Car enthusiasts rejoice! Tauranga Auto Extravaganza returns to Classic Flyers, Mount Maunganui, on March 2, hoping to raise money for Hato Hone St John.

“There will be all sorts of vehicles, vintage cars, modern cars, and classic army trucks,” organiser Neville McKay said.

Vehicles are expected from as far away as Auckland and Hastings.

“We have a special race car coming and mini hot rods for the kids,” he said.

All proceeds from the event will go to Hato Hone St John, and McKay said they hope to raise enough money for an ambulance.

Keith Sawyer and Neville McKay organisers of the Tauranga Auto Extravaganza. Photo / Tom Eley

This year’s Auto Extravaganza is the fifth that McKay has held in Tauranga with business partner Keith Sawyer.

The money raised will be used locally and stay in the Tauranga community, St John area committee chairman and district youth manager Vaughn Cory said.

“St John has a variety of other units involved, such as youth, friends, the emergency department, care and callers, the op shop, and other things. So this money gets spread around the whole organisation.”

He said the charity gets a lot of support from the Government to help fund emergency services and ambulances, but only partially.

McKay and Sawyer hope the 2025 event draws in more than the 2500 visitors last year.

They are combining the extravaganza with All Ford Day, alongside Barry Gordon, with plenty of car-related goodies to be given away in raffles and auctions.

The event is 10am-2pm on Sunday, March 2 at Classic Flyers, Mount Maunganui. Entry is $5 per adult and under-14s with school ID will gain free entry.

Exhibitors can arrive from 8am and have their vehicles set up for display by 9.30am, McKay said.