Keen Mini owners who aren't scared of putting a few kilometres on their tiny cars are setting off on another Pork Pie Charity Run on April 4-9.
The Run is a biannual event that aims to raise $500,000 this year to support KidsCan, whose missions is to provide New Zealand children affected by poverty with essentials such as food, clothes and health products at schools and early childhood centres.
Five million food items, 50,000 jackets and 44,000 pairs of shoes and gumboots were donated in 2024, giving support to nearly 1100 schools and centres. Another $500k will be enough to help an extra 1500 children, says the organisers.
The Pork Pie Charity Run takes inspiration from the popular Kiwi film, Goodbye Pork Pie, where the Blondini Gang set out on a journey across NZ in a yellow Mini. A similar route will be taken by the participants of the charity run: starting in Paihia, making their way through National Park, Wellington, Cromwell and ending the 2300km drive in Invercargill.
Fifty teams are registered and $374,714 has already been raised in donations. Around 40% of attendees will be participating in the event for the first time; several teams have participated in at least five runs, and at least one team has completed eight - every drive since the event’s conception in 2009.
Pork Pie Charity Run 2025 will showcase a 40-60 ratio of modern-to-classic vehicles. Notably, the eye-catching MiniMack, PPIE and TOYKAR vehicles will be along for the 2025 journey.
For the ninth time, Mini NZ is bringing along a fleet of new vehicles, including a Cooper 3-door for KidsCan, as well as a sponsored lunch on day two.
