Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Flying across the Cook Strait....

Some 23 years ago, I was going to cross the Cook Strait by ferry but found that I could drop off the rental car at WLG, fly across the water in a Cessna (6 seater including the pilot - baggage in a belly extension), land on a dirt airstrip in the middle of nowhere, where the rental company on the other side was waiting with a new rental car. Any way to accomplish this these days?

Not sure if that options still available :) still you could always fly NZ from WLG to Nelson or Blenheim. Hertz and Avis are available at both. Flights from Wellington to Nelson are usually $99 (www.airnz.co.nz) or $119 to Blenheim

Soundsair flies from Wellington to Picton (airfield is about halfway between Picton and Blenheim) - limited schedule.

Otherwise Air NZ WLG-BHE/NSN (almost hourly flights), or air2there WLG/PPM-BHE/NSN (very limited schedule).