Highlands Sustainability Story
Our promise is the Exceptional
Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell is a world-class facility offering experiences that match its international stature.
Nestled amidst the stunning Central Otago hills, it's more than just a racing track. The facility boasts a 650m outdoor Go Kart circuit with Single and Tandem Karts, National Motorsport Museum, the famous Loo with a View, fun 18-hole mini-golf course and a fully licensed Café, all surrounded by well-manicured grounds that link onto local cycling trails.
You might wonder how a business of this scale in this industry can create a positive outcome for its community and environment.
The team at Highlands ensure every visitor experience is something exceptional. With a gold Qualmark Award they are recognised as one of the best sustainable tourism businesses in New Zealand, however Highlands have taken this to an extra level with their ongoing commitment to their community through corporate social responsibility.
Since being established in 2013 by owner Tony Quinn, Highlands has been deeply committed to giving back to the Cromwell community that has shown unwavering support for the business.
Charities and local community events supported by Highlands:
The Aston Martin Vulcan is exclusively used to raise funds for various charities, with a once-in-a-lifetime lap in this car auctioned off. To date, it has raised over $170,000 for charitable causes.
Contributions to the development of New Zealand Motorsport success through the Kiwi Driver Fund and the TQ Foundation Scholarship.
Ongoing support for national charities Cure Kids, Ronald MacDonald House and Prostate Cancer.
Camp Quality visit Highlands each year giving sick children and their caregivers the full Highlands experience, including rides in Supercars for FREE!
Regularly providing opportunities for individuals and families facing difficult times to escape and fulfill bucket list dreams.
Donations collected for Prostate Cancer through the famous Loo with a View are matched dollar for dollar by Highlands.
Host an annual free Easter egg hunt for the local community, distributing thousands of eggs.
Host an end of year Go Kart battle for Year Sixers from local primary schools, offering $5,000 worth of Go Karting for free.
Deliver a heavily subsidised YOUTH Winter Drive Experience for local young drivers in recognition of the challenges winter driving in Central Otago poses to new drivers.
Committed to funding mental health first aid workshops for local Cromwell school students, paying for a social worker to work in the Cromwell community for a period of five years, and to provide a series of ASK Schools Programs to enable connections with students around mental health.
“We wanted to play a role in being the “gate at the top of the cliff. The aim is to ensure that every child gets the right tools from the beginning to have strong mental health.”
Alongside the local community support, the Tony Quinn Foundation (TQF) was established in 2021. The goal of TQF is supporting young Kiwi’s with the talent and determination to make it on the world motorsport stage. With trustees comprising well-connected industry players, the foundation provides financial grants and support ranging from grassroots to elite levels of motorsport. TQF is offering unprecedented support in New Zealand motorsport. Well known young driver, Liam Lawson, is among the list of grant recipients assisting his journey to compete successfully at an international level.
The most recent commitment from the Tony Quinn Foundation came about following the tragic death of Kelan Stroud a 17 year old from Cromwell in a devastating three vehicle accident. In the wake of the tragedy the Stroud family reached out to Highlands to launch a give a little campaign to support young drivers through practical education.
On top of the generous contributions by the community and businesses, the Tony Quinn Foundation Road Safety, is providing a $750,000 three-year support package partnering with Supercars and Street Smart to fund the driver education programme Street Smart - a programme designed to impart crucial learnings to New Zealand’s most inexperienced drivers. Beginning in July 2024 funding will see the Street Smart programme resume over school holiday periods, for local young drivers at Highlands Motorsport Park. “It will save lives.”
With its diverse range of offerings and unwavering commitment to community support, Highlands Motorsport Park truly embodies the spirit of New Zealand.
