The first Sunday of Level 2 saw hot rodders around New Zealand blowing out the cobwebs after weeks of lock-down for the first ever Great Kiwi Rolling Rod Show.
The idea was born right here in Te Awamutu — developed by Te Awamutu Rod and Custom Club committee member, and Te Awamutu Courier editor, Dean Taylor.
A nice pair of '32s arriving for the start of Te Awamutu's Great Kiwi Rolling Rod Show. Photo / Dean Taylor
"I thought it would be a great way for rodders to engage in their hobby and bring a hot rod 'show 'n' shine' to their communities and generate good publicity for the hobby and bring smiles to the faces of the public.
During Level 4 the concept was cleared with the Government's Covid-19 response team as a permitted event under Level 2.
Te Awamutu Great Kiwi Rolling Rod Show soon went downhill. Photo / Lindie Smith
So with short notice the word was sent around New Zealand hot rod clubs via the New Zealand Hot Rod Association — and it seems plenty of clubs took up the challenge.
Looking back on the Te Awamutu Great Kiwi Rolling Rod Show. Photo / Winki Watters
Te Awamutu's run started at Repco at noon and finished in Pirongia two hours later. It attracted between 60 and 70 cars — exceeding our expectations.
Club president Murray Peterson says there was a great turnout of local members, plus guests and rodder friends from around the waikato and King Country joined in.
He says it was great to see the public on the streets and enjoying the rolling show and everyone involved in the event had a great time as well.
Te Awamutu's run concluded at Pirongia. Photo / Dean Taylor
Te Awamutu's run concluded at Pirongia. Photo / Dean Taylor
"Te Awamutu Club will consider making a show like this into an annual event."
Te Awamutu's run concluded at Pirongia. Photo / Dean Taylor
Members of the Egmont Rod and Custom Club celebrated Level 2 in style and gained good publicity from one of our sister community papers — the Stratford Press.
Lloyd Darrah, treasurer of the Egmont Rod and Custom Club, says over 30 members took their cars for a cruise through Stratford on Sunday as part of the nationwide Great Kiwi Rolling Rod Show.
Egmont club cruising down Broadway past Stratford's famous Glockenspiel. Photo / Ilona Hanne
"In total there were about 35 cars involved. A few extras turned up and joined in. It was a great afternoon out and I was really pleased to see how many people came out to watch as well."
Egmont Rod & Custom Club cruising in style for the Great Kiwi Rolling Rod Show. Photo / Ilona Hanne
Checking Facebook pages and the NZ Hot Rod Association links, it seems other clubs to take part included Whangarei Rod and Custom Club, Stragglers Cambridge, North Canterbury Rodders, Whitestone Rodders, Kustom Car Club, Street Machines Southland, Dargaville Rod and Custom Club and Tornado Rod and Custom Club.
Dean says he also got enquiries from Hibiscus Coast and Pukekohe, so the cruise took in the length of the country.
Te Awamutu's run concluded at Pirongia. Photo / Dean Taylor
To see more photos and videos of The Great Kiwi Rolling Rod Show check out the NZHRA Facebook page.
