hi everyone.
I will be traveling in NZ (south island) in Jan. We are bringing our road bikes and plan to do a mix of camping, tramping and cycling, based out of a rental car or van. I am having a debate with my BF about security for the bikes: living in northern california, I am quite paranoid about leaving the bikes on a car rack when we are not around, even if they are locked to the rack. My BF thinks that the bikes will be safe and that I am being a paranoid american urbanite.

Any advice on this? My feeling is that tourist vehicles can be a crime magnet no matter where you are, and that a better option would be to stash the bikes somewhere (or hide them in the campervan if we end up going that route).

thanks for the advice. Also, feel free to share recommended rides! We are not bike touring, but anticipate doing a lot of riding.
NM