Wheels at Wanaka 2025: A Massive Celebration of Kiwi Transport & Machinery Heritage

Set against the stunning backdrop of Central Otago, Wheels at Wanaka 2025 once again delivered one of New Zealand’s biggest celebrations of transport, machinery, horsepower, and heritage. Thousands of enthusiasts, families, operators, and industry icons descended on Wanaka for a two-day showcase featuring everything from classic tractors and earthmovers to modern line-haul rigs from across the country.

For Southpac Trucks, it was an incredible opportunity to stand alongside the passionate operators, drivers, and collectors who live and breathe machinery culture.

A Festival of Wheels Like No Other

Spread across a sprawling events area, Wheels at Wanaka brought together every corner of the transport and machinery world. Visitors were treated to an ever-moving spectacle of:

Heavy trucks and line-haul heroes
Vintage and classic machinery
Agricultural equipment and tractors
Construction, civil, and earthmoving gear
Military vehicles and service equipment
Historic motorsport and display machines

The festival atmosphere was electric, with engines rumbling, dust kicking up, and crowds gathering for demonstrations that ran throughout both days.

Kenworth & Southpac Trucks Front and Centre

One of the standout attractions this year was the impressive line-up of Kenworth trucks—from modern workhorses to beautifully restored classics representing decades of New Zealand transport history.

Our Southpac Trucks team was proud to support and exhibit at the show, connecting with operators and showcasing key models including:

Kenworth K220 – the new benchmark for driver comfort and innovation
Kenworth T610, T659, and T909 – Kiwi favourites built for the toughest work
Historic Kenworths maintained by passionate owners across the country

Fans of the brand were treated to walk-arounds, tech insights, build stories, and the chance to connect with other Kenworth owners who proudly carry the legacy on their shoulders.

Live Action, Demonstrations & Machinery Displays

Wheels at Wanaka is known for its non-stop action, and 2025 was no exception. Crowds surrounded the demonstration areas to watch:

Earthmovers carving through live dirt displays
Vintage machinery showing how it was done “back in the day”
Truck parades featuring machines from every era
Heavy rigs demonstrating power, articulation, and control
Construction demos showing off new tech and precision operations

For many visitors, it was the scale of the machinery—often seen only on remote job sites—that made the event unforgettable.

A Showcase of Kiwi Ingenuity & Pride

Beyond the noise and horsepower, what makes Wheels at Wanaka truly special is the community behind it. Owners and operators invest countless hours restoring, maintaining, and displaying their machines—not just as tools of the trade, but as pieces of New Zealand’s transport story.

Displays across the event highlighted:

Multi-generation family transport legacies
Restored machines with decades of work behind them
New technologies shaping the future of the industry
Custom rigs showcasing Kiwi craftsmanship

It’s a rare blend of heritage, innovation, and passion that brings people back year after year.

A Big Weekend for the Southpac Community

Throughout the event, the Southpac Trucks team connected with hundreds of customers, drivers, enthusiasts, and industry partners. From discussing fleet solutions to admiring customised rigs, the show reinforced the strong community that drives transport in New Zealand.

Whether it was chatting over a truck bonnet, exploring what’s new in trucking tech, or sharing stories of tough jobs across the country, Wheels at Wanaka proved once again that the heart of the transport industry lies with the people who live it every day.

See You at the Next Show

Wheels at Wanaka 2025 was a phenomenal tribute to the machines that built New Zealand — and the people who keep them moving.

Southpac Trucks is proud to support events that celebrate our industry, our heritage, and the future of transport.

We’ll see you at the next event — and out on the road.

2025 Wheels At Wanaka