
Discover The Versatility Of Cargo Vans For Everyday Use
Cargo vans are often associated with business deliveries, but their versatility makes them ideal for a much wider range of practical, everyday uses. Auckland Vehicle Rentals recently released a helpful guide showcasing various van uses to help customers get the most value from their rental.
These vans are great for more than just trade jobs or moving house. They're also perfect for picking up large purchases, handling community event equipment, shifting seasonal stock, or even transporting bulky furniture after a renovation.
The guide outlines how cargo vans can simplify a weekend project or help support a side hustle without the commitment of purchasing a commercial vehicle. With spacious interiors, efficient fuel consumption, and easy driveability, a van rental can meet the needs of both businesses and everyday Kiwis.
Auckland Vehicle Rentals offers flexible rental periods and clean, well-maintained vans that are ready for action—whether it's a one-off delivery or a multi-day event setup. Customers only need a standard driver's licence, and up to 100km of free travel is included with each booking.
Those considering a cargo van for work or a one-time job can refer to this new guide for creative and practical inspiration.

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NZ Herald
41 minutes ago
- NZ Herald
Revealed: The night driving ‘red flag'
Why 1 in 2 midlife Kiwis are struggling with driving at night. Concern that a common but little-understood eye condition could be impacting safety on the roads when driving at night has been backed up by a senior New Zealand optometrist. Ian Russell, optometry director at Specsavers in Wanganui, says the condition – known as presbyopia – typically affects people aged around 40 onward and makes it difficult to focus on near objects. 'Presbyopia affects everyone as they age, although not many people have heard about it despite it being so common,' he says. 'It can make it hard to see things up close like a phone screen, laptop or book, meaning people have to hold them at arm's length to see clearly. The condition can also compromise more than reading comfort – it can directly affect safety on the road, especially at night. 'Trouble seeing the dashboard and difficulty switching focus from near to distant viewing are red flags people shouldn't ignore,' Russell says. 'It could make all the difference not just to your driving confidence, but to the safety of everyone on the road.' Russell says a nationwide survey conducted in May by YouGov on behalf of Specsavers NZ highlighted the extent of the problem for motorists. It found that nearly half (47%) of mid-life New Zealanders aged 35 to 50 feel less confident driving at night than they did in their 20s and 30s because of vision issues. 'Alarmingly, more than a third – 38% – reported erratic driving behaviour during night-time trips, such as sudden braking, unsanctioned u-turns and confusing indicating. And 11% admitted to being involved in a car accident, while 14% had a near-miss, because of vision problems,' he says. 'Interestingly, the overwhelming majority of respondents, 85%, were unaware that presbyopia is a likely cause. Many people chalk up changes in their vision to simply getting older and they don't realise the effect a condition like presbyopia can have.' Almost half (47%) of those surveyed haven't had an eye test in over three years – or ever – and Russell says it is critical for Kiwis to get their eyes checked, especially now that the darker winter months are here. 'Pretty much 100% of people will develop presbyopia as they age. It is a consequence of ageing and only gets worse the older people get,' Russell says. As a result, he says optometrists recommend getting an eye test at least every two years from the age of 18 or sooner if any changes in vision are noticed. 'Vision changes around mid-life are common and an eye test is the easiest and most effective way to detect presbyopia – or other eye conditions – and get the right treatment with appropriate visual aids such as new glasses, bi-focals and contact lenses.' He says too many people self-diagnose, go out and buy a cheap pair of reading glasses rather than book a professional test – a strategy he believes is fraught with risk. Struggling to read menus, phone screens or books up close is among the first signs of presbyopia. Noticing this – or any deterioration in vision – is a sign to seek professional advice right away. 'At Specsavers we conduct OCT (optical coherent tomography) for all patients using hospital grade technology that allows us to detect eye conditions earlier. This involves a 3D scan of the back of the eye giving us a high level of detail about what is going on. 'An eye health check is more than a simple vision check to determine whether you may need glasses; it is an important health check that can identify underlying eye conditions or sometimes more general health conditions.' Russell says the nationwide survey was conducted online for Specsavers New Zealand by international internet-based market research and data analytics firm YouGov between May 8-13. It comprised a nationally representative sample of over 500 New Zealanders aged 35 to 50. Among other findings, the research showed that in response to vision challenges while driving at night, many drivers have developed unconscious habits such as leaning forward to 'see better' (44%), squinting at street signs (32%) or slowing down to see them better (40%). Other coping strategies revealed by the survey that Kiwis use to get by with declining close-up vision include resizing screen text (38%), using a phone torch to see more clearly (36%), holding reading material at arm's length (34%), asking someone to read small print (24%) and borrowing someone else's glasses to read or see better (13%). Russell says these short-term workarounds and tactics serve only to mask the issue and while they might seem harmless, they delay proper diagnosis and treatment.

1News
an hour ago
- 1News
PM wants NZ to get behind development, stem tide of Kiwis leaving for Oz
National leader Christopher Luxon has told his party's annual conference that the country needs to "say yes" more. Addressing about 550 delegates, MPs and supporters at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand in Christchurch yesterday, Luxon bemoaned "activists" who opposed housing developments, agriculture, cruise ships and mines. "If we're serious about keeping Kiwis at home, creating jobs and increasing wages for all New Zealanders, we can't afford to keep saying no to every opportunity that comes our way." Opposition parties have heavily criticised the Government for its economic policies and laid the blame at its feet for the 30,000 New Zealanders who moved to Australia last year, but Luxon said the opposition would make it worse. "Take a look at Australia," he said. "If they shut down their mining industry or their energy industry tomorrow, as Labour and the Greens want to do here, I guarantee you would see fewer Kiwis moving across the ditch." ADVERTISEMENT Prime Minister Christopher Luxon addresses 550 delegates at the annual National Party conference in Christchurch. Photo: RNZ / Giles Dexter (Source: Luxon's speech came hot on the heels of an announcement from the United States that it would increase tariffs to 15%. Still digesting the announcement and what it would mean for New Zealand exporters, Luxon acknowledged "challenging" global conditions. "We can't just batten down the hatches and hope for the best," he said. Luxon's speech made no mention of National's coalition partners, New Zealand First or ACT, or even the word "coalition" itself, although deputy Nicola Willis acknowledged the "energy" it took to keep Winston Peters and David Seymour under control. Instead, Luxon's speech was heavy on shout-outs to his National ministers and their policies, and also on blaming the previous government for the cost-of-living struggles New Zealanders currently faced. "In the years to come, immediate action on the cost of living isn't enough," he said. ADVERTISEMENT "The last government spent billions of dollars in failed handouts, only to watch inflation roar and the economy falter. "We have to keep our eyes on the prize." Echoing his speech at Monday's post-cabinet press conference, Luxon leaned on the economic policies the Government had introduced, such as tax changes, FamilyBoost and the removal of the Auckland Fuel Tax. "We're doing what we can," he said. The speech contained an announcement that the Government would make it easier to get a concession on Department of Conservation (DOC) land. "That means more certainty for businesses, less bureaucracy and much faster decisions, so the businesses that should be operating can get up and running." There would still be restrictions on some parts of the DOC estate. ADVERTISEMENT "Where it does make sense, we need to get to the 'yes' much faster - instead of being bogged down in process and uncertainty," Luxon said. Charges of $20-40 for foreign visitors to high-volume sites, such as Cathedral Cove, Tongariro Crossing, Milford Sound, and Aoraki Mount Cook, were being introduced, but New Zealanders would be exempt from the fees. Party president Sylvia Wood, who was re-elected at the conference, said the party would select candidates for the 2026 election shortly. Speaking to media afterwards, Luxon said there was more to do 18 months into the term. Before the 2026 election, Luxon said he expected to be judged on rebuilding the economy, restoring law and order, lowering the cost of living, and delivering better health and education. "Everyone's dealing with a really challenging global environment right now, but what we can do is control what we can control and that New Zealand has a plan. We can navigate some pretty choppy seas to get to the destination that we want to get to, but for that to happen, you've got to have the right people with the hands on the tiller, which is us." He committed to leading the party into the 2026 election and staying on another three years, if re-elected. ADVERTISEMENT While joking he wanted 100% of the vote, Luxon talked up National's relationship with ACT and New Zealand First. "I'm very proud of the fact that we've worked incredibly well with the three parties in a coalition in the way that we have," he said.


Scoop
5 hours ago
- Scoop
Unleashing Growth On Conservation Land
Rt Hon Christopher Luxon Prime Minister Minister of Conservation Unleashing economic growth on one third of New Zealand's land will create jobs and increase wages across the country, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Conservation Minister Tama Potaka announced at the National Party Conference in Christchurch today. 'The Department of Conservation manages huge tracts of New Zealand, from the most pristine parts of our National Parks and the Great Walks to areas of grassland used for grazing,' Mr Luxon says. 'Many New Zealanders already run outstanding businesses on the conservation estate – from guided walks and ski fields, to filming documentaries, grazing sheep and cattle, or hosting concerts and building cell phone towers. 'But to do any of that, you need a concession – and the concessions regime is totally broken, often taking years to obtain or renew and leaving businesses in a cycle of bureaucratic limbo. 'Outdated rules mean we've got examples of modern E-bike users being turned away from potential touring opportunities because they have to be considered as proper vehicles. And tourism on the Routeburn is being held up because the trail crosses artificial boundaries, with different rules and different limits. 'So, in the spirit of saying yes to more jobs, more growth, and higher wages, today I can make two announcements. 'First, we're going to fix the Conservation Act to unleash a fresh wave of concessions – like tourism, agriculture, and infrastructure, in locations where that makes sense. 'At the same time, sites that are truly special to New Zealanders should be protected so we are giving DOC more support by introducing a charge for foreign visitors to access high volume sites,' Mr Luxon says. Tama Potaka says this will initially involve looking at four locations – Cathedral Cove / Te Whanganui-a-Hei, Tongariro Crossing, Milford Track, and Aoraki Mount Cook – where foreigners often make up 80 per cent of all visitors. 'Tourists make a massive contribution to our economy, and no one wants that to change. But I have heard many times from friends visiting from overseas their shock that they can visit some of the most beautiful places in the world for free. 'It's only fair that at these special locations, foreign visitors make an additional contribution of between $20 and $40 per person. 'For the conservation estate that will mean up to $62 million per year in revenue, which will be directly re-invested into those same areas, so we can keep investing in the sites that underpin so much of our tourism sector,' Mr Potaka says. Mr Luxon says, at the same time, there will be no charge for New Zealanders to access the conservation estate. 'It's our collective inheritance and Kiwis shouldn't have to pay to see it. 'If we're serious about keeping Kiwis at home, creating jobs, and increasing wages for all New Zealanders, we can't afford to keep saying no to every opportunity that comes our way,' Mr Luxon says.