It's Saturday morning, November 28, 2015. We’re at the Moawhango School (north-east of Taihape, Ed) for the twelfth annual scenic 4WD fundraiser.

We check in, get our number, and have a chat. Time passes quickly as the 85 odd vehicles and passengers arrive, check in and enjoy a coffee and some home baking.

The morning’s run is through Mounganui Station, then it’s through a gate with a large sign indicating we are now entering Army land.

Moawhango translates as ‘the valley of the Moa’ and as we head on down the farm track we pass Waipuna Caves (Moa bone caves).

As we reach the bottom of the hill and the woolshed it’s stopped raining and the sun is almost out so it’s time to crack open the packed brown paper bag lunches provided.

After lunch we head for Erewhon Station (Taihape) and its main all-weather track, which heads south from the yards into the property, and overlooks the Whangaipotiki Stream and down to the Rangitikei River.

Moawhango School is the chief beneficiary of the funds raised by the Maowhango 4WD tagalong event.

Money raised by the 4WD event goes towards a myriad of things around the school including swimming lessons, learning supplies, sports equipment and a school camp.

To the organizers, a great thank you for an excellent day out, and especially to the land owners and all the sponsors who assisted and made it happen.

To read the full story in the March 2016 issue of NZ4WD go to Zinio.com (on sale February 22) or purchase your own hard copy at the Adrenalin store.