27 Nov – 4 Dec 2026 · North Island, New Zealand
In 2026 the Ultimate Rally Group brings the NZ Silver Fern Rally to the North Island — from open, flowing gravel to technical, cost‑per‑corner heaven, with scenery and towns that spark stories for years.
Note: Registration, entry lists, and video links are offline while we build the new site.
Event Overview
Typically run in November every second year, Silver Fern features ~1,000 km of closed road special stages and ~1,800 km of touring. Preference is given to historic period‑perfect cars; the Historic Competition winner is recognised as the overall winner.
Your rally day starts early — breakfast, checks, warm‑up, road‑book review — then it’s flat‑out on iconic Kiwi gravel, with brief service windows for you and the car. Evenings are yours: wash down, repairs if needed, then plan tomorrow’s notes with your co‑driver.
Run with military precision, the marathon distance still leaves time for a yarn with fellow crews. Most importantly, you’ll finish with a grin you can only understand once you’ve been there.
2026 Route Snapshot
- Fri 27 Nov — Rotorua: Documentation
- Sat 28 Nov — Bay of Plenty: Iconic stages, overnight Rotorua
- Sun 29 Nov — Gisborne: East Coast run, overnight Gisborne
- Mon 30 Nov — Gisborne: Best of East Coast, overnight Gisborne
- Tue 1 Dec — Napier: South to Hawke’s Bay
- Wed 2 Dec — Palmerston North: Central gravel classics
- Thu 3 Dec — Ohakune: Rally stages from the past
- Fri 4 Dec — Rotorua: Final stages · Finish & Prize‑giving
Categories
Historic Competition
Period‑correct cars compete for overall honours.
Challenge Trophy
Built for fiercely‑contested class battles and bragging rights.
Classic 4WD
Iconic four‑wheel‑drive legends take to the marbles.
Silver Fern Time‑Trial
Same roads and camaraderie with a precision‑timed format.
Race4Life — Our Charity Partner
The Race4Life Trust fulfils wishes for palliative care patients across New Zealand, creating moments that connect families and communities. Since 2018, NZ Silver Fern Rally has proudly supported Race4Life through the Ultimate Rally Group — a partnership built on care, dedication, and joy on the road.
Contact
Interested in competing, volunteering, or supporting the event? Reach out and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Email: [email protected]
Phone (NZ): 0800 827 427
Phone (Intl): +64 9 298 8322
Note: These are displayed for information only. Links are intentionally disabled on this temporary page.