Wheels at Wānaka announces 'final spin'

Next year's Wheels at Wānaka will be the event's finale, organisers have announced in a statement to media today.

The biennial event, which kicked off in 2019 and ran in 2021 and 2023, will be back in town next Easter for the last time.

"Wheels at Wanaka 2025 will be the fourth and last show,” event general manager Allan Dippie says in the statement.

The event's Alan Dippie takes part in the Claas Harvest Centre Tractor Pull Competition.

"Anyone who loves machines, cars, tractors – anything and everything with wheels or tracks really - would be mad to miss it.”

The event boasts 'if it's got wheels or tracks it will be on display' and is spaced over 50 acres at Wānaka's Three Parks.

Mr Dippie says what started as a vintage vehicle show as evolved since its inception to become a celebration of New Zealand’s automotive, agricultural and construction history and the craftsmanship that goes into creating and maintaining the engines that drive the sectors.

Included in its programme have been rally car demonstrations, tractor and truck pulling competitions, earthmoving machinery in action, and 'history-in-motion' vintage cars and other machines.

He says next year's final show will be "the biggest and best yet" and will acknowledge 100 years of Caterpillar.

"It promises to be a grand finale, a fitting occasion to fondly farewell an event that has captivated vehicle enthusiasts from across the country and around the world."

Last year's event attracted more than 40,000 people and delivered more than $100,000 to a range of community groups.

Tickets are on sale here.

Main image (Supplied/Neil Kerr): OceanaGolds' Cat 789 dump truck makes its way into the parade ground at the Wheels at Wānaka 2023 event.