Cross Country Rentals: About Our Company

Family-owned and operated, Cross Country Rentals is a true Kiwi success story!

At Cross Country Rentals, we provide smart, flexible transport solutions that keep people, projects and organisations moving right across New Zealand.With a fleet of nearly 2,000 vehicles and a network of strategically located branches, we support a wide range of industries and travel needs – from daily operations and long-term contracts to one-off hires and specialist vehicle support. Our lineup includes everything from compact cars and 4WD utes to trucks, minibuses, cargo vans, and mobility vehicles – each one backed by the kind of service that puts people first.What sets us apart isn’t just the size of our fleet – it’s how we work. We believe transport should be simple, dependable, and shaped around what you actually need. That’s why our team takes the time to understand your goals and provide practical, cost-effective solutions that just work – whether you're running a nationwide operation or planning a single trip.We’re proudly family-owned and locally operated, with a hands-on, can-do culture built on honesty, reliability, and Kiwi ingenuity. Our customers come back not just for the vehicles, but for the people behind them – people who care about making things easier, faster, and more efficient.

“We’ve built this business by staying true to what matters – looking after our customers, backing our people, and finding smart solutions when others say it can’t be done.”
— James Snelgrove, Director, Cross Country Rentals

Over the years, we’ve grown steadily by doing the simple things well: being straight-up, delivering what we promise, and going the extra mile when it counts. That’s the Cross Country Rentals way – and we’re proud to be the trusted partner behind thousands of journeys, projects and operations across Aotearoa.

Our History

Cross Country Rentals is built on Kiwi ingenuity, community values, and a good bit of Number 8 wire thinking.

Our story began in 1957, when RNZAF World War II pilot Geoff Laugesen returned home with plans to take up sheep farming – but fate had other ideas. During the Meremere Power Project, Geoff spotted a real need for dependable 4WD vehicles to support the fast-growing infrastructure sector. He seized the opportunity, launching what would become a trusted name in New Zealand transport.

From those early days supporting the power industry, Geoff built a business based on practical service, quality vehicles, and an unwavering commitment to doing right by the customer.

In 2010, James and Emma Snelgrove purchased the business with just one location, a handful of staff, and big aspirations. Staying true to Geoff’s legacy of service and innovation, they focused on genuine, people-first relationships – growing the business year after year through honesty, reliability, and word of mouth.

Today, Cross Country Rentals operates a nationwide network and a fleet of almost 2,000 vehicles. We’re trusted by schools, government agencies, tradespeople, event organisers, and everyday Kiwis alike. And while our reach is bigger than ever, our values haven’t changed a bit.

We’re still proudly local, still family-owned, and still doing everything we can to make transport easy, flexible, and friendly – the way it should be.