When hosting a major event, the health and safety of all involved is paramount.

While the Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring event management team planned every detail of what became one of the region’s most successful events, Ethos Health & Safety was brought in alongside to develop and implement an event health and safety plan, helping ensure the safety of entrants, stakeholders and members of the public alike.

Pictured is Ray Robertson, Festival Director (left) and Mike Wilson, Communications Manager (centre) with Michelle Dykstra, Ethos Health & Safety (right) during event registration at the Trafalgar Centre Nelson.

The Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring was hosted in the Nelson Tasman region in March 2026. Boasting 1,134 national and international entrants and 535 classic and vintage cars for a week of activities, this is one of the largest events ever to be held in the Top of the South.

The event comprised a week of themed rallies, community engagements including Wednesday Night on the Town, and an entrants only Teams Relay Challenge day followed by a Public Display day, both held at the Richmond A&P Showgrounds in Tasman. Daily activities were capped off with evening dinners and entertainment at the Trafalgar Centre in Nelson.

Photo credit: Samantha Gee, RNZ.

The management of an event of this size and complexity is challenging and requires detailed planning, communication and coordination with stakeholder groups including contractors, vendors and volunteers. By engaging Ethos Health & Safety, the event management team were supported to identify and proactively manage foreseeable risks and provide stakeholders with information to support their health and safety.

Photo: A purpose-built scaffolding pedestrian overbridge was constructed to allow Teams Relay Challenge entrants and spectators safe access across the track to the centre field.

Pre-event venue assessments conducted by Ethos Health & Safety provided fresh-eyes and early identification of safety and compliance issues, allowing time for safety improvements to be implemented prior to the start of the event.

This led to safety improvements at the Richmond A&P showgrounds that included the installation of a protective handrail to prevent a fall from height on the Waimea Grandstand, and the obtaining of a temporary Fire and Emergency NZ approved fire evacuation scheme.

Pictured is Annette, A&P Showgrounds Manager (centre) and Ted, member of the Nelson A&P Showgrounds Board (back) beside a new safety handrail on the Waimea Grandstand.

During the Public Display Day, local vendors sold a range of food and beverages to feed and water large crowds estimated at 6,900 people.  

Given the dry weather and volatile fire conditions leading up to the Public Display Day, Ethos Health & Safety ensured that vendor health and safety requirements were clearly communicated well in advance and with an emphasis on fire safety.

On the day, Ethos Health & Safety worked together with Mainland Extinguishers to provide vendors with onsite assessment, servicing and support to ensure compliance with the prohibited fire season requirements.

Photo: Mike Wells (right) and his son Keaton (centre) from Mainland Extinguishers helped get vendors ready for a day of safe cooking and service delivery.

The event health and safety plan included emergency response planning for informed, swift and effective response to any foreseeable emergency.

The event management team and Ethos Health & Safety hoped and planned for the very best but were prepared for the worst.

Thankfully, all aspects of the event went as planned without any requirement to activate emergency response.

Photo: The Public Display Day at the Richmond A&P Showgrounds was attended by an estimated 6,900 people. Foreground: attendees line up for a ride in a classic or vintage car to raise money for the Cancer Society.

Event health and safety is not all about compliance and emergency response; it is about enabling safe fun.

As Ray Robertson, Festival Director noted in his Grand Finale Farewell speech:

“Michelle thank you for helping develop our H & S Mgt. plan.

H & S is a challenging environment with all manner of acceptance and compliance. To see you blatting around the TRC track in a mini is a reminder that H & S can be fun.”

Pictured is Michelle from Ethos Health & Safety about to crew on a classic mini during the afternoon session of the Teams Relay Challenge.