Vintage and classic vehicles will be on display and on the road across Aotearoa on 23 August as the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand, Ford New Zealand and the Cancer Society come together for the 2026 Daffodil Rally for Cancer.
Everyone knows someone. Someone who has faced cancer, someone living with cancer, or someone they wish was still here. That is why the Vintage Car Club (VCC) of New Zealand, Ford New Zealand and the Cancer Society are united in a shared mission to raise awareness, inspire generosity and create meaningful local impact for families affected by cancer throughout New Zealand.
Held on Sunday 23 August, the weekend before Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day on Friday 28 August, the rally will see communities around the country host local rallies, vehicle displays and fundraising events, with support from Ford New Zealand and participating Ford dealerships. Funds raised through each local event stay in the region to support Cancer Society services for people affected by cancer in that community.
What began as a handful of local rallies has grown into a powerful movement across Aotearoa New Zealand, bringing together communities, families and car enthusiasts with a shared purpose. Since 2017, more than $500,000 has been raised through the rally to support vital Cancer Society services, including an incredible $140,000 raised in 2025 alone.
With more than 8,000 Vintage Car Club members, an extended network of more than 28,000 vehicles, and the reach of Ford New Zealand, participating dealers and Cancer Society, the potential for 2026 is even greater.
Cancer Society New Zealand Chief Executive Nicola Coom says the rally is a powerful way for communities to show support for people affected by cancer.
"This partnership shows what's possible when organisations unite behind a shared purpose,” says Ms Coom. “Together, the Vintage Car Club, Ford New Zealand and the Cancer Society are bringing communities together to support people affected by cancer today, while helping create a future where fewer New Zealanders hear the words 'you have cancer'. We encourage everyone to get involved, support their local rally and help drive hope across the country,” says Ms Coom.
For the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand, the event is about using members’ shared love of motoring to support a cause close to many families.
"The Daffodil Rally brings together two things our members care deeply about – our love of vintage and classic vehicles and supporting our local communities. Every rally, every display and every donation helps ensure people affected by cancer receive the support they need close to home. We're incredibly proud to be part of something that makes such a real difference,” says Vintage Car Club Daffodil Rally Organiser Kaaren Smylie.
Ford New Zealand and participating Ford dealerships will help bring the rally closer to communities through local dealership activity, promotion and support.
"At Ford New Zealand, giving back to the communities we serve is at the heart of who we are, and Daffodil Day is a cause close to so many of our team members' hearts,” says Ford New Zealand Managing Director Annaliese Atina. “We're incredibly proud to see our dealerships right across the country get behind events like the Vintage Car Club of NZ’s Daffodil Rally – opening their doors, hosting or supporting events, and rallying their teams and customers to raise both funds and awareness for the Cancer Society. It's a wonderful example of the Ford family coming together for something bigger than any one of us, and we're honoured to keep supporting this cause year after year."
From public displays and scenic rallies to dealership-hosted activities and local fundraising, each event will give people a simple way to support Daffodil Day while enjoying some of New Zealand’s motoring history and helping ensure support raised in their community benefits local people affected by cancer.
The community is encouraged to join the rally, support the cause and be part of something that matters. Together, the Vintage Car Club, Ford New Zealand and the Cancer Society are not just driving vehicles – they are driving hope.