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How it works

Towing in NZ

Breakdown and booked tows. One checked local tow operator, booked for you.

One checked local tradie in NZ, booked for you. Free for you. We're paid by the pros we match you with.

What a tow operator can help with

  • Towing a car that won't start
  • Taking a car to a mechanic
  • Moving an unwanted car
  • Towing after a minor crash
  • Moving a car between homes

Not on the list? Describe the job anyway and we'll tell you if we can help.

We're not a 24/7 service yet. If you've broken down on the road, call your roadside assistance or a tow company directly. For a tow you can book ahead, tell us the job.

Sample photo: Salim Virji (CC BY-SA 2.0)

What we check

Before we book a tow operator, we check they hold insurance for the work.

How we check a tradie.

Companies OfficeAny NZ business Shows whether a business is a registered company and who runs it. Search it yourself

What towing costs in NZ

Published NZ prices, so you know roughly what to expect. Every job is different, so your tow operator quotes after looking at it. We check that quote against figures like these.

JobTypical price
Council or public land tow, weekdays 7am to 6pmusual tow fee, separate from any parking infringement fee, GST not stated$52.50Consumer NZ, page undated
Council or public land tow, any other timeusual tow fee, GST not stated$70.00Consumer NZ, page undated
Auckland Transport standard tow feethe article says AT is limited to this and cannot charge storage or release fees; a reader comment lists $71.50 for 6pm to 7am; a government review of fees was reported, so check it is still current; GST not stated; Auckland$53.60Greater Auckland, 2024
Private tow within 20km of the carSuperCity Towing booking price, then $2.50 plus GST per km beyond 20km; GST not stated on the $189$189My Auto Shop, page undated
Storage after the first day (private property tows)per day, varies by firm; Consumer NZ also says there is no set tow fee on private property; GST not stated$10 to $15Consumer NZ, page undated

Before you say yes

Good questions to ask your tow operator, and the warning signs to walk away from.

Questions to ask

  • Is the price fixed, and does it include GST, the hook-up and the drop-off?
  • How far will you tow it, and what do you charge per kilometre beyond that?
  • Do you hold a vehicle recovery transport service licence, and does the driver have a vehicle recovery (V) endorsement?
  • Where is my car going, and is there a storage fee per day if I can't collect it straight away?
  • Does my insurance or roadside assistance (AA, for example) already cover this tow before I pay?

Red flags

  • A driver turns up that you didn't call, or arrives before you have agreed a price.
  • They won't state a total price, or the price changes once your car is on the truck.
  • They want to take your car to a yard that is far from where you need it, or refuse to name the yard.
  • They add a call-out fee or storage charge that was not mentioned up front.

How it works

  1. Tell us the jobType what needs doing and where. That is all we need to start.
  2. We call you and checkWhere the trade needs a licence, we check the public register first.
  3. One local tradie, bookedThey look at the job and give you their own quote.
  4. A fair priceWe check the quote against what the job usually costs in NZ.

Towing questions

Is it free to find a tow operator with GoodTradie?

Yes. You pay nothing to us. We're paid by the pros we match you with, and you pay the tradie for the job as normal.

What do you check before booking a tow operator?

We check they hold insurance for the work. You can also look up their business on the Companies Office register.

Will I get several towing quotes?

No. We book one checked local tow operator. They look at the job and give you their own quote.

How do I know the price is fair?

We check the quote against what the job usually costs in NZ, using published cost guides. You decide whether to go ahead.

How much does towing cost in NZ?

Council or public land tow, weekdays 7am to 6pm: $52.50 (Consumer NZ, page undated). Council or public land tow, any other time: $70.00 (Consumer NZ, page undated). Auckland Transport standard tow fee: $53.60 (Greater Auckland, 2024). Private tow within 20km of the car: $189 (My Auto Shop, page undated). Storage after the first day (private property tows): $10 to $15 (Consumer NZ, page undated). Your tow operator quotes after looking at the job.

Tell us the job. We'll find the tradie.

One checked local tradie, booked for you. Free for you.

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