Think fashion, think racing, think impact.

The Melbourne Cup Long Lunch, proudly presented in collaboration with Property Brokers, is set to make its highly anticipated return on Tuesday, 4 November 2025, at Awapuni Racecourse.

Following the resounding success of the 2022 and 2023 events - which collectively raised an incredible $95,000 for the Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter - this year’s Long Lunch promises to be bigger, bolder, and more impactful than ever. With each mission costing around $9,500, those funds have helped deliver approximately 10 life-saving flights, ensuring emergency medical care reaches those in urgent need across the Manawatū and Whanganui regions.

This vital service exists for one reason: to make sure no one suffers or dies because help couldn’t reach them in time.

Which will be emphasised by a former patient guest speaker at the event, who is set to share with you their incredibly personal and powerful story of how the Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter saved their life.

Therefore, while this Melbourne Cup Long Lunch is a celebration of racing, it’s also so much more - a powerful gathering of community, generosity, and purpose. Local businesses from across the Manawatū will come together to support this life-saving cause and enjoy elegant food and beverages, live Melbourne Cup racing, silent and live auctions, live entertainment and great company. Guests will have the chance to bid on a range of unique and exciting items, including:

• Two night stay at the private resort, The Lazy Fish
• Fly Fishing Experience with Altitude Fishing
• Unforgettable rides in a police car or fire engine home from school
• And many more surprises

Whether you're a racing enthusiast, a fashion lover, or a business looking to make a meaningful impact - this is the event of the season. Rally your team, book your table of eight, and be part of something extraordinary. Tables of eight are $1,500 - that’s just $190 per person.

To purchase, contact: manawatuevents@pb.co.nz

Can’t attend? You can still make a difference.

We’re calling on generous hearts to support the event by providing auction items, spot prizes, event sponsorship, and the opportunity to bid on amazing items online - both before and during the event!

Your contribution will directly support the life-saving work of the Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter and help make the Long Lunch truly memorable.

Notes:

Philips Search & Rescue Trust (PSRT) is the charity responsible for fundraising and promotion of the North Island’s largest pool of community rescue helicopters.

PSRT was founded in 1985 after an endowment by Philips New Zealand Limited to mark a light aircraft accident near Turangi in which two Philips personnel lost their lives.

Encompassing a fleet of rescue helicopters, the service provides air health and rescue services free of charge to the public on a no-fault basis. The rapid response is powered by an expert crew of Pilots, Air Crew Officers and Critical Care Flight Paramedics.

In a life and death situation it is this speed and agility of the rescue helicopter that can make all the difference, with patients able to receive medical treatment as soon as the rescue helicopter arrives and continuing whilst en route to a medical facility.

Philips Search & Rescue Trust fundraise for and support:

Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter, Waikato, King Country, Coromandel Aerocool Rescue Helicopter, Bay of Plenty Coastal Region

Greenlea Rescue Helicopter, Central Plateau and Lake’s Region

Grassroots Trust Rescue Helicopter, Manawatu, Whanganui

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