Planning a trip to South Island this November and renting car for 3 weeks. We are planning multi-day tramps at Abel-Tasman and Milford, with stops at Arthur pass and Mt Cook if weather permits. I probably will obtain CDW insurance on rental car - its not inexpensive, particularly for 3 weeks and several days the car is just parked. Obviously don't leave anything of value in the car, but then I read about the Kea, or alpine parrots, that seem to enjoy stripping all rubber (wiper blades, molding, etc.) off the car. Are these birds in specific areas and/or elevation? I figure the rental car company will provide a list of dos and don'ts, but welcome comments from others how to avoid this problem. Also, I presume the CDW insurance will cover damage from these birds - nothing mentioned in their policy.
Speaking of rental cars, I noticed the NZ rental companies (Ace, Omega, Apex) offer older cars (pre-2000) for a cheap price. I drive a pre-2000 car, but I maintain it well and do not drive it hard. Has anyone tried renting these older cars and had good / bad experience.
I think you can still hire a Morris Oxford or a Rover 90 in some regional areas of Noo Zillan.
Last time I flew into Hokatika it was in a Dragon Rapide. http://www.airplane-pictures.net/photo/3814/zk-aky-nac-new-zealand-national-airways-corporation-de-havilland-dh-89-dragon-rapide/
I did a road trip last year on both North and South Island. The only places I encounter the Kea was at Authur Pass and Milford Sound, and they are a pain in the aXX. I guess they got use to people feeding them, he was in the process of picking off the rubber molding on the car when I close the window, and the only way I got rid off him was to drive fast out of there!!!
https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/max_the_dog98/10485239256/in/set-72157638603963783/
https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/max_the_dog98/10395516786/in/set-72157638603963783/
if you are doing the Milford Track your car will be at Te Anau or Queenstown where the keas aren't. They are at Arthurs Pass though.
not Abel Tasman, they are ALPINE parrots and don't do beaches. :-)
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