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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.

2027 Star Insure Calendar Competition Terms and Conditions

2 July, 2026

2027 Star Insure Calendar Competition
We’ve partnered up with Star Insure in search for 13 outstanding classic cars to feature across the 2027 Star Insure Calendar and the December issue of NZ Classic Car Magazine. One standout entry wins the ultimate honour: cover placement on both the calendar and the magazine, with the remaining 12 featured across the monthly pages.
Email your photo to [email protected] and include your full name, postal address, phone number and vehicle details (year, make and model). Entries close Friday, 31 July 2026. *T’s & C’s apply.
Read more to find out the full details >>

NZ Classic Car magazine, July/August 2026 issue 406, on sale now

21 June, 2026

Rebirth of a brilliant Grand Tourer –1973 Datsun 240Z
How often do we long for that ultimate dream sports car, and that dream comes true? This is about one of the most influential Japanese cars of all time, a car that changed the sports car market.
This is about much more than the restoration of an iconic classic sports car, the 240Z. It’s about the culmination of a dream over many years and the friendships made. It’s about the people who helped and the professionals whose approach ensured that the dream became a reality, an attitude typical of the industry we call ‘classic restoration experts’.
It is no surprise that the outcome after a lengthy search by Conrad Van der Geest for the right Datsun 240Z culminated in a trophy for the best Japanese car at this year’s Caroline Bay Beach, Rock N’ Hop at Timaru.
Originally a roadworthy car in running order, it was left-hand-drive and had been driven for several years by its Timaru owner, as Conrad explains.
“A neighbour, Dave Barron, knew I was looking for one and introduced me to the owner. I had seen the car being driven around Timaru. It was unusual for one of these coming originally from California, so it was a really clean car instead of rusty, as they are prone to rust. The story goes that the grandfather passed it onto his grandson, who decided to sell it, and that’s when it came over here.”
Every issue comes with our FREE huge wall poster; this issue, it’s our cover car for this edition, a 1973 Datsun 240Z