The Targa New Zealand rally which was due to run in mid-October (14-18th) has become the latest casualty from the Covid-19 Level 3 lockdown. Organisers yesterday advised of the postponement of the event due to a combination of factors, making the final planning and sign-off too difficult.
“It is with a heavy heart and realisation we announce that the Targa NZ event due for October 2020 will not be able to run on the set dates,” commented Peter Martin, Managering Director. “Given the recent COVID-19 Level 3 restrictions around the Auckland region and the Level 2 restrictions across the wider country, we are not able to continue with the resident consultation process scheduled at this time to meet the requirements set out by the local councils from whom we obtain the road closures.
“Added to this is the delay of the election to the 17th October, which now falls within the planned event dates. The effect to the wider communities trying to get out to vote on the day means that a number of the roads we have applied for which encompass facilities, such as schools being used as Polling Booths, are now no longer available.
“There is always a degree of uncertainty around any election as customers wait to see the outcome before committing to any business investment or expenditure, let alone any time for fun, and this has never been more evident than now with the added disruption to businesses that COVID-19 has caused.
Meanwhile organisers are looking at alternative dates that could work which may take some time.
“With the speed with which the COVID-19 virus can return and with the long lead times required by councils for road closure applications to be processed, we are not yet in a position to set an alternative date that we can be confident will eventuate.
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