It all started back in 2005 – the beginning of the NZ Kombi Hire story – when Warren said to me, “What if we bought a Kombi van for our holidays?” He wasn’t just joking – he’d been trawling TradeMe (as usual) for classic treasures. Then, as if fate had stepped in, a navy and cream bay window Kombi with a pop top appeared for sale in Pounawea, a small coastal town in The Catlins, South Island, New Zealand.
From that moment, our Kombi journey truly began. We didn’t name her right away, but as soon as we parked her at home in Riverton, she already felt like part of the family. We admired her retro lines, daydreamed about summer roadies, and imagined winding through South Island backroads on sunshiney days with the windows down.
Our first real outing? Less glamorous!
Our first real outing? Less glamorous. We were parked on the street in Dunedin after a rugby game at Carisbrook – it was a freezing mid-winter night. Warren was fast asleep in his sleeping bag, the sliding door wide open, snoring happily. I couldn’t close it, and I couldn’t wake him either. So there I was – cold, wide awake, and wondering whether Kombi holidays were all they were cracked up to be.
Still, we weren’t quite ready to give up so soon. A few weeks later, we decided to give Aggiee another go and headed to the Catlins, where we’d first bought her. If you’ve ever been there, you’ll know why we love it – dramatic coastlines, waterfalls, and native bush that feels untouched by time. Unfortunately, that weekend the weather had other ideas. Rain poured, the van leaked, and we woke to find our bedding damp and our spirits a bit the same.
Although those early trips were far from perfect, they taught us a lot about what real adventure looks like. We learned that Kombi life isn’t about flawless plans or perfect weather – it’s all about the stories you collect along the way.
So Aggiee (still unnamed at that point) was parked in the shed and left for a few years. We even listed her on TradeMe, but no one wanted her. And honestly, I think we were both secretly relieved!
Then one day, Warren discovered something!! Underneath the navy paint, her original colours were red and white. That sparked something so he got to work – a DIY renovation, new paint job, retro fit-out, and finally, she was road-ready.
Our first true Kombi holiday was to the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island – a trip filled with sunshine (luckily – it can rain for days there!!), native bush, lakes, beaches, and DOC campsites with stunning views.
That’s when the Kombi magic hit.
We felt the buzz of driving a vintage VW van!
We felt the buzz of driving a vintage VW van – the happy feels, the constant smiles, the slow pace that makes you actually notice what’s around you. We waved back at curious travellers, talked to strangers at campgrounds, and realised we didn’t need much to feel completely content on a holiday!
Ever wondered what that feels like?
Just imagine it – cruising at Kombi pace through Central Otago, down the Southern Scenic Route, over to the West Coast, or into Fiordland. It’s not just a road trip – it’s a slower, simpler way to travel that stays with you long after you’ve unpacked the van.
And so Aggiee was named
One evening at a campsite, a fellow traveller from the UK came over, totally in love with our van. He asked what her name was. We didn’t really have one. I hesitated and said, “Well… in my head, I’ve always called her Aggiee.”
That was it. She had a name.
And so began the NZ Kombi Hire story
And from then on, Aggiee wasn’t just our van – she was part of the NZ Kombi Hire story. Since then, she’s taken us on so many adventures around the South Island, reminding us each time, exactly what kombi life has taught us. The best kind of travel isn’t about ticking off destinations – it’s about the open roads, slowing down, finding happiness in the simple things – like a retro van with a pop top.
So, if your heart’s calling for a little more adventure (and maybe a slower pace), you already know where to start. Rhonda and Pippi, our retro kombi friends, are waiting for you here in Central Otago.
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