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 560 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 560 participant’s veteran, vintage, and classic vehicles (from early 1900s 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, 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.

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.

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 (exact location to be confirmed), 6 to 9pm, over 560 vintage, veteran and classic vehicles will be on display while festival participants enjoy a night on the town.

Saturday, A&P Richmond Park, 10am to 2pm all participants will display their vehicles for the public alongside the Nelson Tasman car community. There will be food carts and interactive displays and games.

Details may change and will be updated closer to the event.