Finding the best tow truck in Napier matters most at the moment your car will not start, has been in a crash or is stuck somewhere awkward. The operators below cover breakdown towing, accident recovery, jump starts, lockouts, winching and secure vehicle storage around Napier and the wider Hawke’s Bay, with depots in Onekawa, Awatoto and Whakatu. If you need a tow truck in Napier day or night, Trade Towage and Hawke’s Bay Towing both run around-the-clock call-outs.
1Trade Towage
Trade Towage is a Napier towing and roadside assistance company based in Onekawa, with a second depot at Twyford in Hastings. Owner and managing director Steve Karatau took over the business in 2013 and runs a fleet of tow trucks that handles cars and trucks, from everyday breakdowns to removing illegally parked vehicles. It suits drivers who need a local 24/7 tow to a workshop, and anyone needing short or long term vehicle storage in Napier.
Services
- 24/7 car and truck towing to a garage or compound
- Roadside assistance: jump starts, tyre changes, lockouts and fuel top-ups
- Vehicle winching and salvage
- Agricultural equipment, boat and forklift salvage
- Short and long term vehicle storage
Highlights
- Owned and run by Steve Karatau since 2013
- Eleven trucks and eleven full-time staff
- Depots in both Onekawa, Napier and Twyford, Hastings
- Undercover storage for damaged and undamaged vehicles
- Holds towing contracts with government and private organisations
Location & Contact
Name: Trade Towage
Address: 4 Angus Place, Onekawa, Napier 4110
Phone: 06 835 9715
Website: tradetowage.co.nz
2Hawke’s Bay Towing
Hawke’s Bay Towing operates from Whakatu, between Napier and Hastings, providing 24 hour towing and transport across Hawke’s Bay and throughout New Zealand. Alongside roadside breakdowns and car towing, it has a strong heavy salvage side, recovering trucks, trailers, diggers and farm machinery. It is a good fit for Napier motorists after a quick tow, and for businesses and farmers who need heavy equipment recovered or moved.
Services
- Roadside breakdown towing and vehicle winching
- Jump starts and car lockout services
- Heavy salvage for trucks, earthmoving and agricultural equipment
- Accident recovery and flood or water damage salvage
- Machinery moving by slide deck, low loader and hiab
Highlights
- Fleet of 18 trucks, including two specialised heavy salvage trucks
- Heavy salvage operators are qualified mechanics or have a mechanical background
- Hiabs lifting up to 9000 kg
- Certified class 1 and 2 pilots for over-dimension freight
- Alarmed storage yard with 24 hour camera monitoring
Location & Contact
Name: Hawke’s Bay Towing
Address: 39 Whakatu Road, Whakatu, Hastings
Phone: 06 876 7531
Website: hbtowing.co.nz
3Eco Car Removal and Towing
Eco Car Removal and Towing is based in Awatoto, Napier, and combines car removal and wrecking with a 24/7 towing service across Napier, Taradale, Hastings, Havelock North, Clive and Flaxmere. Its tow trucks handle accident recovery, roadside breakdowns, impound towing and scheduled vehicle transport. It suits drivers who want a tow after a crash with the option of selling or disposing of a written-off car through the same business.
Services
- Accident towing to a workshop or secure storage
- Roadside breakdown towing
- Impound towing and vehicle storage
- Scheduled vehicle transport
Highlights
- Yard in Awatoto, Napier
- Coordinates directly with insurers after an accident
- Buys damaged and unwanted vehicles in any condition, with free scrap car removal
Location & Contact
Name: Eco Car Removal and Towing
Address: 44 Briasco Street, Awatoto, Napier 4110
Phone: 0800 900 999
Website: ecocarremoval.co.nz
Tow Truck in Napier at a Glance
| Business | Highlight |
|---|---|
| Trade Towage | Owned and run by Steve Karatau since 2013 |
| Hawke's Bay Towing | Fleet of 18 trucks, including two specialised heavy salvage trucks |
| Eco Car Removal and Towing | Yard in Awatoto, Napier |
How to Choose the Right Tow Truck in Napier
- Check for 24/7 cover: breakdowns rarely happen in office hours, so confirm the operator answers after hours and on public holidays.
- Match the truck to the vehicle: a flatbed or slide deck is gentler on lowered, luxury or damaged cars, while trucks, motorhomes and machinery need heavy salvage gear.
- Ask about storage: after an accident your car may need to sit somewhere secure while insurance is sorted, so check whether storage is undercover or monitored.
- Confirm the drop-off: tell the operator which workshop or address you want the vehicle taken to, and whether they can work directly with your insurer.
- Look for a local depot: a tow truck operator based in Napier or nearby can usually reach Napier and Taradale roads faster than one dispatched from further afield.
Frequently Asked Questions About Napier Tow Trucks
What should I do while waiting for a tow truck in Napier?
Get yourself and passengers to a safe spot away from traffic, switch on your hazard lights and, if there are injuries or the vehicle is blocking a busy road, call 111 first. Have your location, vehicle make and model, and where you want it taken ready when you phone the towing company.
Do tow truck operators need a licence in New Zealand?
Yes. Businesses that tow or carry other people’s vehicles generally need a vehicle recovery service licence, and their drivers need a V endorsement. You can read how the licensing works on the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi vehicle recovery service page.
Can a tow truck help if I just have a flat battery or am locked out?
Often, yes. Many towing companies in Hawke’s Bay offer roadside assistance such as jump starts, tyre changes, lockouts and fuel top-ups, which can save a tow altogether. Ask when you call whether they can fix the problem on the spot.
Will my insurance or roadside membership cover towing?
Many vehicle insurance policies and roadside assistance memberships include towing after an accident or breakdown, but limits and approved operators vary. Check your policy or call your insurer before arranging a tow, and ask the towing company whether they deal with insurers directly.
Where are tow trucks based around Napier?
Towing in Napier is served from depots in the Onekawa and Awatoto industrial areas, and from Whakatu between Napier and Hastings. From these bases operators cover central Napier, Taradale and Clive, as well as Flaxmere, Hastings and Havelock North.
Can I get heavy vehicles or machinery towed in Hawke’s Bay?
Yes. Some Hawke’s Bay operators run heavy salvage trucks, low loaders and hiabs for trucks, trailers, diggers, tractors and boats. Describe the vehicle’s size and where it is stuck so the right equipment is sent.
What happens if my car was towed for illegal parking?
Vehicles towed for parking offences are usually taken to the tow operator’s compound. You will normally need photo ID and payment of the towing and any storage fees to collect it, so phone the operator first to confirm what to bring and when the yard is open.
How We Chose the Best Tow Truck in Napier
Every business in this guide was found by searching for tow truck in Napier, then checked against its own website. Names, addresses and phone numbers are taken from the business’s own site rather than a directory feed, so what you see here is what they publish themselves. We also check that each one is actually based in or genuinely serving Napier, rather than a national operator running a local landing page. A business with no website of its own is not listed, because there is no primary source to verify it against.