More than 340 people and around 140 vehicles came together for the 2004 event - 30% up on the Jeep Jamboree staged in Nelson last year. Such was the response registrations closed four months ahead of the Jamboree and a waiting list built up.
The variety of Jeep vehicles was equally impressive, with models dating from the ubiquitous World War Two Willys MB through to the very latest Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland taking part.
“The Hawkes Bay Jeep Jamboree exceeded all our expectations and it was great to see everyone enjoying the opportunity to drive areas they would otherwise never experience,” says Brett Aspden, General Manager of Chrysler Jeep New Zealand.
The Jamboree took Jeep owners to a number of off-road driving locations where they could test their vehicles and their own skills in safety and with total respect for the environment. Split into six smaller groups to minimise wear and tear on tracks, they tackled the highest peak in Hawkes Bay, Mt Kahuranaki, ventured into extraordinary limestone country, explored forest trails containing mud bogs from the earlier heavy rainfalls and traversed fast running rivers.
Leisure activities included a dinner at New Zealand’s oldest and one of the most prestigious wine making establishment, Mission Estate, founded in 1851.
At the completion of the jamboree, the Jeep owners gave something back to the community in the shape of a Golden Totara tree, the first of native 100 trees donated by Chrysler Jeep NZ to help restore the Maraetotara Valley to its former natural glory. They also cleared Willow trees blown into the stream by a storm the previous week.
“We are very fortunate to be able to experience such wonderful countryside in New Zealand with our four-wheel-drive, so it was very rewarding for our Jeep owners to be involved in an environmental project such as the Maraetotara Valley scheme – we’d like to return in a few years to see this area blossom,” adds Mr Aspden.
John Scott, a founder of the Maraetotara Tree Trust, says the support from Chrysler Jeep NZ and Jeep owners is “marvelous and much appreciated”.
Now in its eighth year, the Jeep Jamboree is becoming more popular than ever and similar numbers to Hawkes Bay are expected for next year’s event.
The Jeep Jamboree is held in different locations around New Zealand each summer and is planning to visit the Bay of Plenty in 2005.
