4x4 Outdoor Expo Christmas Meet 2024
Ah, summertime — it’s the best, right? That said, this time of year can be a bit hectic. Between wrapping up work, frantically hunting for Christmas presents, and prepping our trucks (and homes) for the holiday season, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s why events like the 4x4 Outdoor Expo Christmas Meet are so essential — a chance to stop, unwind, and hang out with some like-minded mates.
Having just arrived from Bali the day before the event, there was no way we were missing it. The Land Cruiser, however, was looking worse for wear and desperately needed a good clean before I’d let it be seen in public. Sure, four-wheel drives are meant to be dirty, but my car-cleaning OCD had other ideas.
Running on three hours’ sleep, I headed straight to the garage after landing in Auckland. As our promotional vehicle, the Land Cruiser deserved the full treatment. Plus, keeping busy was my way of fending off jet lag. Out came the polisher! The Cruiser’s paint had suffered on our last trip, so a proper paint correction was in order.
I started with a Meguiar’s polishing pad and their Correction Compound to tackle surface-level scratches and swirl marks. The results were fantastic, leaving the paint refreshed and ready to shine. To finish, I applied Meguiar’s Finishing Wax by hand and buffed it with a microfibre cloth. Job done — and the Cruiser was ready to represent.
The next morning, feeling somewhat more human, my partner and I met up with our good mate Clint and his 1HD-FT-powered 105 Series Land Cruiser in Parnell. Together, we convoyed west to the event’s location at Kumeu Showgrounds. We thought we’d be early, but as we arrived, there were already more than 40 trucks parked up — an impressive sight!
Adam Oram from Low Range Adventures was on traffic duty and kindly placed us near Sean from Weekend Warriors (the riffraff?). By 9 a.m., trucks were pouring in, and the turnout was incredible.
It was heartwarming to see so many people make the effort during such a busy time of year. The event showcased just how strong and supportive New Zealand’s four-wheel-drive community is. From chatting with other enthusiasts to admiring a variety of builds, the morning flew by.
The prize-giving ceremony wrapped things up, and as attendees began to head out, we reflected on what a fantastic day it had been. Huge kudos to the 4x4 Outdoor Expo team for organising such an event. If you missed it, make sure to get along to the next one. Supporting local businesses, four-wheel-drive shops, and each other’s builds is vital for keeping this community thriving.
Speaking of standout builds, the Ford-powered Toyota Land Cruiser FJ with its camper conversion was a showstopper. It’s the kind of rig you’d dream of touring New Zealand in. For those who saw it in person, you’ll know exactly what we mean.
We’re already counting down to the main 4x4 Outdoor Expo on April 5–6 next year. We’ll be there in full force, so if you spot us, come say g’day!
If you would like to Pre-Order our very first issue you can do so here: Pre-Order Volume 001.
Or, subscribe for a year, here: Subscribe.