Pukekohe Park Raceway – New Zealand Supercars & NZ GP Guide
Originally published November 2016. Last updated September 2026: expanded Tier B circuit guide, facts table, table of contents, Supercars farewell and closure context, internal links, FAQ schema, and editorial refresh while preserving legacy narrative and images.
Pukekohe Park Raceway was New Zealand’s main permanent race track south of Auckland — a 2.910 km road course with a long back straight, 29 New Zealand Grand Prix visits, and a Repco Supercars Auckland SuperSprint home until the 2022 farewell round. Opened in 1963 to replace the Ardmore airfield layout, it hosted Tasman Series stars, touring cars, and open-wheel nationals before a NZ$6.6 million upgrade added the back-straight chicane for Supercars’ 2013 return.
The venue matters because it carried Formula One winter tourists to the Antipodes, gave Greg Murphy a record four Supercars wins as a local hero, and shared its infield with the Counties Racing Club horse course — a dual-purpose layout rare outside Britain. Compare other Pacific national circuits at Mount Panorama Bathurst, Highlands Motorsport Park, and Barbagallo Raceway.
Contents
- Pukekohe Park Raceway facts
- 1963 opening and Ardmore replacement
- New Zealand Grand Prix and Tasman Series
- Group A and touring cars
- V8 Supercars and Auckland SuperSprint
- 2012 upgrade and chicane
- Changing Supercars formats
- 2022 farewell and closure
- Horse racing and dual ownership
- Visiting and contact
- Frequently asked questions
Pukekohe Park Raceway facts
| Location | Pukekohe, Auckland region, New Zealand (about 40 km south of Auckland) |
|---|---|
| Circuit type | Permanent road course (infield horse-racing track) |
| Opened | 1963 |
| Length (2013–2022 layout) | 2.910 km (1.808 miles) with back-straight chicane |
| Original length | 3.54 km (2.2 miles) full course; 2.82 km national layout from 1967 |
| Turns | Eight on the full course; chicane complex after 2012 rebuild |
| Main events (historical) | New Zealand Grand Prix (29 times, 1963–2000); Tasman Series; Repco Supercars Auckland SuperSprint (2001–2007, 2013–2022) |
| Operators | Pukekohe Park Limited (circuit) and Counties Racing Club (infield) |
| Supercars lap record (listed) | 1:01.5480 — Cam Waters (Ford Mustang GT), 2022 Auckland SuperSprint qualifying |
Lap record note: Supercars, Formula Holden, and historic categories used different cars and layouts. Compare times only within the same configuration and era.
In the centre of the circuit is a horse racing course
The Pukekohe Park Raceway opened in 1963
The permanent track in Pukekohe replaced the temporary course at Ardmore Airport, which hosted the New Zealand Grand Prix from 1954 to 1962. The original circuit measured 2.2 miles (3.54 km) and could split into a 2.82 km national loop or a shorter Club circuit.
The full course had eight turns and a 1.1 km back straight. It hosted the New Zealand Grand Prix until 1966; from 1967 the Club loop was bypassed and only the 2.82 km layout was used for headline races.
John Surtees and Bruce McLaren at the 1963 New Zealand Grand Prix
John Surtees won the inaugural New Zealand Grand Prix at Pukekohe
The first New Zealand Grand Prix at Pukekohe Park Raceway was held on 5 January 1963. John Surtees won in a Lola-Climax.
From 1964 the race joined the Tasman Series, which attracted Formula One stars during the European winter. Winners between 1964 and 1975 included Bruce McLaren, Graham Hill, Jackie Stewart, and Chris Amon.
Hosting the New Zealand Grand Prix until 1991
From 1976 to 1991 the New Zealand Grand Prix moved through Formula 5000, Formula Pacific, and Formula Mondial regulations but still drew international names. Keke Rosberg won twice (1977 and 1978). Other winners included Teo Fabi, Roberto Moreno, Paul Radisich, and Craig Baird.
The race left for Manfield and Ruapuna before returning once more in 2000 as a Formula Holden round.
V8 Supercars Championship came to Pukekohe in 2001
Group A touring cars came to Pukekohe in 1984
Australian touring cars first visited in 1984 for the Pukekohe 500. Early wins went to a BMW 635 CSi before Holdens, Fords, Nissans, and Sierras traded victories through the Group A era until 1993. Greg Murphy won a non-championship event in 1996.
2001 — first year in the V8 Supercars Championship
In 2001 Pukekohe joined the V8 Supercars calendar as the Boost Mobile V8 International — the first Australian Touring Car Championship round held outside Australia. Greg Murphy won and repeated in 2002, 2003, and 2005, still the venue’s record Supercars tally.
Other winners included Jason Bright (2004), Mark Skaife (2006), and Rick Kelly (2007) before the championship moved to Hamilton’s street circuit in 2008.
In 2012, the chicane was added at the end of the back straight
The circuit was improved for the V8 Supercars return in 2013
A five-year deal signed in 2012 brought Supercars back for 2013. Safety upgrades and a NZ$6.6 million rebuild lengthened the lap to 1.808 miles (2.910 km) with a chicane on the back straight — the biggest change in the circuit’s history. New pits, buildings, and spectator areas followed.
Changing formats for Pukekohe V8 events
The ITM 400 Auckland in April 2013 featured four 100 km races with four different winners: Scott McLaughlin, Jamie Whincup, Will Davison, and Jason Bright. Mark Winterbottom won the 2014 round; Whincup took 2015.
Map: Pukekohe Park track layout since 2013
The circuit also hosted New Zealand V8 Tourers (2012–2015) and the Toyota Racing Series open-wheel championship (2005–2009).
2022 farewell and end of circuit operations
The 2022 ITM Auckland SuperSprint (9–11 September 2022) was the fifteenth Auckland SuperSprint and the last Repco Supercars event at Pukekohe. Shane van Gisbergen won the final race and the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy; Will Davison won Race 1. Supercars later moved its New Zealand round to Taupō International Motorsport Park from 2024.
Pukekohe Park Raceway ceased racing operations in early 2023 as the site moved toward redevelopment. Before demolition, the layout was scanned for sim-racing preservation — a fitting coda for a track that had hosted world-class drivers for six decades.
More than a racing circuit
The infield horse-racing course owned by Counties Racing Club sat inside the motorsport loop. Pukekohe Park Limited and the racing club coordinated calendars so thoroughbred meetings and car events could share the property.
Visiting and contact
Status note: The race track is no longer operating as a motorsport venue. Confirm any public access or memorial events with local authorities before travelling.
Former address: Pukekohe Park Raceway, 222–250 Manukau Rd, Pukekohe 2120, New Zealand
Phone (historic listing): +64 9 238 8049
Frequently asked questions about Pukekohe Park Raceway
Where is Pukekohe Park Raceway?
Pukekohe Park Raceway was at 222–250 Manukau Rd, Pukekohe 2120, about 40 km south of Auckland, New Zealand.
How long was Pukekohe Park Raceway?
The final Supercars layout measured 2.910 km (1.808 miles) after the 2012 chicane. Earlier configurations included a 3.54 km full course and a 2.82 km national loop used from 1967.
When did Pukekohe Park Raceway open?
The permanent circuit opened in 1963, replacing the temporary Ardmore airfield course that had hosted the New Zealand Grand Prix since 1954.
Who won the first New Zealand Grand Prix at Pukekohe?
John Surtees won the inaugural Pukekohe New Zealand Grand Prix on 5 January 1963 in a Lola-Climax.
When did V8 Supercars last race at Pukekohe?
The 2022 ITM Auckland SuperSprint (9–11 September 2022) was the final Repco Supercars round at Pukekohe. Shane van Gisbergen won the last race and the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy.
Who won the most Supercars races at Pukekohe?
Greg Murphy won four championship rounds at Pukekohe (2001, 2002, 2003, and 2005) — still the venue record among Supercars winners.
Why was a chicane added at Pukekohe?
Before Supercars returned in 2013, a NZ$6.6 million safety upgrade added a chicane on the long back straight, extending the lap to 2.910 km and improving runoff for modern touring cars.
Is Pukekohe Park Raceway still open?
No. Racing ceased in early 2023 after the 2022 Supercars farewell. The site moved toward redevelopment; confirm any public access locally before visiting.
What else happened at Pukekohe besides car racing?
A horse-racing course owned by Counties Racing Club sat inside the motorsport loop, so thoroughbred meetings shared the property with circuit events.
Where did Supercars go after Pukekohe?
Repco Supercars returned to New Zealand at Taupō International Motorsport Park from 2024, carrying over the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy to the new round.
From Tasman heroes to Supercars farewell
Pukekohe’s story runs from Surtees and McLaren through Murphy’s home-soil dominance to van Gisbergen’s 2022 send-off — a North Island counterpart to The Bend and Sandown on the Australian calendar.
Related reading
- Mount Panorama Bathurst — Australia’s sacred endurance hill
- Highlands Motorsport Park — New Zealand’s premium complex
- Surfers Paradise Street Circuit — Gold Coast Supercars history
- Newcastle Street Circuit — NSW harbour Supercars course
Photos: pukekohepark.co.nz, kiwimotoring.com, iedm.com.au, sergent.com.au.
