Introducing the Camplify Owner Awards: a proper thank you to the people behind every adventure

When we sat down to think about what makes Camplify special, the answer didn't take long. It's you - the owners across Aotearoa who turn a set of keys into someone else's adventure.

This year, we wanted to find a new way to say thank you. The Camplify Owner Awards are our first-ever celebration of the people who make this community what it is. Not just the bookings, but the airport pickups when someone's landed after a long-haul flight. The custom itineraries scribbled out over a cuppa. The "give us a bell if you need anything" that actually means it.

These are the moments that don't show up on a dashboard - but they're exactly what we wanted to honour.

How we chose the winners

Our team looked for owners who genuinely embody the Camplify spirit: a real passion for getting people outdoors, a willingness to go the extra mile for hirers, and those who quietly mentor newer owners coming through.

With so many owners doing brilliant work across the country, choosing just a handful was never going to be easy - and honestly, we know we've only scratched the surface. These awards aren't about ranking the best from the rest. They're about shining a light on a few of the stories that caught our eye this year.

With so many incredible stories to tell, these are just a few of the amazing experiences our owners provide. If you didn’t make the list this year, it’s not because we don’t see the great things you are doing, we just haven’t told your story yet.

We're excited to hear more of them as this community continues to grow.

The winners

Owner of the Year: Tamie & Matt from Queenstown Campervans

Tamie's Camplify journey started as a university assignment. It became real when her grandmother passed away and left a small inheritance - money Tamie knew had to go towards something meaningful. That first campervan was named Rene, after her nan. "It meant we could go away camping when we wanted to, but other kids and families were able to experience that as well. A bit of a legacy."

Four Mercedes campervans later, Tamie and Matt have earned a reputation for going above and beyond. Matt makes up every bed before handover - hotel standard, right down to the Windex for the windows. And when a Make-A-Wish family reached out hoping to fulfil a 21-year-old's dream of travelling the South Island? Tamie didn't just hand over the keys. She personally booked activities and rallied her industry contacts to make the trip unforgettable.

Oh, and one hirer loved their van so much he got it tattooed on his thigh. Exact replica.

Read Tamie & Matt's full story

New Owner of the Year: Kim & Nathan from Soel Outdoors

Kim and Nathan joined Camplify in October 2024 with one off-road caravan. By Christmas, they had three. Today? Seven of their own, plus a managed fleet of 25 vehicles. In one year.

Their secret? Family-focused caravans you simply can't find anywhere else in New Zealand - proper off-road Australian builds that can handle rivers and snow alike. Kim makes up the bunks with themed bedding and plushies for the kids. Nathan runs through towing with every first-timer until they're confident. And when winter came, they didn't slow down - families headed south into the snow, diesel heaters keeping everyone warm.

"A lot of our customers can't afford to buy what we provide," Kim says. "So if we can offer it for a fraction of the cost, that's gold to me. It's holidays and memories."

Read Kim & Nathan's full story

Legend Owner of the Year: John & Nicci from Christchurch

John and Nicci joined Camplify just three months after we launched in New Zealand back in 2019. Six years later, they're still going strong - proof that treating every guest like whānau never goes out of style.

Their 20-acre property has become part of the experience: sandpits and bikes for the kids, a games room, and space to learn the van properly without distractions. Some families come back a day early just so the kids can play. Others have stayed for barbecue dinners, returned for honeymoons, then sent their mates.

John responds to booking requests within five minutes. Nicci builds custom itineraries based on the weather and what hirers want to see. And 95-99% of their guests come from overseas - word of mouth from England, Ireland, Germany, and beyond.

"You've got to be proactive," John says. "You've got to get back to people."

Read John & Nicci's full story

Listing of the Year: Bernie & Reni from Olly Campers

Bernie and Reni spent nearly a decade travelling the world before COVID changed everything. Now they channel that energy into Olly Campers - named after their daughter Olivia — where every hire is prepped like they're doing it for themselves.

Three years ago, they worked from a single garage too small to fit a campervan inside. Today, they're the first motorhome rental business in Hamilton Airport's history, with 15 vehicles and a rental management operation that other owners trust with their vans.

But what really sets them apart is how they treat hirers. When a solo Swiss traveller arrived feeling lost, Bernie shared tips from his own travels. The messages kept coming long after the booking ended - Singapore, Malaysia, wherever the guy went next.

"Camplify made me feel I am travelling," Bernie says. "When I prepare the motorhomes, I do it like I'm doing it for myself. By helping someone to travel — this feeds my soul."

Read Bernie & Reni's full story

Read their full stories

Every winner has a story worth telling. Head over to our Owner Awards page to see all the 2025 winners and runners-up - see their vans, hear how they got started, and find out what they reckon makes a great owner.

Your turn next year

If your name's not on this list, keep doing what you're doing. Keep sharing your local knowledge, keep going the extra mile, and keep creating those moments that turn a trip into a story.

We'll be watching — and we can't wait to celebrate even more of you in 2026.

Inspired by our winner's stories? List your van.

See how owners across the Tasman are doing it

The Owner Awards aren't just a New Zealand thing. Over in Australia, we've celebrated owners like Jono & Chris from Only Vans (17 custom-built campervans and a damage rate so low it's almost unbelievable), Lauren from Outback 2 Sea (2,200+ bookings and military-level logistics), and Jake, who went from zero bookings to New Owner of the Year in less than a year.

Different markets, same spirit. If you're keen to see how the Aussie owners approach things - or if you're a hirer planning a trip across the ditch - check out the Camplify Australian Owner Awards.