The Ayrburn Classic announces dates for 2026

7 May, 2025

The scenic landscapes of Arrowtown, nestled near Queenstown, came alive this past summer with the dazzling debut of the Ayrburn Classic.
Hosted at the luxurious hospitality precinct of Ayrburn, this three-day celebration of motoring mastery, culinary excellence, and live entertainment captured the imagination of thousands – and left them wanting more.
Now, following the overwhelming success of its inaugural event, the Ayrburn Classic is back — and it’s shifting into an even higher gear.

Save the date: Friday 20 – Sunday 22 February 2026
That’s right. The Ayrburn Classic returns next February for what promises to be another world-class celebration, scheduled slightly earlier on the calendar to bask in Central Otago’s long golden evenings and late-summer glow. This festival will once again transform Ayrburn into a playground for car enthusiasts, food lovers, and seekers of high-end hospitality alike.
The 2025 edition set an incredibly high benchmark, and is fast becoming one of the leading reasons to visit Queenstown – amongst New Zealanders and international travellers alike. With over 250 classic and contemporary luxury vehicles on display – collectively worth more than $250 million – the festival was a visual and visceral feast for attendees.
Standouts included an $8 million LaFerrari, the latest Aston Martin Vanquish, and a fleet of dream machines from Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren, and more. The event’s unique blend of elegance and accessibility attracted both seasoned collectors and casual admirers aplenty.

But that was just the beginning
The 2026 Ayrburn Classic will feature exciting new additions, turning the volume up on what’s fast becoming a landmark event. On Friday, the inaugural Tour d’Elegance will showcase the finest cars in motion, as they glide through the Wakatipu Basin’s breathtaking surroundings.
On Saturday, we open our gates to the public, judging begins, and the famed Ayrburn hospitality starts to flow. In the evening, a gala dinner will bring guests together for an exclusive night of fine food, conversation, and celebration.
By popular demand, Sunday sees the debut of Ladies’ Day, a most elevated celebration of women and motoring. This elegant Sunday feature will include a luxurious long lunch, Fashions in the Field, and a curated car exhibition – a nod to design, innovation, and heritage, with a distinctly feminine twist. Sunday is all about dressing up and indulging in world-class style, alongside world-class vehicles.

One of the premier reasons to visit Queenstown
More than a festival of motoring, the Ayrburn Classic is a weekend of lifestyle and entertainment for all.
For CEO Chris Meehan, the vision for the event is clear:
“This will be one of the premier reasons to visit Queenstown. The momentum is building, and we’re only just getting started.”
As an attendee of the 2025 event, you’ll be first in line when tickets go on sale and car registrations open. So keep a keen eye on your inbox – because 2026 is set to be even bigger, bolder, and more breathtaking.
The Ayrburn Classic 2026 is calling. Come along for the ride – again.

Lunch with Bill Leckie: An Imp’s tale

6 August, 2026

Seeking limelight is part of Bill Leckie’s DNA, but when I asked him if anyone had written about his career and the cars he created, he didn’t think so. Even so, I was delighted when he agreed to sit down with me over a pie and coffee to reminisce. I started by asking how it is that someone who is so fanatical about F1 only ever raced saloon cars? Well, we’ll get to that, but where did things start? “I went to Cornwall Park Primary School and then to Remuera Intermediate where I became good mates with Geoff Perry, son of the legendary motorcycle racing legend Len.” Geoff Perry was 23 and on the edge of stardom when he was killed in a mystery air disaster over the Pacific in 1973. “We used to race around his backyard on a cutdown motorbike. It was friendly competition that I suppose helped hone our racing instincts. There was never much between us and so, by 11 or 12, I had a definite leaning towards speed.”

Mitsubishi’s secret weapon

31 July, 2026

Ewen’s Starion is a little different and special. He saved this one – literally ‘found in a paddock’ — just in time, as he relates.
“Mine is a 1983 Starion. I’ve had it about five years. I first saw it in a paddock at Ryal Bush [north of Invercargill], and I went past it three times. The third time I went back and knocked at the door, but the owner didn’t want to sell. He rang up a year later, and put a price on it, which we accepted. Only thing wrong was the motor was totally dismantled.”
Ewen then set about getting the car back to its current state.
“It took me six months to find somebody suitable to refurbish it back then. Simon Bradley at Midas in Invercargill offered to do it and he did a great job on it. The head was badly damaged around the valves, and Simon said you could get generic cylinder heads now, so he installed one, and it cost $800. It’s made such a difference to the car. Mine is an intercooled, fuel-injected turbo model, fitted with a five-speed manual gearbox. It’s a great car to drive too.”
Except for a small patch of surface rust, Ewen’s car was in surprisingly good condition despite its paddock life.