Christmas all too much for you? Why not hit the road

WITH CHRISTMAS excess squeezing wallets, the idea of a summer holiday might have slipped to the bottom of the to-do list.

But a local business has the answer: five days, $5, and a one-way trip from Christchurch to Auckland.

Standbyrelocs.com works as an agent for a number of major campervan companies including Maui, Juicy and Spaceships. They currently have more than 100 motor homes in Christchurch, and about 50 in Queenstown, waiting to be driven back to Auckland.

In a bid to relocate the vehicles, the website is offering them to potential holiday-makers for just $5 a day, over five nights, plus a ferry pass for the vehicle and driver.

The vans also come with a free tank of fuel, and are fully equipped with crockery, cutlery, linen, duvets, towels and a shower and toilet. The only catch is the vans need to be in Auckland by New Year’s Eve.

It is not a new problem for the company, but it is one it is desperate to solve as soon as possible.

In the warmer seasons, the vans need to travel north to meet the bulk of the tourist trade, while in winter the heavy demand is in the colder parts of New Zealand.

The challenge, it seems, is bridging the gap – and kilometres – between the two busy times of the year.

Standbycars director William there were no tricks to the deal.

‘‘Our suppliers are now desperate to get the vans back to Auckland so they’re offering families a five-day holiday through New Zealand for $5. They also have the opportunity to purchase extra days if they wish. This is a winwin situation.’’

Brice said the deal was a great chance for Kiwi families to have a summer holiday without the price-tag usually associated with touring the country.

Anyone over 21, with a full driver’s licence can take up the offer, while drivers over 75 will need a medical certificate.

The website is offering campervans for just $5 a day – plus a ferry pass.

Brice

said