With no boat ramp at the bay tractors were essential equipment for getting boats across the sand for launching. Without tractors there would be no fun on the water, he said.
"Tractors are such an integral part of summer here in the bay. It's the sound of their engines, their character ... Some of them are literally held together by bits of wire, others are as immaculate as when they rolled out of the factory 50 years ago."
Mr Redwood said the event catered to everyone, from the enthusiast who spent every evening lovingly restoring a tractor to its original condition to the family that turned an ordinary tractor into a Batman-themed float.
"When you see a new one go past it's a real discussion point in the bay. You'll hear people say: 'Look, so-and-so's got a 1950s Ukrainian tractor'."
Prizes are awarded for best-decorated, most-pimped, best pre- and post-1970 tractor, and best team effort. The top trophy goes to the most loved tractor.
This summer's spectacular was held on December 30. Contestants in the best-decorated category included a Barbie tractor, a giant carrot, an All Black tribute and Thomas the Tank Engine. One entry poked fun at US president-elect Donald Trump's pledge to build "a beautiful wall" to keep Mexicans out; three teams created Star Wars-themed tributes to the late Carrie Fisher, the actress who played Princess Leia.
The previous year's most-loved winner, an extraordinarily rusty 1960s David Brown 880 called Barnacle, led the parade. (Owner John Turner said: "It's not old, it's just been neglected.")
This year's winner of the most pimped category was Team Hooker while the best decorated title went to the hippy-themed Aquarius.
The winner of the best pre-1970 category was Brendon Clifford of Auckland, who spent 11 months restoring his 1950 Farmall FC; Kerikeri man David Zammit's British Leyland was named the best post-1970 tractor.
The best team was the Hooson family of Whangarei for their sunsmart-themed float. Eleven-year-old Kendal Wyatt-Logan, who pedalled a plastic John Deere around the parade route, won a special award.
The top title, most-loved tractor, went to Bob Mason's Kubota and a float called The Taupo Bay Bikers Gang. The award was a mark of gratitude for pulling countless stuck tractors out of the sand and Mr Mason's role as a "general all-round stalwart of the bay".