One of the things I noticed after returning from my recent trip to Canada was how much older the cars are here. The average age of New Zealand’s vehicle fleet is about 15 years. More than 40% are imported used cars, mostly from Japan. There’s a culture of repairing and keeping vehicles for longer. A mild climate with relatively little road salt compared with Canada helps.
Vehicle ownership in New Zealand is high by international standards, reflecting a dispersed population and limited public transport outside major cities. For a small country, New Zealand has a surprising number of model-specific clubs. Historically, New Zealand imported large numbers of British vehicles. Many of them are still on the road, and the strength of the British tradition is a distinctive feature of older-car clubs. Other community-based groups have formed around Japanese models and American classics. These clubs organise meet-ups and trips, and their classic cars are often seen at A&P Shows and country fairs.
A string of Morris Minors, MGs, or Holdens passing through an intersection in town is a sure sign that a classic car club is on a road trip or meeting for an event. It’s not unusual to find dozens of Volkswagen Beetles, Minis, or Triumphs all parked in the Octagon in the centre of Dunedin. The owners admire one another’s cars and exchange technical details, while tourists and locals photograph their favourite models. This club-based, community-oriented enthusiasm is one of the most distinctive aspects of Kiwi car culture.
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