Muscle Car Show Offered Council Helping Hand

Wednesday, 3 September 2025, 2:19 pm
Article: David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

The organiser of an ‘‘iconic’’ Rangiora car show has welcomed news of the council providing $15,000 to help with its resource consent application. 

Muscle Car Madness has been held at the Rangiora Showgrounds in late January for the last 34 years.

The event's need for a resource consent was triggered by the adoption of the new Waimakariri District Plan in June, which is now partially operative. 

At a meeting on Tuesday [Sep 2], councillors unanimously approved funding of up to $15,000 to cover the cost of a noise report and planning advice to support the consent application for the car show.

Event organiser Craig Steere said the council has been supportive in the consent process. 

"For 34 years I haven't needed a resource consent, so everything is happening at once. 

"There's only ever a couple of noise complaints and we get great support from the town. 

"I'm very proud of it. It's become one of the top events of its kind in the country and it really has put Rangiora on the map." 

Council chief executive Jeff Millward said the event brings an economic benefit to the district, providing a boost to local businesses. 

‘‘We have people travelling from throughout New Zealand and overseas. It has become an iconic event. 

‘‘It will be a one off consent, which will last indefinitely. We will need to produce an noise report of the impacts of the noise on the surrounding properties and ways to mitigate that.’’ 

Under the District Plan, Mr Millward said provision was made for events to be held at the Rangiora Showgrounds, including the Muscle Car Madness event, as controlled activities. 

It means the consent ‘‘must be granted’’, but noted the application will trigger noise rules in the new District Plan, he said. 

Mayor Dan Gordon said meetings have already been held with the Muscle Car Madness organisers to discuss the consenting process. 

‘‘I’m a car lover and I do enjoy attending the event and all it brings. The drive-by on Thursday evenings which passes through the town centres is a good thing and we get to see the cars. 

‘‘I live nearby and I can hear it all weekend, but I don’t mind because it’s one weekend and I don’t want to see this event not occur. 

‘‘The District Plan lays out a pathway to get the consent, but we need to be aware of the cost.’’

Councillor Paul Williams questioned the need for a resource consent, when the event has been going for 34 years ‘‘and hasn’t caused any major issues’’. 

But Deputy Mayor Neville Atkinson said the resource consent process will help to ensure the long term future of the event. 

‘‘This is something positive. These people will have something to sell because they will have all the rules and protections in place. ‘‘Other councils already had these rules in their District Plan.’’ 

Councillor Tim Fulton said the consent will help the organisers to ‘‘meet the good neighbour test and I have no doubt they are already doing that.’’ 

This year’s Muscle Car Madness attracted around 8000 attendees, including 1400 camping at the showgrounds site.

-LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

© Scoop Media

Local Democracy Reporting

Content from the Local Democracy Reporting (LDR) service is published by Scoop as a registered New Zealand Media Outlet LDR Partner.