WHEELS AT WANAKA
Held Easter 2019, 2021, 2023 and 2025

The Wheels at Wanaka Charitable Trust has announced donations of over $200,000 to community groups across the Upper Clutha region and beyond, following the record-breaking success of its fourth and final event.

Held over three days across Easter weekend, the biennial Wheels at Wanaka event attracted more than 65,000 visitors and over 5,000 vehicles, making it the largest all-vehicle show in Australasia. The sheer scale of attendance and community participation helped generate unprecedented funds, which will now go directly back into supporting grassroots organisations.

Post-event surveys and statistical analysis revealed that this year’s event contributed a staggering $30.3 million to the local economy—an impressive jump from the $19 million generated in 2023. This significant economic impact underscores the value of the event not only as a community celebration but as a major driver of regional prosperity.

“This is exactly why the event was established—to bring people together and give back to the community that makes it all possible,” said Allan Dippie, general manager of Wheels at Wanaka. “To be in a position to donate over $200,000 is an extraordinary result and an incredible reflection of the hard work of our volunteers, the generosity of supporters, and the passion of vehicle enthusiasts across the country.”

The $200,000 will be distributed across 23 vehicle and machinery clubs, 8 local clubs for volunteer services and 38 local community groups and organisations.

The donations will support a range of diverse initiatives, including vehicle clubs and vintage machinery preservation, youth development, health services, sports clubs, support organisations, environmental causes and community resilience.

Event organiser Colleen Nisbet said, “We’ve reached out to a diverse range of recipients, with a particular focus on supporting local youth and the many community organisations that do incredible work - often with limited resources
and challenging fundraising prospects.”

Wheels at Wanaka general manager Allan Dippie added, “Although this was the final Wheels at Wanaka event, we’re committed to keeping the charitable trust active. Our goal is to provide ongoing annual support for the community through future events and initiatives. We have both the drive and the capability to continue encouraging events that raise funds and support the people who make this region such a special place to live.”

DONATIONS FOR SERVICES & VOLUNTEERING AT EVENT
Wanaka Rotary • Wanaka Fire & Emergency Volunteers • Warbirds Over
Wanaka  • Aspiring Gymsports • Mount Aspiring College Parents Association  - 
Green Team and  Kapa Haka • Aspiring Rotary • Aspiring Athletics

LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS & CAUSES
Brazilian & Latin America Community • Community Link Upper Clutha - Cold
Kids Campaign • Community Link Upper Clutha • Jake Berry for adaptive skiing
• Drive My Life Central Otago • Food For Love • Friends of MAC Group for teen
mental health support • Friends of Tarras School • Grow Wanaka • Hawea Flat
School • Hawea Moggie Squad • Hawea Wanaka Pony Club • Holy Family
School • Kahu Youth • LandSAR Wanaka • Life Education Trust • Mint
Charitable Trust • NZ Country Music Festival Trust • On Stage Wanaka • Otago
Goldfields Heritage Trust • Priya White for dance • Roxburgh Cinema
(Roxburgh Entertainment Centre Improvement and Promotions Incorporated) •
Tarras Community Church Charitable Trust • Te Kākano Aotearoa Trust • Te
Kura O Take Karara • Tititea Performing Arts Trust - Wanaka • Upper Clutha
Children’s Medical Trust • Upper Clutha Tracks Trust • Upper Clutha Wilding
Tree Group • Wanaka Arts and Culture Trust • Predator Free Wanaka • Wanaka
Community Workshop (The Men's Shed) • Wanaka Football Club • Wanaka
Pétanque Group • Wanaka Primary School • Wanaka Riding for the Disabled •
Wanaka Scout & Cub Group • Wanaka Swim Club

VINTAGE & MACHINERY CLUBS
Binders Down Under • Central Otago Motorcycle Club • Central Otago Sports
Car Club • East Otago Vintage Machinery Club • Edendale Vintage Club •
Fairlie Heritage Museum • Fiordland Vintage Machinery Museum • North Otago
Vintage Machinery Club • NZ Vintage Machinery Club • Otago Motorcycle Club
• Otago Sports Car Club • Otago Vintage Machinery Club • Roger Mahan
Heritage Centre • Shotover 4WD Club • Snowmobile Club Wanaka • South
Canterbury Traction Engine & Transport Museum • Southern Classic
Commercials Club • Southland Steam & Traction Engines Club • The Vintage
Car Club of New Zealand – Central Otago Branch • Thornbury Vintage Club •
Tuapeka Vintage Club • Waimea Vintage Club • West Otago Vintage Club

ADDITIONAL FUNDS RAISED AT EVENT / FREE TRADE SITES AT EVENT
Wanaka Lions Club • Melanoma NZ Spot Check Van • Wanaka Rowing &
Pioneer Netball • Upper Clutha Hockey • Gooserooter - Mental Health Advocate
• Koru Care

For further details on the economic impact survey and Wheels at Wanaka
Charitable trust please contact:

Allan Dippie
General Manager
allan@willowridge.co.nz

Annabel Roy
Promotions & Media Manager
media@wheelsatwanaka.co.nz
027 485 0028