Owner Awards 2025

Meet New Zealand's 2025 Owner of the Year Runners-Up: Trevor and Jo from Kiwi As Campers

The 2025 Camplify Owner Awards celebrate the people who make our community brilliant - and this year's Owner of the Year Runners-Up for New Zealand are a husband-and-wife team based in Auckland (Orewa) who've been sharing adventures since the very beginning of RV sharing in Aotearoa.

Trevor and Jo from Kiwi As Campers were original Share a Camper owners before Camplify even existed in New Zealand. Four or five years later, they're still going strong with five vehicles and a reputation for genuine hospitality that's earned them glowing reviews and a Christmas gift from Holland.

From the very beginning

Trevor and Jo's Camplify story goes back further than most – they were there before it was even called Camplify.

On how it all started...

Trevor and Jo's Camplify story goes back further than most. "We were the original Share a Camper in New Zealand," Trevor explains. "When Camplify took over and bought the business, we just joined the new Camplify group."

Years later, the formula hasn't changed: treat people well, keep the vans spotless, and genuinely care about the experience you're providing.

"I'm a people person," Trevor says. "I just love listening. We get a lot of overseas travellers, and when they come back and drop the camper off, they've got some great stories to tell."

Jo is a big part of the operation too – running the business alongside Trevor and helping maintain the standard that's earned them this recognition.

The fleet

Kiwi As Campers runs five vehicles from their base in Orewa, about 35 minutes north of Auckland: three Roller Team 6-berth campervans and two converted HiAce 2-berths.

But it's not just about the vans – it's about how Trevor and Jo send people off.

For bookings of 10 days or more, every hirer gets a welcome pack: tea, coffee, salt, pepper, a little bit of oil, a bag of New Zealand chippies, New Zealand biscuits, milk, and a bottle of New Zealand wine.

"Especially if they've travelled from overseas – they're tired, they've just come off the plane," Trevor says. "This way they can get started straight away."

For families with small kids? Trevor keeps a selection of DVDs ready to go. The vans have DVD players built in – a lifesaver for long drives with little ones.

A Christmas gift from Holland

After years of hosting international travellers, Trevor's seen plenty of memorable moments. One stands out above the rest.

On the moment that stuck with him...

"There was a Dutch family who came over last Christmas. When I picked them up at the airport, they actually presented me with a gift. I just didn't expect it."

It was chocolates and biscuits from Holland – a small gesture that meant everything.

"It just shows you what people are like. We did the handover and they said, 'We've got something special for you from Holland.' That one will probably stick with me for quite a while."

Did any chocolates survive? "No, they're all gone. I've got two teenage boys who hooked into them pretty quick."

The joy on kids' faces

For Trevor, the best part of hosting isn't the bookings or the reviews – it's watching families light up.

"It's the joy on the kids' faces when they first pick the vans up," he says. "If a family comes over, it's like someone's given the kids M&Ms or something. They bounce, they jump in."

"And actually, a few of them when they bring the camper back – they're pretty sad. So to me, it's good to see that excitement, and the parents too."

Tips from a veteran owner

With four or five years of experience, Trevor's advice for new owners is refreshingly simple.

His top tips:

"Do a little bit of homework on your guests – check reviews if you can. Always make sure the van's clean and everything's working. There's nothing worse than getting a complaint that something's dirty."

"And be happy. When you meet people, sell yourself and sell the van."

His welcome packs aren't just generous – they're strategic.

"International travellers are tired when they land. Give them something so they can get started straight away. Tea, coffee, some snacks, a bottle of wine. It makes a difference."

For owners looking to level up their hosting, our guide on maximising earnings with a quality listing covers similar ground.

Where they'd send you first

Based in Orewa on Auckland's North Shore, Trevor steers tired travellers toward the local beach first.

"If they come here after a long trip, I say just go into Orewa itself. It's like a seaside village – the beach is three kilometres long, golden sand, plenty of shops and cafes."

"Then anywhere north from here, the east coast beaches are amazing. Beautiful blue water, plenty of freedom camping sites and campgrounds."

Planning your own North Island loop? Our guide to road tripping through the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel covers stunning coastal routes.

Why the platform matters

Trevor's been around long enough to know what makes Camplify work – and he's clear about why he's stayed.

"The platform is really well thought out. Easy to use, easy to chat with staff. They answer the phone all the time."

"And no money changes hands between owner and hirer – that's what I like. Everything is taken care of for you. When they pay the deposit, you've got your booking. When they start the trip, you get paid. It's a great system."

But it's the community aspect that really resonates.

"I go on the Facebook pages and see what's going on. The Camplify community puts ideas out there, and Camplify actually listens. They take it on board. You feel valued."

The freedom of no plans

Trevor and Jo practice what they preach. When they take their own trips, the approach is simple.

"When we go away, usually for 10 days or two weeks, we've got a direction we want to go – but that's it. We might want to stay somewhere for two days, so we will."

"It's just having no plans, the freedom. We're self-contained. If you've had a hard week, you don't have to talk to anybody. There's always a fridge with a couple of beers. You can just go."

Ready to explore the North Island? Whether you're landing in Auckland or already on the road, Trevor and Jo will have you sorted with a welcome pack, local tips, and genuine Kiwi hospitality.

Meet all our 2025 Owner Award winners here.

Interested in meeting the Owner who took the title of Owner of the Year? Meet Tamie and Matt here.

Got an RV sitting in the driveway? See how Trevor and Jo have been sharing adventures since before Camplify even existed in New Zealand. Discover what your vehicle could earn.