Spectators 

:: Follow the rally and see the stars :: 

SPECTATOR MAPS
FIND WHERE THE ACTION IS EACH DAY

Download the maps for the two days of action on the stages around Whangarei, Dargaville & Ruawai.

International Rally of Whangarei
DOWNLOAD THE FULL SPECTATOR MAP (PDF 2MB - updated 02.05.2026)

DOWNLOAD THE DETAILED SPECTATOR STAGE MAPS

The stage maps are .jpg images so when you open them, you can save them into your photos on your phone for easy access when you are out of coverage on the stages.

IROW26 – DAY ONE

SPECIAL STAGE ONE | A fast stage running away from the rising sun. A nice balance of fast and medium flowing corners. A good blast to ensure the coffee has woken you up. Off to Dargaville now for some fuel… or maybe another coffee.

STAGE ONE STAGE MAP (1.8MB)

SS

SPECIAL STAGES TWO & THREE |  Starts out with the some very fast straights to get the heart rate up. Watch the 6L>5L past Nichols Rd, it caught a few in previous years. From there on in it’s a fabulous smooth gravel road that is medium to fast with a hard base. Could be some dust in the trees towards the end. Second pass – can you knock 5-10secs off the first run?

STAGE TWO & THREE STAGE MAP (1.8MB)

SS

SPECIAL STAGES FOUR & SIX |  Starts fast the first RH junction with Access Road, make sure you get some air over the bridge as the livestream will be here. A fast blast up Access Road and then it’s a LH turn onto the infamous Oparakau Road. Now it’s time to bring back the mid-2000’s memories as the sweeping cambered corners get the heart rate up all the way to finish just before SH12 – you are going to be looking forward to the second pass.

STAGE FOUR & SIX STAGE MAP (1MB)

SS

SPECIAL STAGES FIVE & SEVEN | Enjoy parts of previous WRC stages, medium to fast packed gravel roads. A couple of slumps in the road and narrow bridges. Fast, undulating roads to finish.

STAGE FIVE & SEVEN STAGE MAP (1.8MB)

SS

SPECIAL STAGE EIGHT |  A nice way to leave the Kaipara District and go back to Whangarei. A typically fast and flowing stage, but don’t be complacent as there are some tighter corners thrown in to make sure you are listening (or watching if you are driving blind). Off to Pohe Island now.

STAGE EIGHT STAGE MAP (1.8MB)

SS

IROW26 – DAY TWO

SPECIAL STAGE ELEVEN & FIFTEEN |  This will really wake you up. Don’t take the short distance to be its not to be taken seriously, as this road has claimed some big names over the years in both Rallies and Rallysprints. This stage has it all, crests, big dips and one wickedly good junction, then it’s a fast run with BIG commitment to the end of the stage over some amazing cresty corners. Just make sure to watch out for Emma’s corner, keep tucked in.

STAGE ELEVEN & FIFTEEN STAGE MAP (1.6MB)

SS

SPECIAL STAGE TWELVE & SIXTEEN |  Starts on a fast straight but watch the 4L over the crest. As Dave Holder and particularly Rob Scott knows, “it hurts your manhood” when you arrive at pace. Then it’s a left turn and you are off on a roller-coaster of junctions as you loop back around to the refuel. This is a great stage to really have a go as there isn’t much to catch you out. Good luck

STAGE TWELVE & SIXTEEN STAGE MAP (1.8MB)

SS

SPECIAL STAGE THIRTEEN & SEVENTEEN |  Back to it after the refuel, how’s the concentration going? A fast little stage that’s on a nice hard-packed gravel base, but skinny in places so watch your car placement. You will love the run through the stage, and the stage finishes on another famous road, Mititai. Next…. OMG IT’S BULL ROAD!!!

STAGE THIRTEEN & SEVENTEEN STAGE MAP (1.8MB)

SS

SPECIAL STAGE FOURTEEN & EIGHTEEN |  This is it… the roller coaster and possibly my favourite road of the event. Bull Road is steeped in WRC history and is a wickedly good road. Some huge camber in places as winds its way south. Just watch the entry to the one-lane bridges, as Thierry Neuville found out, they hurt. Turning tight left onto Arcadia Road (have a thought for Brooklyn and Tyson) as you sweep through the junction, you will run now up a well-used WRC / IROW road to Central Road which then runs along the ridgeline to the finish. What a way to finish your 2026 International Rally of Whangarei adventure.

STAGE FOURTEEN & EIGHTEEN STAGE MAP (1.5MB)

SS

SPECTATING SAFELY
GUIDES TO HELP YOU

Spectating at a rally is different to many other sporting events. There is a lot involved and some good planning can make it a really enjoyable experience.

HOW TO SPECTATE SAFELY
NO GO AREAS ON A STAGE
SPECTATOR SAFETY TIPS

SPECTATOR TICKETS
SEE THE ACTION FROM THE SIDE OF THE ROAD

Proceeds from ticket sales are donated to the organizations that help us marshal and run the stages. By supporting us with ticket sales you are supporting local volunteer and sports groups.

2026 SPECTATOR TICKETS - OPEN NOW >>

Get a ticket to the action via Eventfinda. Tickets will be available to purchase online in 2024 via Eventfinda or in person at the Whangarei Info Centre* (92 Otaika Road phone +64 9 470 3032), or via the gate. Kids Under 15 FREE (for Pohe Island, plus Sat and Sun stages).

Tickets give you access to the key, safe spectator areas along the rally (you can see these spots by viewing the Spectator Map above – they are the spots on the map with binoculars.

*Booking Fees Apply.

GOLD PASS

See all the action at the Pohe Island Super Special Stage Saturday evening, plus the rural stages across the district running during the day on Saturday and Sunday.

BUY GOLD PASS TICKETS>>

SATURDAY SUPER SPECIAL STAGE POHE ISLAND PASS

Catch the racing in the heart of Whangarei on Saturday evening at Pohe Island including the awesome jump!

BUY POHE ISLAND TICKETS>>

SAT & SUN RURAL STAGE DAY PASSES

See the true gravel road rallying in the stages north / west and south of Whangarei (note – you will need to travel to the remote spectator areas marked on the map)

BUY SAT/SUN RURAL TICKETS>>

RALLY CEREMONIAL START
FRIDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2026

Be there at 4pm, then see the cars and the stars up close at the Ceremonial Start. Grab an autograph, a photo or just wander around the amazing variety of cars. Then afterwards have a quick meal in the city.

The Ceremonial Start will be preceded by a display park on John Street, Central Whangarei. This display park will open at 4.00pm, and all competing vehicles will be there by 4.45pm. Competitors enter from the junction of Robert & John Street and continue on John Street to be parked by the Marshalls. Cars will go over the start ramp via Cameron Street, and then turn right and exit on James Street. To facilitate access and arrival cars must arrive as per the following schedule:

  • 1615hrs – 1625hrs: Cars 1 – 20 arrive to display park (parked closest to ramp)
  • 1625hrs – 1635hrs: Cars 21 – 40 arrive to display park.
  • 1635hrs – 1645hrs: Cars 41 – 60 arrive to display park.
  • 1615hrs – 1715hrs: Driver Autograph Signing – Compulsory for NZRC Competitors
  • 1715hrs – 1730hrs: Opening Ceremony
  • 1730hrs: First car starts in Reverse Numerical Order
IROW24 Ceremonial Start

POHE ISLAND SUPER STAGE
SATURDAY 26th SEPTEMBER 2026

The first cars start @ 5:00pm* with the second run being inter-leaved into the first run.

Get a ticket to the action via Eventfinda. Tickets will be available to purchase online in 2026 via Eventfinda or in person at the Whangarei Info Centre (92 Otaika Road phone +64 9 470 3032), or via the gate.

  • Entry opens from 4:00pm with the action starting from 5:00pm.
  • Food Trucks are onsite so make sure you grab a bite to eat.
  • The cars will do two runs over Pohe Island on the sensational Super Stage.
  • In 2026 the cars are starting from the service park, running into the in-field and then out under the bridge to Dave Culham Drive.
  • The finish control will be by the bridge. Cars will park on the bridge before their second run.
  • *the times can change based on what has happened during the day.

Kids Under 15 FREE (for Pohe Island, plus Sat and Sun stages).

Pohe Island Super Stage - Access - IROW24

News & Media

 

ROW Content

 

Rally of Whangarei

 

The International Rally of Whangārei incorporates a round of the MotorSport New Zealand-sanctioned New Zealand Rally Championship (NZRC) where local teams can compete internally for NZRC points and the title will be crowned in Whangarei.

  • Instagram