The year is 1981. Troubled 19-year-old Gerry Austin finds a wallet in Kaitaia bulging with cash and uses it to rent a yellow Mini.
In Auckland he teams up with a middle-aged man known as John, whose girlfriend has just walked out on him, and the pair begin a shambolic
road trip to Invercargill.
Their exploits and ultimately doomed attempts to evade the police enter New Zealand cinematic legend as the iconic movie Goodbye Pork Pie.
Fast forward to the year 2011. A pair of Whangarei Mini enthusiasts and lawyer Kelly Johnston - who played Gerry Austin in the movie and lives in Whangarei - are about to relive the events of the cult classic by tracing the yellow Mini's route.
On the morning of Good Friday, April 22, the call "We're taking these cars to Invercargill!" will echo through the streets of Kaitaia as a fleet of up to 52 Minis embarks on the 2500km journey.
As well as paying homage to the film, which celebrates its 30th birthday this year, the 2011 Pork Pie Charity Run will raise money for Starship Children's Hospital.
Murray Hemsley and Rod Harris, both of Whangarei, organised the first charity run two years ago to mark the 50th anniversary of the Mini, raising more than $120,000 for soft tissue heart monitors for Starship.
This year they want to raise money for transport stretchers used to fly kids from all over the country, including Northland, to Starship's intensive care unit. Each stretcher costs $35,000.
Mr Hemsley said the idea was to have fun while raising funds, but participants also needed a love for the little car.
"It's quite a mission to drive 2500km in a Mini, and then you have to drive home again. It's not exactly a picnic, but you share a lot of laughs."
So far 39 Minis and one 1979 Holden police car had registered, most of which were "repeat offenders" from the 2009 event.
Members of Mini car clubs around the country would join in as the run passed through their provinces.
The route runs from Kaitaia to Auckland, then to Wellington via Horopito and Whanganui. Next is a mad dash from Picton to Christchurch, then over the Alps to Greymouth, Alexandra, Dunedin and finally Invercargill.
The event wraps up with a formal dinner and prizegiving on April 27. Go to www.porkpie.co.nz for more information or to register a team.
- NORTHERN ADVOCATE
Mini versus Holden cop car - one of the great moments in New Zealand cinema. Photo / Supplied
The year is 1981. Troubled 19-year-old Gerry Austin finds a wallet in Kaitaia bulging with cash and uses it to rent a yellow Mini.
In Auckland he teams up with a middle-aged man known as John, whose girlfriend has just walked out on him, and the pair begin a shambolic
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