It’s about the journey, not the destination. That might be true in the abstract, but if you’re taking a long road trip with three kids and a dog, it can be stressful – you’ll probably be very pleased to arrive at your holiday location. To make the journey as relaxing as possible, the right vehicle really helps. Here are five family-sized SUVs that combine safety, comfort and fun features to help you get the most out of the entire holiday – right from the moment you set off. Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Three kids in the back, boogie boards in the boot – or bring a couple of friends. The Outlande ..read more

Here at the AA, we warmly welcome the arrival of spring. As birds chirp and flowers bloom, the cleaning fanatics amongst us gear up for a good ol' fashioned spring spruce up. So, what better time to give the car a good spring clean? So we decided to put our money where our mouth is! Armed with the Car Wash Pack from the AA Shop we put it to the test against one Nissan Leaf and two small children who are not afraid to push the boundaries of car cleanliness. Read on for how we got on and our top ten steps for a sparkly spring car.   Firstly – Unpacking the pack What’s in here? 1x Sponge ..read more

Recently the severe weather and torrential rain has wreaked havoc across New Zealand – including on our vehicles. We’ve all seen photos of cars floating in floodwater and upside-down utes, and as many as 10,000 vehicles are likely to be written off. But flood damage isn’t always obvious. Just because water doesn’t run out when you open the door, doesn’t mean a car hasn’t been impacted by water. It might have been parked when water levels rose, or driven through deep water to escape flooding. It’s helpful to know whether your car has been damaged by floodwater – you may need to make an insuranc ..read more

Confused with the ever-changing landscape of hybrid acronyms? Just when you thought you understood the difference between a hybrid and a PHEV, along comes a mild-hybrid-plus and the impressively named super-hybrid. As not all hybrids are equal – variations in the different systems impact fuel economy and C02 emissions – we’ve prepared a handy guide to break down the different options currently available in New Zealand. HYBRID (or HEV) HEV stands for Hybrid Electric Vehicle, otherwise known simply as a hybrid. Sometimes these are referred to as ‘full hybrids’ to avoid being confused with a mild ..read more

At the AA, we’re focused on road safety and keeping New Zealand drivers informed. Speed cameras play a vital role in reducing accidents, but they also generate significant revenue—raising questions about their effectiveness and placement. Let's take a look at the data.  Police data from 58 active fixed speed cameras around New Zealand shows 371,273 tickets were issued in 2023, totalling $29,938,290 in fines. The camera on Mill Rd in Counties Manukau was the highest grossing machine in the country, taking in a cool $2,573,900 in the 12-month period between January and December. Changes to ..read more

Car batteries. Snoozefest, right? Unlike toys, cars come with batteries included and chances are you don’t give your battery a second thought. That is, until something goes wrong. Battery failure can range from a mild inconvenience through to a terrifying safety threat, as these recent real-life stories from AA employees demonstrate: Sometimes the stakes can be a lot higher when a car battery fails.  “It was the second to last day of term and I’d just bundled the kids into our 2017 Nissan Leaf for what I was hoping would be a smooth run to school. As usual, the car was chaotic as the kids ..read more

From reversing a boat trailer down the ramp or loading up a caravan in the most balanced way, it takes practice to feel comfortable towing. But the rewards are the convenience and the independence of moving large items yourself. Before hitting the road with a trailer, it is crucial to understand the legal requirements. “It’s not just a case of going down to Bunnings and hooking up a trailer,” Robert Wriesnik, AA Driving Instructor says. “It’s the driver’s responsibility to drive legally and safely.” Towing a light trailer doesn’t require any special licence in New Zealand, so it’s up to the d ..read more

In a somewhat counterintuitive finding, an American study out of John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health late last year has concluded that narrow lanes save lives and also improve the environmental impacts of transport. The authors concluded that: Narrower lanes do not increase the risk of collision. When comparing 9- and 11-foot lanes, we found no evidence of increased car crashes. Yet, increasing to 12-foot lanes did increase the risk of crashes, most likely due to drivers increasing their speed and driving more carelessly when they have room to make mistakes. Speed limit plays a key ..read more

1. Twin Coast Discovery, Northland Auckland to Dargaville, via Whangārei and Cape Rēinga. 770km. This mighty road trip connects the little coves, beaches and bays of the east coast of the North Island and the immense dunes, wild coastline and vast, sweeping harbours out west. With nearly 800km of distinct and spectacular scenery, driving this highway, in part or whole, is one of the best ways to experience as much of the Northland region as possible. From Auckland head up the east coast. You can stop to stretch your legs in Whangārei on the loop aro ..read more

Slip sliding away, Audi style It’s been a minute since the AA attended the Audi Ice Experience. Twelve years in fact, but who’s counting, right? When the invite arrived for the 2024 event, straws were drawn to decide which AA Motoring Expert would attend. As a bucket list experience for the AA team, suffice to say there was Olympic medal-winning euphoria from the winner; the runner-uppers required several counselling sessions. Guess who... The Audi Ice Experience, now in its 15th year, matches a bespoke driving tutorial with a luxury mini break, including five-star accommodation at the Rees ..read more