With nine hectares of space providing room for about 1500 trucks, the Mystery Creek Events Centre near Hamilton is the venue for New Zealand’s massive Kenworth 100 Years celebration early next year.

Southpac Trucks has announced the centenary event will place on Waitangi Weekend 2024 (Saturday February 3). It marks the global centenary of the Kenworth marque.

The Kenworth-only show will eclipse any single brand truck show ever staged in New Zealand – including the turnout of 301 Kenworths hosted by Southpac Trucks at Mt Maunganui’s Baypark venue in 2014.

“Kenworth owners are known to be passionate about the trucks they run. We want to bring them together in one place to celebrate the best of the brand by hosting this show,” says Southpac Trucks General Sales Manager, Richard Smart.

Even with the huge 9-hectare footprint set aside for the show at Mystery Creek, Richard says registrations will be essential. They will open during July via the Southpac Trucks website with updates also available on the Facebook page.

There will be prizes across a range of categories, and those bringing a truck will receive a special 100 Year commemorative pack on arrival.

Planning for the event began in early 2020 and initially it was to be held earlier this year. Those plans were put on hold during the Covid-19 travel restrictions and uncertainty of recent years.

“There has been so much enthusiasm for the concept of a 100-Year celebration that it was an easy decision to go ahead with the February 3 show, and a two-day lead up beforehand,” says Richard. 

Southpac says a commemorative range of flags, banners and merchandise will be available for purchase to mark the celebration.

The event aims to build on the success of the 50 Years of Kenworth in New Zealand show held at Baypark in 2014.

“Many will remember the stunning view of the brand new conventionals and cab-overs lined up when entering the gathering at Baypark,” says Richard.

“The scale of the 2024 venue means a line-up five times longer than this – half a kilometre of Kenworth grills in one row alone.”