or how much gear you need to move, whether you want to drive yourself, and how far you are heading. This guide covers four local operators hiring 10 and 12-seater passenger vans, larger minibuses of up to 23 seats, cargo vans, furniture trucks and trailers, from Southland day trips and sports team travel to moving house. Southern Pursuit heads the list, with a 12-seater van available self-drive or with a driver.
1Southern Pursuit
Southern Pursuit is an Invercargill transfer, van hire and equipment hire service run by Brad and Dana Shaw. Its 12-seater van can be hired for the day, either self-drive or with a driver, for group travel, day trips, sightseeing, events or custom Southland plans. Hire items such as camp stoves, chilly bins and a Weber BBQ can be added to the booking, and the van can also be booked with supply stops on the way.
Services
- 12-seater van hire, self-drive or with a driver
- Private transfers to Bluff, Te Anau, Queenstown and around Southland
- Camping and outdoor gear hire added to a van booking
- Woolworths grocery pre-order pick-up and supply stops
- Stewart Island ferry and charter connections
Highlights
- Run by locals Brad and Dana Shaw
- Van hire booked through a dedicated online hire form
- Bookings confirmed within 24 hours
- Bond on hire gear refunded when it comes back in good order
Location & Contact
Name: Southern Pursuit
Address: Invercargill
Hours: Open 24 hours, bookings online
Website: southernpursuit.co.nz
2Riverside Rentals
Riverside Rentals is a family owned Invercargill rental company on Dee Street, established in 1990 by Colin Dawson with two vans for hire and now run by Bradley Dawson. Its fleet of more than 65 vehicles includes vans seating 10 or 12, minibuses, cargo vans and furniture trucks, as well as cars, utes and luggage trailers. Airport pick-up and drop-off can be arranged, and long-term hire rates are negotiable.
Services
- 10 and 12-seater van and minibus hire
- Cargo van and furniture truck hire
- Car hire, including eight-seat Previas
- Two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive ute hire
- Luggage trailer hire
Highlights
- Southland owned and operated since 1990
- No charge for additional drivers
- Airport pick-up and drop-off by arrangement
- Automatic and manual vehicles available
- Insurance included in the daily hire rate
Location & Contact
Name: Riverside Rentals
Address: 271 Dee Street, Invercargill 9810
Phone: 03 214 1030
Website: riversiderentals.co.nz
3Pro Storage Mini Bus Hire
Pro Storage Mini Bus Hire, run by Pro Storage Invercargill on Ettrick Street in West Invercargill, specialises in minibus and small group vehicle rentals. The fleet runs from 12-seater minibuses and 12 and 13-seater Toyota HiAce vans to a 17-seater Ford Transit and minibuses with 20 or 23 seats, plus a 10 cubic metre rental truck and trailers. Vehicles come with a full tank and AA roadside assistance.
Services
- 12-seater minibus hire
- 12 and 13-seater Toyota HiAce van hire
- 17-seater Ford Transit van hire
- 20 and 23-seater minibus hire
- 10 cubic metre rental truck and trailer hire
Highlights
- AA roadside assistance included
- Online hire form for bookings
- Open Monday to Friday plus Saturday mornings
- Vehicles supplied with a full tank
Location & Contact
Name: Pro Storage Mini Bus Hire
Address: 42 Ettrick Street, West Invercargill, Invercargill 9810
Phone: 03 214 0920
Website: prostorageminibushire.co.nz
4Event Bus Charters and Tours
Event Bus Charters and Tours runs minibus rental and coach charter around Invercargill and the wider Southland region, and is now part of the Rambler Coachlines family. Groups of around 8 to 15 can hire a self-drive minibus for sports trips, wedding parties, conferences or a weekend away, or book a coach with an experienced driver instead. Self-drive hirers must be 25 or older with a full licence held for two years.
Services
- Self-drive minibus rental
- Coach charter with a driver
- Transport for sports teams and wedding groups
- Conference and business group travel
- Group road trips around Southland
Highlights
- Around twenty years of running services in Invercargill and Southland
- Holds Transport Service Licences
- Minibuses serviced after every rental and kept to NZTA standards
- Comprehensive insurance and roadside help included with minibus rental
Location & Contact
Name: Event Bus Charters and Tours
Address: 128 Otepuni Avenue, Invercargill 9810
Phone: 0800 233 662
Website: ramblercoachlines.nz
Van Hire in Invercargill at a Glance
| Business | Highlight |
|---|---|
| Southern Pursuit | Run by locals Brad and Dana Shaw |
| Riverside Rentals | Southland owned and operated since 1990 |
| Pro Storage Mini Bus Hire | AA roadside assistance included |
| Event Bus Charters and Tours | Around twenty years of running services in Invercargill and Southland |
How to Choose the Right Van Hire in Invercargill
- Count passengers and gear first: a 10 or 12-seater suits many groups, while larger teams may need a 17 to 23-seat minibus.
- Check the licence and age rules before you book, as many van and minibus hirers set a minimum driver age of 21 or 25.
- Decide whether you want to drive yourself or hire the van with a driver, which suits long days, events and groups who want to relax.
- Ask what the insurance excess is, whether it can be reduced, and whether roadside assistance is included.
- Confirm fuel, cleaning and return rules, and whether the van can be collected from or returned to Invercargill Airport.
Frequently Asked Questions About Van Hire in Invercargill
Can I drive a 12-seater van on a car licence?
Often, yes. A full class 1 car licence covers vehicles with a gross laden weight of 6,000kg or less, which covers many 10 and 12-seater vans. Learner and restricted licences have lower limits. NZ Transport Agency’s guide to driver licence classes sets out what each class covers, and the hire company can confirm the weight of a particular van.
How old do you need to be to hire a van in Invercargill?
Age rules vary between companies. Some hire vans to drivers from 21, while others require drivers to be 25 or older, especially for larger minibuses. Check the rule for every driver before you book.
Can I hire a van with a driver?
Yes. Some Invercargill operators offer vans or coaches with a driver for events, day trips and transfers. A business carrying passengers for hire in a vehicle with 12 seats or fewer, including the driver, needs a small passenger service licence. NZ Transport Agency information on small passenger services explains what the licence covers.
Can I take a hire van one way out of Invercargill?
Some local operators only hire within Invercargill and need vehicles returned there, so one-way trips to Queenstown or Dunedin are not always possible. Ask when you book.
Do I need to book a van in advance?
Book as early as you can for school holidays, summer weekends, sports tournaments and the main hunting season, when larger vans and minibuses are in demand.
What does van hire usually include?
Insurance with a standard excess is normally included in the daily rate, and some companies include roadside assistance. Vans usually go out with a full tank and need to come back full and clean. Check the excess, bond and any cleaning fees before you collect the keys.
How We Chose the Best Van Hire in Invercargill
Every business in this guide was found by searching for van hire in Invercargill, then checked against what the business publishes itself: its own website, or where it has none, its official social or booking page. Names, addresses and phone numbers come from those pages rather than a directory feed, so what you see here is what the business says about itself. We also check that each one is still trading and is actually based in or genuinely serving Invercargill, rather than a national operator running a local landing page. A business we can’t confirm from its own pages is not listed.