About the Club

Manukau 4WD club has now been in existence for over 30 years and aims to promote and encourage safe and responsible use of 4WD vehicles. We currently have a membership base of around 100 ranging from '1st timers' to those with many years experience with 4WD driving, modifying, repairing and setting up of different types and makes of vehicles. Anything you want to know, feel free to ask (the only 'stupid' question is the one that stays in your head!).

Our members come from all walks of life and have a diverse and wide range of 4WD vehicles and interests. With this wide range of vehicles and interests, the club runs a similarly wide range of trips and outings to cater for all tastes.

Members vehicles range from 'just out of the show room' 'shiney' vehicles, 'not new' vehicles of all ages (and conditions), and include much loved older 'classic' 4WDs through to specially built competition vehicles and 'bush trucks' of all ages, nationalities, brands and models. In many cases the 4WD is also a 'daily driver' or work vehicle, although some members also have the luxury of 'toys' as well as a day to day vehicle. Likewise, trips range from back road touring, 'gentle' off road farm and forest trips through to slightly more 'challenging' off road runs right through to all out 'hard yakka' bush tracks which tend to be the preserve of bush trucks and competition type vehicles. The club also organises the annual 'Manukau Winch Challenge' which attracts competitors from across NZ (this years was on 17-18 October- and previous years have featured on 4WDTV).

Most of the club trips are within 2hrs drive of Auckland, although we also regularly go further afield, including the occasional foray to the South Island. Many of our members also take part in various 4WD trips and fund raising Safaris across NZ.

The majority of club trips are 'family friendly' and many members bring children, friends and family of all ages.

As a club, we also try to 'give back' to the communities in which our members live. The club has a long term ongoing relationship with Counties Manukau region (now Auckland South) Civil Defence, and as part of this a core group of members are on a 'call out' response list - fortunately to date we have not been needed, although we have been put on 'alert' a couple of times. We also run some of our trips as fundraisers for local community projects, as well as the Westpac helicopter Trust. The club also has a relationship with the South Auckland branch of 'Forest and Bird' and provides vehicles and labour to assist F&B with clean ups and rubbish removal of an F&B owned reserve. We also have provided vehicles and labour to assist with local 'adventure' races in the Franklin area, as well as 'rally recovery' for local car club events and Rally NZ.

Usually we have 2 or 3 trips of different types every month, although in winter there are less trips as we deliberately avoid areas/tracks where surface damage is/will be an issue.

We like to think we are a friendly bunch, and are happy to encourage and guide new and prospective members and share our experiences, as well as our sense of humour.

If you are interested in finding out more, you are more than welcome to come along to any of our club meetings and club trips, all you need do is contact the trip organiser or Club Captain beforehand to ensure the trip is appropriate for both your vehicle and experience etc. Often spare seats can be found for those who prefer to experience things from a passenger seat. We have a 'guest membership' specifically to allow bona-fida guests to take part in club trips.

Club meeting nights are the 1st Tuesday every month (except January) at the South Auckland Car Club in Papakura, and for details of location please see the 'Monthly Meetings' page. We try to run a range of trips, which cater for all levels of experience. For upcoming club trips you are welcome to come along as a guest. It's best if you can come along to a club night first and speak the trip organiser or Club Captain if you want to go, there's bound to be a spare seat or two if you find yourself without a suitable vehicle.