‘The Ultimate Gravel Rally’
NZ Silver Fern Rally
From Rotorua to the East Coast, Hawke’s Bay, the Central Plateau and back again — 1,054 km of special stages through spectacular North Island scenery, harking back to the iconic route of the 1970’s where the likes of Ari Vatanen and Walter Röhrl created history.
2026 Route
2026 Route — North Island Showcase
Technical, flowing, and wildly scenic. Cost-per-corner heaven.
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1
Fri 27 Nov
Rotorua
Documentation in the geothermal heart of Aotearoa.
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2
Sat 28 Nov
Rotorua Loop
Iconic gravel stages; fast, flowing coastal hinterland.
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3
Sun 29 Nov
Rotorua Loop
Iconic gravel stages; Waitomo regional iconic roads.
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4
Mon 30 Nov
Rotorua ➝ Gisborne
To the first city to see the sun — dramatic east coast vista.
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5
Tue 1 Dec
Gisborne ➝ Napier
Classic Hawke’s Bay gravel and art-deco hospitality.
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6
Wed 2 Dec
Napier ➝ Palmerston North
Central region gems; technical and rewarding.
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7
Thu 3 Dec
Palmerston North ➝ Ohakune
Ski-town finish via legendary stages of old.
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8
Fri 4 Dec
Ohakune ➝ Rotorua (Finish)
Final special stages and prize-giving in Rotorua.
Where is Rotorua?
Rotorua sits in New Zealand’s North Island, around three hours south of Auckland. It’s the geothermal heart of Aotearoa and the start and finish point for the 2026 Silver Fern Rally.
Use the map to get your bearings — especially handy if you’re planning flights, shipping, or a North Island road trip around the rally.
Choose Your Challenge
Five ways to tackle New Zealand’s most scenic gravel marathon.
Historic Competition (Pre-1987 2WD)
Period-perfect pre-1987 heroes: Escorts, AE86s, Starlets, RX-series, E30s, 911s — and more. The overall winner is crowned from this field.
- Classes A–D by capacity (true cc; overbore 1.5 mm; Forced Induction ×1.7; Rotary ×1.8)
- FIA Historic status or MSNZ CoD (or equivalent)
Challenge Trophy (Modern 2WD)
The same epic route and competition format in a more accessible modern 2WD build.
- Classes E–H by capacity (true cc; overbore 1.5 mm; Forced Induction ×1.7; Rotary ×1.8)
- Cost-effective path to the Silver Fern experience
Classic 4WD (Pre-1996)
Audi, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Toyota era — early 4WD icons (no fire-breathing WRCs). Forced Induction cars require a 36 mm restrictor. Includes Class I H6 Specification & Class J Pre 96 Specification.
Silver Fern Time-Trial
‘The World’s Longest Precision Driving Test’ — average-speed targets, RallySafe monitoring, and a 130 kph cap. Big experience, big value.
Silver Frond
A new way to experience the 2026 Silver Fern route. Final format and eligibility details will be confirmed in the Event Regulations.
- Class K. For all two-wheel drive vehicles with AASA safety regulations.
- Class L. For four-wheel drive vehicles compliant with the 2026 NZ Silver Fern Technical Regulations.
International competitors are a huge part of the Silver Fern story. Whether you’re shipping a Historic Escort from the UK or a modern 2WD from Australia, we can connect you with trusted shipping partners and help you choose the right division.
International competitors info · Read the FAQ · View all classes
Required Safety Equipment
Full lists will be confirmed in the published Event Regulations.
Competition (Historic / Challenge / Classic 4WD / Silver Frond)
Core requirements include:
- Certified Roll Cage, FIA Seats & Belts
- Helmet w/ head restraint posts & HANS/Simpson
- FIA fire-retardant suit, underwear, balaclava, boots & gloves (driver)
- Extinguisher, 2× safety triangles, first aid kit
- Tow rope, RallySafe wiring kit, window breaker/belt cutter
Time-Trial
Lower barrier to entry:
- Helmets
- Fire extinguisher
- Safety triangle & first aid kit
- RallySafe wiring kit & tow rope
- Intercom strongly recommended
Monitoring
All divisions use RallySafe GPS for accuracy and safety.
- Speed compliance (TT max 130 kph)
- Stage timing and tracking
Scrutineering
Detailed checks occur before competition, with spot-checks during the event.
Questions or keen to volunteer?
We’d love to hear from you. [email protected] · 0800 827 427 · +64 9 298 8322
Contact us