For one weekend, the heart of Auckland’s Grey Lynn beat to the rhythm of high-revving engines and even bigger hearts. The 2025 Starship Supercar Show wasn’t just another car meet; it was a record-shattering pilgrimage for petrolheads and a monumental success for the Starship Foundation, proving once again that New Zealand’s car community has a deep well of generosity. When the final numbers were tallied, an incredible $232,000 had been raised, pushing the event’s total contribution since 2021 to over $635,000.
Hosted at the Giltrap Group HQ, the third iteration of this now-legendary event was a complete sell-out, with over 8,000 fans flocking to witness what can only be described as automotive nirvana. The sheer scale was unprecedented. Imagine walking into a space and being immediately greeted by a genuine Formula One car, a machine representing the absolute pinnacle of motorsport engineering. For many, this was the breathtaking start to a journey through a collection of 91 rare and wonderful vehicles with a staggering combined value north of $125 million.
Michael Giltrap, Executive Director of Giltrap Group, witnessed the impact firsthand. “The sheer joy on the faces of people who were greeted by an actual Formula One car as they walked in, to the excitement at seeing their dream car, was incredible,” he shared. This wasn’t a static, hands-off museum display. It was a vibrant, passionate gathering where the lines between priceless metal and adoring fans blurred. The devotion was palpable, with some attendees travelling from as far as Fiji for the spectacle, while one local fan reportedly snapped over 900 photos to capture every angle of the dream garage assembled before them.
A World-Class Collection with a Kiwi Heart
What makes a car show truly world-class? It’s the presence of “unobtanium” cars so rare, so expensive, and so technologically advanced they seem to exist only in posters and video games. The 2025 show delivered this in spades. While specific models remain the stuff of whispered legend, the presence of “cars worth several million dollars” points squarely at the hypercar elite. We’re talking about machinery where carbon fibre is the norm, aerodynamics are sculpted by gods, and horsepower figures comfortably sit in the four-digit realm. The most impressive part? This multi-million-dollar grid wasn’t assembled by twisting arms. It was built on pure passion. “Thanks to the generosity of the owners, we were able to put together a collection… that was truly world-class,”
Giltrap explained. “Some of these cars were worth several million dollars, but there was no hesitation in putting them on show, and in many cases, it was the owners who got in touch with us.” This speaks volumes about the Kiwi car community, a willingness to share these masterpieces for a greater cause, moving them from climate-controlled storage into the public eye for the benefit of New Zealand’s children.
This spirit of generosity extended far beyond the private owners. A long list of supporters, including the Giltrap Trust, NZME, Qatar Airways, and Logitech, played a crucial role. From transporting priceless vehicles across the country to bolstering the charity auction, the business community rallied to ensure the event could maximize its contribution.
The Real Winners
Beyond the stunning display of horsepower and design, the most important number remains the $232,000 raised for the Starship Foundation.This funding is a lifeline that supports the acquisition of the best equipment, pioneering innovation, and world-class care for children from every corner of Aotearoa.
Joanna Simon, CEO of the Starship Foundation, expressed immense gratitude. “A huge congratulations to the entire Giltrap team and all their supporters on the success of the third Starship Supercar Show. Thank you for helping us to provide the very best care… We are so grateful for your support.” It’s a powerful reminder that behind every ticket sold and every auction bid, there is a direct, positive impact on the lives of Kiwi families during their most challenging times.
As the exhaust notes fade on a hugely successful 2025 event, the countdown has already begun. Planning is underway for the next Starship Supercar Show, confirmed for 2027.The bar has been set incredibly high. One can only wonder what automotive unicorns will grace our shores next time. For enthusiasts and philanthropists alike, it’s a date to circle on the calendar—another chance for fast cars and big hearts to unite for an incredible cause.
