The Jolly Good Chaps Napier to Wellington 50cc Scooter Challenge is always a lot of fun to watch. Photo / Paul Taylor
The Jolly Good Chaps Napier to Wellington 50cc Scooter Challenge is always a lot of fun to watch. Photo / Paul Taylor
The sun and heat are coming back to Hawke’s Bay, just in time for the more than 300 brave scooter riders ready to hit the highway to Wellington.
MetService meteorologist Michael Pawley said a high-pressure system was “holding pretty strong” over the North Island, bringing fine weather to the east.
Pawley said although there may be a little bit of passing clouds, Hawke’s Bay was looking at a “pretty good” weekend weather-wise.
Friday will bring sunny weather across the region, with easterly to northeasterly winds developing in the afternoon and highs in the mid-20s from Wairoa down to Waipukurau.
The fine weather carries on into Saturday, with highs remaining in the mid-20s and easterly to northeasterly winds developing in the afternoon.
That’ll make it the perfect day to attend the Multicultural Association Hawke’s Bay’s International Cultures Day or cheer on the Jolly Good Chaps Napier to Wellington 50cc Scooter Challenge, raising money for local charities.
International Cultures Day at Cornwall Park in Hastings in 2019. Photo / Paul Taylor
The 2026 International Cultures Day is a free event celebrating the diversity of Hawke’s Bay and features cultural performances, global food, crafts and community stalls at Hastings’ Cornwall Park, running from 10.30am to 4pm.
The Scooter Challenge starts at Mitre 10 Mega in Napier at 6.30am on Saturday.
From there, the “Jolly Good Chaps and Chapettes”, as they call themselves, will travel down State Highway 2 through the region, into Wairarapa and on to Queens Wharf in Wellington.
Participants can be spotted by their wild outfits and will gladly give waves, horn beeps and cheers to anyone waving at them, young and old.
Pawley said riders on the trip can expect an “overall decent ride” meteorologically speaking, but they could encounter a shower or two as they make their way down the coast to the capital.
Sunday will bring more sunny weather, with highs again in the mid-20s and light winds, with an occasional isolated shower around Wairoa.
Pawley said showers would come across the region on Monday with southerlies to southeasterlies developing, but with highs still in the mid-20s.
