New Zealand Trucking Media has been confirmed as a platinum media partner of Wheels at Wanaka 2021, supporting the Southpac Trucks Ltd Truck Show.

Wheels at Wanaka is a biennial event, the first of which took place last year, for all manner of wheeled machinery. And we mean all… There‘s a car and motorcycle show, the Southpac Truck Show, heritage tractor and farming equipment, and the Terra CAT Earthmoving Extravaganza. This event really steps away from the traditional formula for a vehicle-centred show, catering to everything on wheels in one place, at one time.

“Wheels at Wanaka is a charitable trust set up by a group of likeminded vehicle enthusiasts,” says Annabel Roy, marketing and communications manager for Wheels at Wanaka. 

“The first show in 2019 was a bit of an unknown. We went into it with high hopes and enthusiasm, but we really didn‘t know how it would go. But the industry support across all vehicle types was phenomenal.”

The show is held over the Eater weekend (Friday 2 to Sunday 4 April 2021). In all 12,000 people turned up to enjoy the 2019 show, with 129 trucks entered into the truck show. Next year, Roy says the organisers expect 20,000 visitors through the gates and at least 200 trucks on display. “We definitely expect it to grow after the response we got last year,” she says. 

Excitingly, Wheels at Wanaka is not a static show. The 50-acre show grounds feature a full-time parade ground that will continuously have the different vehicles strutting their stuff. “It‘s all moving and all action; a cool spectacle,” says Roy. There‘s live commentary for the visitors as well as many activations on the side – fancy driving a digger or a tractor? Fill your boots.

There will be trade stalls, food and beverage stands, retail, and industry trade as well. About 40 of the 100 stands are booked already. On the Saturday night, registered enthusiasts and their supporters, trade exhibitors and volunteers will be invited to the Shakedown in the Shed event, where they‘ll enjoy live bands, food trucks and the show awards ceremony. 

Entry is a single $20 cost regardless of how many vehicles you want to enter – “and people do bring a lot,” says Roy. Last year trucks came from as far away as Auckland. 

“I‘m super excited that we are associated with such an event as Wheels at Wanaka. Trucks and truck and machinery photography has been such a huge part of my life, and this event brings that all together in one beautiful place. Spanning so much history, it‘s a meeting place for so many people where fabulous stories will be shared. It’s going to be the weekend of weekends!” says New Zealand Trucking Media editor Dave McCoid.

“The partnership with New Zealand Trucking Media is such a coup for us,” says Roy. “The industry support that New Zealand Trucking has shown through the magazine is wonderful and we‘re so appreciative of the partnership and the relationship that we‘ll be growing into the future.” 

The 2021 show programme is soon to be finalised. For more information on Wheels at Wanaka and to buy tickets or enter a vehicle, visit www.wheelsatwanaka.co.nz, or like and follow Wheels at Wanaka on Facebook. New Zealand Trucking Media will also keep you updated in the lead up to the 2021 show across all our platforms.