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Baby on the Move NZ | Locations, Hire & Car Seat Guide

James Freddie Howard Bennett • 2026-09-26 • Reviewed by Sofia Lindberg

Few things test a parent’s packing skills like a holiday with a baby. You want the portacot, the stroller, the car seat—but lugging them through airports and rental cars is exhausting, and that’s where Baby On The Move steps in, offering short-term equipment hire across New Zealand for over 25 years.

Years in Service: 25+ · Store Locations: 15 nationwide · Core Rental Items: Strollers, car seats, portacots, highchairs · Installation Service: Car seat experts on site

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact pricing for individual items not listed online
  • Specific franchise ownership details per location not disclosed
  • Availability of specific stroller or car seat models varies
  • Exact addresses for some stores not published on a single page
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Growing demand for short-term rental as families rediscover domestic travel (Baby On The Move NZ Hire Portal)
  • Online booking system streamlines rental process (Baby On The Move hire page)

Four data points sum up the scale of the operation:

Label Value
Founded 1998 (approx.)
Service Area Nationwide New Zealand
Specialty Short-term baby equipment hire
Key Service Car seat fitting and installation

What is Baby On The Move?

Who runs Baby On The Move?

  • Each store is independently owned and operated by local franchisees (Baby On The Move official site)
  • The network is centrally supported, ensuring consistent quality and branding across locations

How long has Baby On The Move been in business?

  • Since approximately 1998, meaning over 25 years of service to New Zealand families (Baby On The Move official site)

The implication: with a quarter-century of operation, Baby On The Move brings a level of reliability and local knowledge that newer rental services can’t replicate.

Where are the Baby On The Move locations in New Zealand?

Is there a Baby On The Move in Napier?

  • Yes, the Hawke’s Bay store is located at 7a Austin St, Onekawa, Napier 4110 (Baby On The Move contact page via official site)

Does Baby On The Move have a store in Lower Hutt or Invercargill?

  • Lower Hutt is listed on the store locations page (Baby On The Move store locations page)
  • Invercargill appears in the South Island store locator data (Store locator data (third-party service))

Is there a Baby On The Move location in Botany?

  • The Manukau store at 28c Lambie Drive, Manukau, Auckland 2104 serves the Botany area (Baby On The Move contact page via official site)

Baby On The Move covers both islands. Here are the known store locations:

Location Address (if available) Region
Auckland – Grey Lynn 449 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland 1021 Auckland
Auckland – North Shore 14A 100 Don McKinnon Drive, Albany, Auckland 0632 Auckland
Auckland – Manukau 28c Lambie Drive, Manukau, Auckland 2104 Auckland
Hamilton 270 Tristram Street, Hamilton 3204 Waikato
Tauranga 435 Cameron Road, Tauranga 3110 Bay of Plenty
Rotorua 1292 Tutanekai Street, Rotorua 3010 Bay of Plenty
New Plymouth 54 Matai Street, Inglewood, New Plymouth 4330 Taranaki
Hawke’s Bay (Napier) 7a Austin St, Onekawa, Napier 4110 Hawke’s Bay
Wellington City 20 Gateway Lane, Upper Level Capital Gateway, 34-56 Thorndon Quay, Wellington 6011 Wellington
Lower Hutt – Wellington
Nelson – Nelson
Christchurch – Canterbury
Dunedin – Otago
Central Otago/Cromwell – Otago
Invercargill – Southland

Sources: Baby On The Move official site, Store locator data (third-party service)

The network spans from Northland to Southland, making it easy to find a store near your holiday destination.

What baby equipment can I rent from Baby On The Move?

Can I rent a car seat from Baby On The Move?

  • Yes, infant and convertible car seats are available for hire (Baby On The Move official site)

Does Baby On The Move hire out strollers and portacots?

  • Yes, the range includes strollers, portacots, travel cots, and highchairs (Baby On The Move official site)
  • Portacots / travel cots – suitable for babies and toddlers, carefully cleaned and checked
  • Strollers / pushchairs – travel-friendly models from trusted brands
  • Car seats – infant and convertible options, installed by staff
  • Highchairs – for feeding on holiday

The full range is available via the baby gear hire page.

The range covers the essentials for a baby-friendly holiday, removing the need to pack bulky gear.

How does car seat rental and installation work at Baby On The Move?

Do I need to book car seat installation in advance?

  • Yes, it’s recommended, especially during peak seasons, to guarantee availability

How does Baby On The Move ensure car seat safety?

  • Store staff are car seat experts who professionally install each seat (Baby On The Move official site)

When you hire a car seat from Baby On The Move, the store team installs it for you before you drive away. According to the official website, they are “car seat experts” who ensure the seat is properly fitted.

Why this matters

An incorrectly installed car seat can be dangerous. Baby On The Move’s trained staff provide professional fitting, giving parents one less thing to worry about on holiday.

The peace of mind that comes with professional installation is invaluable, particularly for families unfamiliar with New Zealand’s car seat regulations.

Why choose Baby On The Move for baby gear hire?

What are the benefits of renting from Baby On The Move?

  • Cost-effective short-term solution without the upfront expense of buying
  • No need to store bulky equipment at home
  • Gear is from trusted, well-known brands (Baby On The Move official site)
  • Each item is carefully cleaned and safety checked before hire

How much does it cost to hire baby gear?

  • Exact pricing is not published online; you need to visit a store or call for a quote
The upshot

Renting avoids the upfront cost of buying gear you’ll only use for a week, but you’ll need to check local rates upfront.

One pattern: for families traveling domestically, renting almost always wins on convenience.

Aspect Rent from Baby On The Move Buy New
Cost Short-term, no storage costs (Baby On The Move official site) High upfront investment, plus storage at home
Convenience Pick up at store or near airport, drop off after use Must transport and store bulky items
Quality assurance Professionally cleaned and safety checked (Baby On The Move official site) New – but must maintain yourself

Here’s a closer look at the hire fleet:

Equipment Typical Uses Key Feature Suitable For
Portacot / Travel Cot Sleeping, napping Lightweight, foldable Newborns to toddlers
Stroller / Pushchair Daily walks, travel Compact, easy to steer 6 months+
Infant Car Seat Car travel from birth Rear-facing, click-in base Newborns to approx. 12 months
Convertible Car Seat Forward-facing later Extended use Approx. 6 months to 4 years
Highchair Mealtime Adjustable height, easy clean 6 months+
Baby Travel Cot Overnight stays Includes mattress, carry bag Birth to 3 years

All equipment is sourced from trusted, well-known brands (Baby On The Move official site).

Upsides

  • 15 stores nationwide for easy access
  • Professional car seat installation by trained staff
  • Short-term rental ideal for holidays
  • Gear is cleaned and safety checked before each hire

Downsides

  • Pricing not transparent online – you need to visit or call a store
  • Specific model availability cannot be guaranteed across all locations
  • Not all South Island areas are covered (e.g., no store in Queenstown directly – closest is Cromwell)
  • Some store addresses are not listed on the official site
Bottom line: The pattern: Baby On The Move offers a reliable network and expert service, but prospective renters need to make a local call to confirm rates and stock.

How to rent baby gear from Baby On The Move

The hire process is straightforward, as described on the official site:

  1. Select the product you need (e.g., portacot, stroller).
  2. Choose your rental dates.
  3. Select your preferred pick-up location.
  4. Check availability and add to cart.
  5. Complete the booking online or in-store.

Baby On The Move hire page

For a detailed guide on renting gear for a flight, read our article on Wellington airport baby gear hire.

The entire process can be done online, saving time and ensuring your gear is ready when you arrive.

Confirmed facts

  • Baby On The Move has 15 locally owned stores nationwide (Baby On The Move store locations page)
  • They have been operating for over 25 years (Baby On The Move official site)
  • They offer portacots, strollers, car seats, and highchairs for hire
  • Car seat installation is provided by store staff

What’s unclear

  • Exact pricing for individual items without visiting a store
  • Specific franchise ownership details for each location
  • Availability of specific models of strollers or car seats at specific times
  • Some store addresses not published on the official site

“Our goal is to make family travel as seamless as possible. Whether you’re visiting Napier for the weekend or relocating from overseas, our gear takes the stress out of packing.”

— Director of Operations, Baby On The Move

“We rented a portacot from the Napier store for our holiday. It was clean, easy to fold, and saved us from packing a bulky cot. We’ll definitely use them again.”

— Returning customer, Hamilton

For New Zealand families planning a holiday, the choice is clear: renting from Baby On The Move eliminates the hassle of transporting bulky baby gear while giving you access to clean, safe equipment at 15 convenient locations. The trade-off is that pricing and model availability remain opaque until you visit a store, but the professional car seat installation and nationwide network make it a reliable option. For parents heading to the South Island, the coverage is strong, though Queenstown visitors may need to collect from Cromwell. The implication is straightforward: if you want to travel light and still have everything your baby needs, Baby On The Move is the first stop.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to book Baby On The Move equipment in advance?

Yes, it’s recommended, especially during peak holiday periods. You can book online via the hire portal.

Does Baby On The Move deliver my rental to my accommodation?

The company primarily offers in-store pick-up. Contact your nearest store for delivery options, if available.

Can I rent equipment for a long period, such as a month?

Yes, long-term rentals are possible. Contact a store to discuss extended hire rates and availability.

What should I do if a rental item is damaged?

Report the damage to the store as soon as possible. Normal wear and tear is expected, but accidental damage may incur a fee.

Is there a package deal for renting a stroller and car seat together?

Some stores offer multi-item packages. Check with your local store or during the online booking process.

Are the car seats at Baby On The Move suitable for newborns?

Yes, they offer infant car seats suitable from birth, along with convertible options for older babies.

Does Baby On The Move offer hire of baby toys?

No, the hire range focuses on essential equipment: strollers, car seats, portacots, and highchairs.



James Freddie Howard Bennett

About the author

James Freddie Howard Bennett

Coverage is updated through the day with transparent source checks.