The Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring is an event organised by the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand Incorporated.

Every 4 years we celebrate veteran, vintage, and classic vehicles and the people who love them. This is an international rally that attracts participants from all over the world and New Zealand. In 2026 over 550 vehicles will be taking part.

In 2026 this exciting event takes place in the Nelson Tasman region over the course of the week of 15th to 21st March. The event will consist of vehicle rallies and public events across Nelson Tasman throughout the week. See below for a list of public events.

On each rally day vehicles will stop for lunch in various locations across Nelson/Tasman. It’s a great chance to see these vehicles close up and in action. There will also be two public displays, one with at least 550 participant’s veteran, vintage, and classic vehicles (from early 1903 to 1996) in the Nelson CBD and the other at the Richmond A&P grounds with the same vehicles alongside many more local veteran, vintage, and classic vehicles, plus food trucks and family fun.

Monday to Friday, approximately midday to 1:30pm, vehicles will come and go at the following locations as participants gather for lunch while exploring the region:

Monday 16th:
Kaiteriteri Beach Motor Camp - mostly vintage and classic vehicles;
Mapua Wharf - mostly veteran vehicles.
Rabbit Island - mostly veteran vehicles.

Tuesday 17th:
Kerr Bay Lake Rotoiti (or St Arnaud Community Hall if raining) - mostly vintage and classic vehicles;
Redstone Golf Park - mostly veteran vehicles.

Wednesday 18th:
Higgins Heritage Park - veteran, vintage and classic vehicles;

Thursday 19th:
Tapawera Sports Park & School Grounds - mostly vintage and classic vehicles;
Ngatimoti School - mostly veteran vehicles.
Mahana School - mostly veteran vehicles.

Friday 20th:
A&P Richmond Park - veteran, vintage and classic vehicles;


Public show and shine vehicle displays will happen twice during the festival and public are invited along to see these beautiful vehicles on display in all their glory:

Wednesday evening, Nelson CBD Buxton and Montgomery car parks, 6 to 9pm, over 550 vintage, veteran and classic vehicles will be on display while festival participants enjoy a night on the town.

Saturday, A&P Richmond Park, this will be a great day! A huge vehicle display with all the Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring vehicles. Vehicles from the Nelson Tasman region, all over New Zealand, and from overseas will be on show for Vero IFHM entrants and the public to enjoy from 10am to 3pm. There will be car rides and a variety of food trucks will be on site.
Public entry $10 per adult, $20 per family, children under 12 free. Heritage car rides by koha – proceeds to Nelson Cancer Society.

Details may change and will be updated closer to the event. Events and locations will also be listed separately.