The New Zealand Rally Championship will return to Southland and Hawke’s Bay in 2026 with confirmation of the 2026 calendar. MotorSport New Zealand has signed off on a six-round championship that sees the three North Island rounds/three South Island rounds split remain next year.
The championship will begin with the 50th running of the Otago Rally on April 10-12.
Round two is Rally Canterbury on King’s Birthday Weekend (May 31), while the third round of the championship will see teams head back to Invercargill for the Barry Robinson Memorial Rally Southland on July 18.
The rally will be run by the Eastern Southland Car Club.
After a shorter mid-season break, the championship will head back to Hawke’s Bay on August 22 for the first time since 2022.
It will be an emotional return after the floods of early 2023 damaged so many roads in the region and forced the championship to be held elsewhere in recent years.
International Rally of Whangarei moves forward on the calendar next year with a September 25-27 date confirmed. The championship will conclude at Rally Bay of Plenty on October 31.
Championship co-ordinator Blair Bartels was relieved to finally get dates locked in.
“It is always a challenge balancing the needs of each event, with council requirements, championship needs and doing what’s best for the competitor,” Bartels said.
“I am delighted to have this calendar confirmed.
“We know it will be an exciting challenge for competitors, with the different nuances of each event providing a unique test.
“I’d like to officially welcome Southland and Hawke’s Bay and their organising teams and thank all of our existing events. By the same breath, I’d like to thank the South Canterbury Car Club, who have been great supporters of the championship since 2018.”
2026 NZRC Calendar
- April 10-12: Otago Rally
- May 31: Rally of Canterbury
- July 18: Barry Robinson Memorial Southland
- August 22: Rally Hawkes Bay
- September 25-27: International Rally of Whangarei
- October 31: Rally Bay of Plenty
Header Image: Geoff Ridder
