The man behind a Bay of Plenty community car show is being recognised for turning a simple idea into a major fundraiser.
Stu Brickland, founder of the Pukehina Surf ’n’ Sand Autorama, has received the ASB Good as Gold Award after helping raise more than $100,000 for local organisations.
“To be chosen as the recipient is really, really humbling,” Brickland said.
Brickland received $10,000, which he donated back to the Pukehina Community Charitable Trust, which runs the Autorama.
The Pukehina Surf ’n’ Sand Autorama attracts more than 450 cars and bikes and more than 5000 members of the public.
It’s organised by a seven-person committee under the Pukehina Community Charitable Trust.
“We’re all car buffs, no matter what your budget, and, it’s about being able to turn up and just enjoy the day and have those conversations with people,” Brickland said.
Brickland, a plumber and gas fitter by trade, said the idea came after noticing motorcycles or old cars in clients’ garages.
“That was a daily occurrence for me, people had stashed away in their houses bits and pieces, and at that stage, there was nothing really happening out this way.”
Brickland said he put a “shout-out” on Facebook and used the local park in Pukehina for the very first show to have “a bit of a catch-up” and some fun.
“I’m more about the everyman’s car type thing. It didn’t have to be a $100,000 hot rod. It could be a tractor, a motorbike, a ’71 Hillman Hunter, it didn’t really matter.”
He said 185 cars turned up to the first Autorama and it had “grown year-on-year”.
Vehicles on display at the 2025 event. Photo / Stuart Whitaker
“It doesn’t matter if it’s a really budget car or an expensive car, all these people are having conversations because that car will invoke a memory or an experience for somebody.”
He said the show focused not only on cars and motorbikes but on creating a family day.
“The public likes it because the whole family can enjoy the day, and the car buffs like it because you just never know what’s going to turn up.”
Alongside the vehicle displays, the event now features more than 75 food and craft stalls, live music, car fire-ups and family activities.
“I’ve been to hundreds and hundreds of car shows every year, and I know if my wife’s not happy, I’m going home early,” Brickland said.
The show has raised about $105,000 for local groups over the years, and organisers expect this year’s event from March 14 to raise around $50,000 once final totals are confirmed.
“The cars are great and the bikes are great, but it’s the people you meet and stories you hear that make it.
“It might have been my original idea and what have you, but it’s grown to such an extent now that we’ve got all these wonderful people who help run it, and it’s just amazing.”
Karen Raggett, a Pukehina Community Charitable Trust committee member, nominated Brickland for the award.
She said that for a “little community” the Autorama helped many organisations.
“If it wasn’t for the brainchild idea of Stu’s this would have never been possible.”
Kaitlyn Morrell is a journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has lived in the region for several years and studied journalism at Massey University.