On Sunday we dropped off "Feisty", our Mazda Familia near the ferry depot after 4 days and 820km of driving on the North Island. We called it that because it had some real transmission difficulties, rattling considerably when waiting at stop lights. It is ridiculously expensive to transport a car across the Cook Strait to the South Island.
The BlueBridge ferry was a huge, relatively unsightly vehicle from the outside, but it was nice enough on the inside. We were able to catch a nap on short couches, read the newspaper, watch 'Finding Nemo', and see the scenery in the 
3.5 hour trip to the South Island. The ports are not right on the outside shorelines, so you get to travel through some beautiful, green straits on the way out and in.
3.5 hour trip to the South Island. The ports are not right on the outside shorelines, so you get to travel through some beautiful, green straits on the way out and in. Then we picked up another rental car from the same company on the other side. It's called "Patch" because it's missing a hubcap on the front. This car rental is funny, to say the least. The rental agreements have diagrams of the car (just like in the US) which shows the previous damage to the vehicle. They all have 220,000km+ on them and have been very beat up by the backpackers over time. We joke that they should save time and say "beat to hell" instead of "scratches all over, including ..." We have 
purchased additional insurance, however, for $US7 a day. The basic rental rate includes insurance, except for a $NZ1500 exception if in an accident or sustaining other damage to the vehicle. No matter whose fault an accident is, the rental company will charge the money to your credit card and it is your responsibility to get it back afterwards, which obviously would be difficult when in another country. So we bought the additional insurance, which makes the exception $NZ200. It saves us peace of mind. Kiwis use 'grit' or small pebbles, not sand, in the mountains for traction, and you hear the constant ping of rock against body panels and the windshield constantly. And crazy steriod-laden mountain parrots try to steal rubber off your car when you aren't paying close attention (see the picture left). Plus we can drive through the rental agency's garage door cheaply if they close early on us.
purchased additional insurance, however, for $US7 a day. The basic rental rate includes insurance, except for a $NZ1500 exception if in an accident or sustaining other damage to the vehicle. No matter whose fault an accident is, the rental company will charge the money to your credit card and it is your responsibility to get it back afterwards, which obviously would be difficult when in another country. So we bought the additional insurance, which makes the exception $NZ200. It saves us peace of mind. Kiwis use 'grit' or small pebbles, not sand, in the mountains for traction, and you hear the constant ping of rock against body panels and the windshield constantly. And crazy steriod-laden mountain parrots try to steal rubber off your car when you aren't paying close attention (see the picture left). Plus we can drive through the rental agency's garage door cheaply if they close early on us. 
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