Dapper Drive - Wairarapa

15/10/2026

We’ve made the international Distinguished Gentleman’s Drive page! 🎩🌍

The weather certainly gave us a challenge, but it also gave us some spectacular photographs and an extraordinary sense of camaraderie.

This lovely series by captures the spirit of the day beautifully – classic cars, determined drivers and even a fleeting appearance by the sun!

Proof that you don’t need perfect weather to have a memorable drive. ❤️🚗

It was a wet one in Wairarapa this year, but a little rain doesn't scare true gentlefolk away. With the convertible tops firmly in place, these drivers even managed to lure the sun to come out at one point.

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🌎 New Zealand, Wairarapa

15/10/2026

🎩🚗 What a fantastic acknowledgement from our wonderful sponsors at Brendan Foot Supersite!

160 cars registered, the 5th largest Distinguished Gentleman’s Drive in the world, and almost NZ$17,000 raised for Movember through 299 donations!

🥇 Number 1 in New Zealand for fundraising!

We’re immensely proud of what our Wairarapa community has achieved together, particularly given the challenging weather on the day!

A huge thank you to Brendan Foot Supersite for their generous support and to every driver, donor, sponsor and volunteer who helped make this possible.

What an extraordinary community. Here’s to 2027! ❤️👏

The White Swan

02/10/2026

We love this. A magnificent moustache, a very important cause, and exactly the right amount of nonsense. Great to see one of our DGD Wairarapa prize sponsors continuing to get behind Movember and men’s health.

Offering beautiful hand built English Pashley Bicycles and now e-Pashley options, Blackwell and Sons in Greytown, New Zealand, has been described as the most beautiful cycling lifestyle emporium in the world. Be our guest in person or visit us online for our curated selection of sustainable, high qu...

29/09/2026

A huge thank you to our wonderful volunteers. From welcoming everyone in Greytown to keeping things moving in Masterton, you gave your time, care and good humour—even in truly awful weather.

And a special shout-out to our intrepid photographers who braved the conditions to capture the people and moments that made the day.

We couldn’t have done it without you. 🧡

28/09/2026

WHAT A DRIVE.

The weather threw just about everything at us — one of our photographers described the conditions as “just about the worst I’ve ever seen” — but somehow that only made the day more memorable.

An extraordinary collection of cars. Incredible style. Laughter, friendships, conversations and a remarkable Wairarapa community that simply got on with it.

And most importantly, together we have raised more than $16,000 for men’s health — supporting vital work in prostate cancer and men’s mental health.

We have been overwhelmed by the messages and wonderful feedback since Sunday. Thank you to every driver and passenger who joined us on the day, to those who registered and supported the Drive but weren’t able to make it, and to every volunteer, photographer, sponsor, supporter and donor who helped make the Distinguished Gentleman’s Drive Wairarapa 2026 what it was.

The cars brought us together.
The people made it.
The conversations mattered.
And we drove for something that matters.

THANK YOU FOR MAKING IT MATTER.

28/09/2026

27/09/2026

CLASSIC CARS. WAIRARAPA ROADS. ONE VERY DAPPER SUNDAY.

What a day.

The weather may have tested us, but it certainly didn’t dampen the spirit of the Distinguished Gentleman’s Drive Wairarapa 2026.

To everyone who brought out a beautiful car, dressed for the occasion, joined us for the Drive, donated, supported us or simply waved as we went by — thank you.

A very special thank you to our wonderful sponsors and extraordinary volunteers. An event like this simply doesn’t happen without the people who give their time, energy and support so generously, and we are enormously grateful to you all.

And then there are the photographs. This is just the beginning of the images coming in, and they are already rather fabulous. Huge thanks to Mark Chivers, Roger Smith and Robert Brienza, whose photographs feature in this reel, and to all of our photographers who gave their time and talent to capture the day. There is much more to come.

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR — SUNDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 2027.

27/09/2026

What a day, Wairarapa!

To the intrepid and adventurous people who turned up for The Distinguished Gentleman’s Drive today: you were magnificent.

The weather could barely have been worse. We had horizontal wind, windblown debris, rain and more rain, followed by a cold southerly. Even the Moon Man had his first big forecasting fail for one of our events! On the first leg, we passed the Carterton Fire Brigade attending to a lifted roof, and saw fallen trees and plenty of water.

Yet through it all, there was such a buzz. People spoke about the positive energy and how welcoming and inclusive the Drive felt. That means a great deal to us. And a special salute to Dennis Burns, who tackled that cold southerly in what was the most ventilated vehicle on the Drive!

Our volunteers were fabulous, from the cheerful welcome at registration to their outstanding efforts parking cars in the rain. It might have been the most orderly parking we’ve ever seen. Our dedicated photographers went above and beyond, too. We can’t wait to see their pictures—and we’re still thinking about the photographer lying in long, wet grass, looking rather like a sniper, to get the shot.

The gathering back at The White Swan was a wonderful finish. As we said at prize-giving, this really felt like a community effort. Thank you to every driver, passenger, volunteer, photographer, donor and supporter - and a shout out to our Tail End Charlie, Willie James. Thank you to our generous sponsors: Brendan Foot Supersite, Lamb Peters Print, The White Swan, Designer Clothing Gallery, Blackwell and Sons, and Mrs Blackwell’s Bookshop. And thank you to Movember for sharing Alex with us and for the merch.

At last check, we had raised NZ$15,844 through 286 donations for men’s health. There’s still time to donate and help that total climb. Find the donation link here: https://linktr.ee/DGD_Wairarapa

What a day. What a community. Thank you all. ❤️🏁

25/09/2026

A lovely bit of motoring history from British & European Car Day: Paul Fahey’s journey from racing motorcycles to his famous Mustang feels particularly fitting for the Distinguished Gentleman’s Drive.

Tomorrow, Greytown and Masterton will be full of remarkable cars and people, all coming together in support of Movember and men’s health. Thank you to British & European Car Day for sharing our Drive!

Come and see the cars at The White Swan, Greytown, from 9.30 am before they depart at 10.45 am; at Farriers in Masterton around midday; or back at The White Swan from approximately 3.30 pm.

Discover a few new facts.

The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride began in 2012 for classic and vintage motorcycles, with the four-wheeled Distinguished Gentleman’s Drive following in 2021.

And there’s a nice connection with the car featured here.

New Zealand motor-racing legend Paul Fahey, pictured racing his famous Mustang, actually began his career on two wheels. He won motorcycle races both here and overseas and even competed at the Isle of Man TT before going on to become one of New Zealand’s best-known saloon-car racers.

From two wheels to four — all rather appropriate for the Distinguished Gentleman’s Drive.

See the cars and entrants.
Sunday
White Swan 9am - 10am
White Swan 3.30pm

Farriers Bar & Eatery Masterton 12pm - 2pm

Dapper Drive - Wairarapa

23/09/2026

150 DRIVERS. WAIRARAPA IS FULL! 🎩🚗

We’ve reached our registration limit for Sunday’s Distinguished Gentleman’s Drive! Thank you to everyone bringing a car, volunteering, sponsoring or cheering us on.

Now let’s make those 150 registrations count. We’re raising funds and awareness for men’s mental health and prostate cancer research, and we’d love your support.

Donate here: https://linktr.ee/DGD_Wairarapa

We’re also having a quiet word with the weather gods about Sunday’s forecast. ☀️

Image: K Miller