Events and Programming
Pukekohe Park remains open under that name, but its programme has changed substantially. Today it is primarily a thoroughbred racecourse, horse-training centre and year-round function venue. Regular motorsport ended in April 2023, followed by a specially approved final drifting farewell in February 2026. Visitors looking at current listings should therefore expect race meetings, raceday hospitality and private events rather than a continuing calendar of circuit racing or touring concerts.
The headline public event is November’s TAB Counties Cup Day, Franklin’s major annual raceday. Its card includes the historic Group 3 Counties Cup and the Group 2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, supported by music, food, fashion, family entertainment and several hospitality areas. General admission is currently free, while paid products range from lively party spaces and sit-down lunches to premium lounges and private trackside marquees.
The remainder of the calendar mixes low-key midweek meetings with occasional themed or feature racedays. Recent programmes have included October Raceday, January and February meetings, March Raceday, Trades’ Day, Easter racing, Ladies’ Day and Bonecrusher Stakes Day. Industry meetings are deliberately simple: the grandstand usually opens around noon, admission is free, food and drink choices can be limited, and there may be no public entertainment beyond the racing itself.
Between 2021 and 2023, Pukekohe Park still carried two distinct programmes. Thoroughbred meetings continued while the motor circuit hosted national racing, drifting, track days and the final Auckland SuperSprint in September 2022. Pukekohe then absorbed several prestigious Auckland racedays while Ellerslie was being rebuilt, including Melbourne Cup Day, Boxing Day racing and New Year’s Day racing. The original motorsport farewell followed in early 2023, including the Jim Palmer historic meeting and a final weekend ending on 2 April.
Racing returned to a more locally focused pattern after Ellerslie reopened. Pukekohe hosted transferred racing in May 2024, Ladies’ Day and other industry meetings in 2025, and a fuller sequence of local dates during early 2026. The February 2026 D1NZ weekend was a one-off exception featuring championship drifting, historic vehicles, live entertainment, displays and a family zone. It was promoted and completed as the final motorsport event at Pukekohe Park.
Announced future programming confirms the new direction. The remaining 2026 highlights are October Raceday and Counties Cup Day, followed by Pukekohe meetings in January, February and March 2027, Trades’ Day, Easter racing, Ladies’ Day and a winter meeting. There is no announced return to regular motorsport. Private bookings continue throughout the year for weddings, birthdays, meetings, school functions, exhibitions, Christmas events and community celebrations.
Tickets and Booking
General admission to current Pukekohe racedays is normally free, but obtaining the event’s digital admission ticket in advance is still sensible when one is offered. All issued tickets are electronic and can be displayed on a phone or printed. Industry racedays rarely sell out, whereas Counties Cup hospitality, private rooms and trackside marquees can reach capacity well ahead of November.
As a useful pricing guide, recent Counties Cup releases placed party-style hospitality from the mid-$80s per person, a raceday lunch in the mid-$100s and premium lounge packages in the high-$200s. Ten-person mini marquees began a little above $2,000. These figures are benchmarks rather than permanent prices; inclusions, release periods and booking fees vary. Free general admission remains the best-value option for visitors who mainly want to watch the horses.
Hospitality tickets are generally non-refundable after purchase, subject to consumer law and the published event conditions. A ticket for one private area does not provide entry to other lounges, although public areas remain accessible. For popular Cup Day spaces, book the first suitable release, confirm the dress code for every guest and keep the e-ticket downloaded in case mobile reception is busy at the gate.
About Pukekohe Park
Pukekohe Park stands at 222–250 Manukau Road in Pukekohe, about 40 minutes south of central Auckland in light traffic. Despite some directory descriptions placing it in Waikato, Pukekohe is within the Auckland region, close to the northern Waikato boundary. The approximately 73-hectare site combines a right-handed thoroughbred track, grandstands, lawns, hospitality rooms, training tracks, stabling and large parking or event areas.
The horse-racing course is approximately 1,900 metres around with a long home straight of about 520 metres. The venue also operates as a major Auckland training centre, with a 15-metre-wide all-weather sand track, three grass tracks, plough and cinder tracks, a trotting ring, dual-lamp training lights and stabling for more than 190 horses. Eight-stall overhead starting gates are used for regular barrier education.
For private events, the published maximum for the entire site is 30,000 people, but that is not a fixed-seat grandstand capacity. Indoor configurations are much smaller: approximately 350 cocktail-style, 250 for a wedding or banquet, 220 theatre-style, more than 120 cabaret-style, 30 boardroom-style and 25 in a U-shape. No reliable current inventory of permanent spectator seats has been published, so the 30,000 figure should never be described as seated capacity.
Seating and Layout
General admission is spread between the covered Public Grandstand, open trackside areas and the lawn beside the Parade Ring. The lawn is best for families, picnics and seeing horses before they race. The covered stand gives better weather protection and an elevated view of the home straight. On major days, Level 4 of the Fulton Stand provides the broadest public panorama, while the Fulton Lounge and other hospitality spaces offer indoor comfort and reserved service.
Pukekohe is a long outdoor racecourse rather than a compact arena, so no position shows every metre equally well. An elevated grandstand place is best for following the race tactically; the rail and Parade Ring lawn are better for atmosphere, photography and hearing the field thunder past. Trackside marquees provide proximity but can involve grass underfoot and greater exposure to wind or rain. Outdoor hospitality may not have an indoor alternative during bad weather.
The venue is not a regular concert hall and publishes no permanent concert sound-system specification. For functions, professional sound, lighting and audio-visual services can be arranged, from wireless microphones and panel systems to large-event sound and lighting. High-speed fibre and tailored video-conferencing connections are also available, although event Wi-Fi may attract an additional charge. Exact equipment should be treated as event-specific rather than built into every booking.
Getting There and Parking
Drivers should enter through Gate 2 or Gate 3 on Manukau Road and follow event signage. Raceday parking is plentiful, unrestricted and free unless a separately promoted event states otherwise. The February 2026 motorsport farewell, for example, charged for parking, but that was an organiser-specific arrangement and does not represent normal thoroughbred racedays. Overflow areas may be opened when the main car park fills.
Pukekohe railway station is roughly 1.2 kilometres from the venue. Walking normally takes about 15 minutes, although event organisers have sometimes described it as a ten-minute route. The 393 Pukekohe South Loop bus serves Manukau Road and connects with the station, but local frequencies and finish times may not suit every raceday. A taxi or rideshare is useful after evening functions; follow staff directions rather than stopping across an active gate.
Mobility-permit parking is located behind the Main Grandstand. Visitors with specific access requirements, or those needing arrangements without a mobility permit, are asked to organise assistance at least three working days before racing. Helicopter arrivals are possible only with advance permission and are limited, making them a specialist corporate option rather than ordinary transport.
Inside the Venue
Entry points can conduct ticket, identification and bag checks, so leave extra time on Cup Day. Refusing a search may result in refused entry. Intoxicated, disorderly or drug-affected patrons may also be denied admission or removed. Promotional photography and filming take place at racedays, and entry is treated as consent for the organiser to use crowd images.
General-admission racegoers may bring picnic food, unopened non-alcoholic drinks, folding chairs and picnic rugs for outdoor areas. Bringing alcohol is prohibited throughout the licensed premises, including the infield. Food availability changes significantly by event: industry days may have only a small hot-food selection, while Counties Cup Day brings additional vendors, bars and hospitality catering. Bars usually close shortly after the final race.
Private functions use in-house catering with breakfast, lunch, platters, buffet, plated-dinner and beverage options. Restrooms and betting facilities are concentrated around the grandstand and hospitality buildings. A public coat check is not advertised, merchandise is event-dependent, and public Wi-Fi should not be assumed. Guests should carry only what they are comfortable keeping with them throughout an outdoor day.
Nearby Amenities
The racecourse sits close to Pukekohe’s commercial centre rather than in an isolated rural location. Nearby choices include casual coffee on Manukau Road, Chinese dining at Kings Garden, barbecue at Blue Ox Babe, daytime food at Townmouse and steakhouse dining around King Street. Most are approximately five minutes away by car. Opening hours can be limited on Sunday evenings, so allow time before racing instead of relying on a late meal afterwards.
Central Pukekohe has supermarkets, bottle shops, takeaway outlets and several motels clustered around Manukau Road and the town centre. Accommodation is much more limited than in central Auckland, particularly when a large local event is running. Visitors staying in Auckland should plan the return journey carefully because suburban rail and local bus services do not run continuously through the night.
What Makes Pukekohe Park Special
The site’s character comes from more than a century of layered use. Franklin Racing Club was established in 1919, and racing at Pukekohe dates from about 1920. During the Second World War, the racecourse became a large military camp occupied by New Zealand and United States units. More than 200 small huts and extensive support buildings were erected, with around 1,800 Marines based there during 1943.
The motor circuit was constructed around the horse track in 1962 and hosted its first New Zealand Grand Prix in 1963. Pukekohe went on to stage the Grand Prix 29 times, international Tasman Series races, celebrated production-car enduros, touring cars, motorcycles, drifting and Supercars. Drivers associated with its fastest years included Jack Brabham, Graham Hill, Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, Bruce McLaren, Chris Amon, Denny Hulme, Greg Murphy and Scott McLaughlin.
A major upgrade preceded Supercars’ 2013 return, bringing resurfacing, a back-straight chicane, enhanced viewing, additional pedestrian bridges and new race-control, timing and corporate facilities. Supercars had previously run at Pukekohe from 2001 to 2007 before moving to Hamilton. Its 2022 return became an emotional farewell, followed by the end of the motorsport lease in 2023 and the exceptional final D1NZ celebration in 2026.
Architecturally, Pukekohe is practical rather than monumental: grandstands, lounges, training infrastructure and former circuit buildings were added as different sporting needs arose. That mixed landscape is precisely what gives it cultural weight. It connects country racing, Auckland’s equine industry, wartime history and six decades of Kiwi motorsport in one place. The 2023 merger that created Auckland Thoroughbred Racing placed the site beside Ellerslie within a single regional organisation.
Its economic role has also been substantial. MotorSport New Zealand estimated Auckland motorsport’s regional economic impact at $81.8 million when closure was announced, arguing that Pukekohe contributed heavily as Auckland’s permanent circuit. Today the venue’s impact is centred on horse training, racing employment, Cup Day visitors, private functions and the spending that major days generate in Pukekohe’s shops, eateries and accommodation.
Visitor Tips and Information
Dress for an outdoor Auckland day: sunscreen, a hat, a waterproof layer and shoes suitable for lawns are more useful than formal clothes in general admission. There is no strict GA dress code, and tidy shorts, T-shirts and sandals are common. Hospitality areas and the Fulton Lounge require smart casual clothing; sports shorts, singlets, jandals, ripped jeans and collarless shirts are not accepted there.
New Zealand accessibility standards apply rather than the United States’ ADA. Official information confirms designated mobility parking and advance access arrangements, but it does not publish a comprehensive room-by-room accessibility audit. Older visitor reports praise the former wheelchair viewing position while also mentioning uneven ground and steep sections. Anyone with mobility, sensory or seating requirements should therefore arrange a specific route before attending.
Recent visitor commentary is heavily influenced by memories of the closed motor circuit, so it is not always a fair guide to present-day thoroughbred meetings. Consistent positives include free parking, helpful volunteers, proximity to the horses and the atmosphere beside the Parade Ring. Recurring criticisms concern limited food on quieter days, queues when only one outlet is operating and incomplete views of the former circuit. Arriving fed and choosing an elevated viewing position solves several of those issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pukekohe Park still open?
Yes. Pukekohe Park remains open as a thoroughbred racecourse, horse-training centre and private function venue operated by Auckland Thoroughbred Racing. What closed was the regular motor-racing operation. The circuit’s final specially approved motorsport event was held from 13 to 15 February 2026, after which the site returned to horse racing, training and event-centre use.
What events are held at Pukekohe Park now?
The public calendar is dominated by thoroughbred racing. The major annual occasion is Counties Cup Day in November, supported by industry racedays, seasonal meetings, Trades’ Day, Ladies’ Day and occasional feature programmes. Away from racing, indoor rooms and outdoor grounds are available for weddings, birthdays, meetings, school functions, Christmas parties, exhibitions and community celebrations.
Is general admission free?
General admission is currently free on Pukekohe racedays, including the principal Counties Cup meeting. Paid tickets are mainly for hospitality lounges, party areas, lunches, reserved spaces and private marquees. Even where admission costs nothing, an event may issue a digital ticket or impose capacity controls, so obtaining the correct admission product beforehand remains a sensible precaution.
How much does raceday hospitality cost?
Prices depend on the meeting and package. Recent Counties Cup examples ranged from the mid-$80s for a party precinct to the mid-$100s for lunch and the high-$200s for a premium lounge. Private ten-person marquees started above $2,000. Treat these as typical ranges only, because release pricing, menus, beverages, booking fees and inclusions can change.
What is Pukekohe Park’s capacity?
The event-hire specification lists up to 30,000 people when the entire venue is activated, but this is not a seated grandstand figure. Individual function layouts are smaller: around 350 cocktail-style, 250 banquet or wedding, 220 theatre-style and more than 120 cabaret-style. The operator does not publish a dependable current total for permanent grandstand seats.
Where is the best place to watch the racing?
Choose the covered Public Grandstand for weather protection and an elevated view of the home straight. Level 4 of the Fulton Stand offers a wider panorama when opened for general admission. The Parade Ring lawn is better for picnics, families and seeing horses closely before each race, while the rail provides the strongest sense of speed at the finish.
Can I bring a picnic?
Yes. Current general-admission information allows picnic food, unopened non-alcoholic drinks, folding chairs and picnic rugs in outdoor areas. Bringing alcohol is prohibited because Pukekohe Park is fully licensed. Glass, oversized structures or anything that obstructs other spectators may be restricted by the particular event, so keep the picnic compact and easy to carry across grass.
Is parking free at Pukekohe Park?
Parking is free and plentiful for normal racedays and private events. Drivers should use Gate 2 or Gate 3 and follow staff signs to the current parking area. Separately promoted events may set different rules: the final 2026 drifting event charged for parking. Do not assume that an organiser-specific motorsport price applies to current horse-racing meetings.
Can I travel by train?
Yes. Pukekohe station is approximately 1.2 kilometres from the racecourse, generally a 15-minute walk depending on the gate and your pace. Local bus route 393 also travels via Manukau Road. Rail and bus timetables can change, and late services may be limited, so evening function guests should have a backup taxi, rideshare or sober-driver plan.
Is Pukekohe Park wheelchair accessible?
Designated mobility parking is available behind the Main Grandstand, and the operator can arrange additional assistance when given at least three working days’ notice. The site contains a mixture of solid paths, buildings and grass, while older reviews mention uneven or steep sections. A specific access route should be confirmed in advance rather than assuming every outdoor viewing area is step-free.
Does the ADA apply at Pukekohe Park?
No. The Americans with Disabilities Act is United States legislation and does not apply in New Zealand. Pukekohe Park operates under New Zealand requirements and provides mobility parking and advance access arrangements. Because a detailed accessibility audit is not publicly available, visitors needing accessible toilets, wheelchair seating, reduced walking distances or companion arrangements should request event-specific confirmation before attending.
What should I wear to the races?
General admission is relaxed, with tidy shorts, T-shirts, sandals and practical outdoor clothing accepted. Hospitality precincts and the Fulton Lounge use a smart-casual standard. Sports shorts, singlets, jandals, ripped jeans and collarless shirts are excluded from those areas. Formal dresses, suits, ties and headpieces are traditional on major days but encouraged rather than compulsory.
Are children allowed at Pukekohe Park?
Normal racedays are suitable for families, and Counties Cup Day typically adds free children’s activities such as face painting and lawn games. Families often base themselves on the Parade Ring lawn with a rug and picnic. Children must remain supervised around horses, service roads, bars and crowded rail areas. Alcohol service is restricted to adults aged 18 or older with acceptable identification.
Can I buy food and drinks inside?
Yes, although the range depends on the event. Major days have additional food vendors, bars and hospitality menus, while quiet industry meetings may offer only a small selection of casual hot food and drinks. Bringing a picnic is wise if dietary variety matters. Private functions use in-house catering with buffet, plated, breakfast, lunch and beverage options.
Does Pukekohe Park have Wi-Fi?
High-speed fibre and event Wi-Fi can be arranged for private bookings, meetings and video conferencing, normally at an additional cost. This is a client service rather than a promise of free public Wi-Fi throughout the racecourse. Download e-tickets before leaving home and save essential travel information offline so entry does not depend on a busy mobile connection.
Will motorsport return to Pukekohe Park?
No continuing motorsport programme has been announced. Regular circuit activity ceased in April 2023 so the owner could expand thoroughbred training and racing operations. D1NZ’s February 2026 meeting was approved as a one-off cultural farewell and promoted as the final motorsport event. Current and announced future listings are centred on horse racing and private functions.
How early should I arrive?
For a quiet industry raceday, arriving 30 minutes before the first race is normally sufficient. Allow 45 to 60 minutes for Counties Cup Day, especially if parking, meeting friends or entering hospitality. Gates and the grandstand commonly open roughly an hour before racing. Early arrival also secures a better lawn position and reduces queues at entry and food outlets.
