International Competitors: Plan Your Targa New Zealand
Celebrate The Ultimate Road Race on world-class New Zealand tarmac. Closed-road stages, big scenery, legendary camaraderie — and end-to-end help shipping your car.
Why Targa New Zealand?
This year we celebrate The Ultimate Road Race by combining the best roads selected from 30 years of events. Expect ~900 km of special closed-road stages and ~1000 km of touring over five days — a perfect opportunity to discover how much fun you can have on NZ tarmac.
- Start in Pukekohe, travel via Rotorua, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, finish in Hawke’s Bay.
- Run like clockwork: early starts, multiple stages, short service stops, included lunches, and tight operations.
- No pace notes: a purer test of driver + navigator; typically lower wear and tear.
New Zealand Roads: Tarmac Heaven
New Zealand’s North Island delivers a dream combo for tarmac rallying: grippy chip-seal, flowing sweepers, technical switchbacks, and elevation changes that keep drivers and navigators fully engaged. Stages weave through forests, rolling farmland and coastal hills — fast where it’s safe, demanding where it counts.
Choose Your Targa Format
Targa Competition
The full competition experience in your own car (or rent one of ours). Gorgeous, technically challenging Kiwi roads, testing both driver capability and service-crew tenacity.
Learn moreRetro Targa
Minimum stage times with points allocation — a hybrid of time trial and rally designed to get older vehicles back on stage with reduced risk.
Learn moreTarga Tour
Enjoy the same stunning closed roads in non-competition vehicles, coached by world-class instructors — with great food and hospitality along the way.
Learn moreTarga Time Trial
Precision driving for NZ road-registered cars (often 30+ years). Maintain an average speed through closed stages — this is not a speed event.
Learn moreShipping Your Car to New Zealand
Targa NZ has supported international competitors with shipping for 20+ years. Our preferred motorsport specialist is G-Force Logistics (Phil Gibbs) — door-to-door from anywhere, with all paperwork handled.
G-Force Logistics
Preferred shipping agent for motorsport vehicles
Include G-4orce Logistics as an Authorized Party on Carnets for NZ Customs clearance.
Option A — ATA/C.D.P. Carnet
- Straightforward temporary import of car + parts; setup costs and bond at origin apply.
- Consumables cannot be on Carnet (oils, cleaners, washer fluid). List on a separate Packing List with values — GST/duty applies and is not refundable.
- Tyres on rims (unfitted) may be listed, but must leave NZ with the car (keep used tyres).
- Required if the car will ship onward to certain countries before final return — confirm with your issuing authority.
- Allows easiest on-road use in NZ (skips temporary reg/WOF for road-registerable vehicles).
Option B — T.I.E (Temporary Import Entry)
- Cost-effective alternative to a Carnet. Provide a signed declaration: event name, dates/timeframe, owner details, origin address, car make/model/year, chassis/engine no., value, and list of spares with values.
- Consumables must be on a separate Packing List with values; GST/duty applies and is not refundable.
- With NZ guarantor (GST-registered, deferred GST account): GST is held (not paid) and only payable if the vehicle/parts don’t export on time.
- No local guarantor: Import GST is paid then refunded post-export (typically 6–8 weeks).
- Shipping NZ → Australia after: NZ T.I.E still possible, but Australia requires a pre-approved Import Permit (apply before the car leaves NZ).
T.I.E imports affect temporary Registration and WOF. For guidance, contact the Targa Office: +64 9 298 8322 · [email protected]
A Day in the Life at Targa
Expect a 6:00 am start: breakfast, pre-race checks, warm-up, road book review. Your morning and afternoon alternate between competition/tour stages with 1–2 service stops, plus an included lunch for driver and co-driver. Evenings are for car prep, debrief and planning tomorrow’s stages.
Complete Targa NZ and you’ll never look at driving the same way again. It’s intense, friendly, and unforgettable — for you, your crew, and your supporters.
What makes Targa NZ special
- More closed-road km per day vs. typical events
- Stunning, varied tarmac — less transit, more grins
- Legendary paddock culture and support
Ready when you are
Whether you’re shipping a classic, a GT car or a dedicated competition build, we can help you arrive prepared and compliant — and make the most of your time in NZ.
Start your EOITalk to a human
International Entrant FAQs
Do I need an ATA/AA Carnet?
Carnets are straightforward and often preferred, especially if your car will ship onward to other countries before returning home. Remember: list GT International Logistics as an Authorized Party, and keep consumables off the Carnet.
What about consumables (oils, cleaners, fluids)?
Consumables must be on a separate Packing List with values. They will attract GST (and possibly duty) in NZ and are not refundable after re-export.
Can tyres be included?
Tyres on rims and unfitted can be on a Carnet but must leave NZ with the car (retain used tyres, even if worn out).
How does a T.I.E. (Temporary Import Entry) work?
Provide a signed declaration with event dates/timeframe, owner details, origin address, car details, values, and spares list. With a NZ GST-registered guarantor, GST is held (not paid) unless the vehicle overstays; without a guarantor, GST is paid then refunded post-export.
Shipping NZ → Australia afterward?
NZ T.I.E is fine, but Australia requires a pre-approved Import Permit before the car leaves NZ. Apply in advance.
Scenes from the Stages
Bring your car. We’ll help with the rest.
Submit your Expression of Interest and we’ll guide you through shipping, paperwork and class selection.