The Wheels at Wānaka Charitable Trust has announced donations of over $200,000 to community groups following the success of the fourth and final Wheels at Wānaka event.

Held over three days across Easter weekend, Wheels at Wānaka attracted more than 65,000 visitors and over 5,000 vehicles, which organisers said made it the largest all-vehicle show in Australasia. 

This year’s vehicle extravaganza contributed $30.3M to the local economy, organisers said - noting an impressive jump from the $19M the third Wheels at Wānaka contributed.

“This is exactly why the event was established - to bring people together and give back to the community that makes it all possible,” Wheels at Wānaka general manager Allan Dippie said.

The three-day vehicle extravaganza contributed $30.3M to the local economy, Wheels at Wānaka general manager Allan Dippie (pictured centre) said. PHOTO: Neil Kerr

Despite the curtains closing on Wheels at Wānaka, there’s more in the pipeline, Allan hinted.

“Although this was the final Wheels at Wānaka event, we’re committed to keeping the charitable trust active,” he said. 

“Our goal is to provide ongoing annual support for the community through future events and initiatives.

“We have both the drive and the capability to continue encouraging events that raise funds and support the people who make this region such a special place to live.”

$200,000 will go to community groups following the success of the final Wheels at Wānaka. PHOTO: Wheels at Wānaka 

The $200,000 raised this year will be distributed across 23 vehicle and machinery clubs, eight local clubs for volunteer services and 38 local community groups and organisations.

The donations will support a range of diverse initiatives, including vehicle clubs and vintage machinery preservation, youth development, health services, sports clubs, support organisations, environmental causes, and community resilience.

“We’ve reached out to a diverse range of recipients, with a particular focus on supporting local youth and the many community organisations that do incredible work - often with limited resources and challenging fundraising prospects,” Wheels at Wānaka event organiser Colleen Nisbet said.

Allan said raising the substantial sum to return to the community was an “incredible reflection of the hard work of our volunteers, the generosity of supporters, and the passion of vehicle enthusiasts across the country”.