Photo: Gregor Richardson
The driver of the ute said the car ''stopped dead in the middle of the street to change lanes'', just past the intersection with London St near Moana Pool as he travelled uphill.
He did not have time to stop and rear-ended the car, he said.
One of the four passengers in the Nissan Tiida rental said the group, which spoke limited English, were visiting New Zealand.
A police spokeswoman said the two uphill lanes on Stuart St were blocked for a few minutes.
No-one was injured in the crash and St John did not attend, she said.
A tow truck was called to retrieve the rental vehicle.
The ute remained driveable.
