‘The World’s Best Marathon Gravel Rally’
27th Nov - 4th Dec 2026
In 2026 the Ultimate Rally Group will be bringing the NZ Silver Fern Rally to the North Island of New Zealand. So from the South Island’s open, fast gravel roads, to the more technical North Islands. If its cost-per-corner you are after, the North Island of New Zealand certainly brings that -Still with some fast, flowing roads, reminiscent of the South.
The scenery, and the towns that the 2026 route will be travelling through, servicing, and over-nighting, will give visitors to the event food for discussion for years to come. -Ensuring we keep with our tradition of delivering ‘The World’s Best Marathon Gravel Rally’.
2026 will see us starting in the Geothermal town of Rotorua, with Documentation on Friday 27th November. The morning of the 28th sees the rally move out around the scenic Bay of Plenty, capturing the most iconic stages that area has to offer. We overnight again in Rotorua, then Sunday 29th takes the rally over to Gisborne (the first town in New Zealand to see the sun each day). We overnight in Gisborne , with the Monday taking us around the best roads the East Cost has to offer, then back to Gisborne for another night. Tuesday 1st December will have us heading South, and taking in great special-stage roads on out way down to Napier for the night. Wednesday 2nd December, and it’s off through the gravel special-stage path through to Palmerston North for the night. In keeping with the great central region gravel roads, we then travel to the Ski-Town of Ohakune, via some rally stages from the past, for an overnight. The final day of Friday 4th December will complete our Marathon Rally, with special-stages taking us back into Rotorua for the Finish, and the prize-giving.
In simple terms: 1054.1km of Special-Stages, and 1648.74km of Touring (632.5 Miles of Special Stage & 989.1 Miles of Touring)
‘The World’s Best Marathon Gravel Rally’
Typically run in November every second year, with 1,000 kilometres or 600 Miles of closed road special stages, with 1,800km of touring between stages.
There is a Competition for all types of cars, but preference is given to historic period perfect cars. These cars compete in the Historic Competition, and the winner of this Competition will be recognised as the overall winner.
The day starts bright and early each day. Expect to be up and ready while the sun is still coming up, charge the body with breakfast, and conduct you own pre-race rituals. A quick inspection over the trusty steed, warm up the engine, review the road-book, and take your place at the starting line. The day is packed with touring, rallying, fuelling (both the trusty steed, and yourself), and banter with the other competitors and crews.
The New Zealand Silver Fern Rally, like all Ultimate Rally Group events, is run with military precision -and it needs to be. You’ll spend every moment either throwing stones or touring, with just a few fleeting minutes to catch your breath, and have a yarn between the iconic New Zealand stages.
After crossing the final stage, you’ll head to a community car wash to clean your machine, then make your way to Parc Ferme. If your service crew wasn’t able to take care of any necessary repairs during the service stops, this is your chance to address them. If your car is good to go—tires rotated, brakes checked, fluids topped up, and windows sparkling—then it’s time to prep for tomorrow. With no formal evening events on most competition nights, the responsibility to plan your next move falls on you. We recommend taking time with your co-driver to review the upcoming stages and decide on the language you’ll use to communicate critical corners and approaches.
But don’t worry—you won’t be alone. There’s always someone willing to lend advice, share a meal, or join you for a drink after a full day of rallying. Your schedule will be quite busy, in order to get through the marathon of stage distance, but there is always time for a laugh and a yarn. When it’s all over, you’ll walk away a with a smile that cannot be described until you have been there yourself.
As past competitors have said “the New Zealand Silver Fern Rally is the World’s Best Marathon Gravel Rally!”
We Support…
The Race4Life Trust exemplifies a profound commitment to enhancing the quality of life for Palliative Care Patients across New Zealand. By fulfilling the wishes of these individuals, the Trust not only improves their wellbeing but also positively impacts the lives of their families and the broader community. Each fulfilled wish fosters connections among people, creates lasting memories, and has the power to transform communities.
Since 2018, NZ Silver Fern Rally has proudly partnered with Race4Life through the Ultimate Rally Group (URG). This collaboration has been marked by dedication, hard work, and a spirit of enjoyment as we traverse the picturesque roads of rural New Zealand. The synergy between Race4Life’s mission and our passion for motorsport creates an ideal partnership—one that we are excited to nurture and expand in the years to come. Together, we continue to invoke joy and make a meaningful difference, united by the shared goal of uplifting those in need.
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