For the first time, producers of the hit television show Grand Designs New Zealand will throw open the doors of their favourite architectural gems for an exclusive public event with a special partnership with Jaguar plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Coinciding with the seventh season of Grand Designs New Zealand on TVNZ 1 from October 18, Jaguar NZ is launching a series of guided luxury drives across the country to showcase Aotearoa’s most magnificent homes.  

The ‘Jaguar Design Drives’ will take guests behind the scenes to experience the innovation in design and architecture, guided by Grand Designs New Zealand’s new host, Tom Webster. 

The British-born architect – known locally for his involvement in the design of The Hotel Britomart – will take intimate groups on guided tours of Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch in all-electric Jaguar I-Pace and PHEV F-Pace, visiting houses hand-selected by the show’s producers. 

Tickets cost $1500 for two people, including a full-day Jaguar loan, light refreshments on arrival and lunch at one of the featured homes. To purchase tickets, visit iTICKET.

The ‘Jaguar Design Drives’ will offer architecture enthusiasts and fans of the show a unique opportunity to explore some of New Zealand’s most outstanding architecture, complemented by a luxury driving experience. 

For each event, Tom will welcome guests at the local Jaguar dealership where they will collect the keys to a Jaguar I-Pace or F-Pace PHEV vehicle. Guests will then embark on the bespoke drive tours with Tom, making their way to four houses located around each city. Hearing about the intricate details of each design, guests will also enjoy an exquisite lunch, created by a local private chef. 

Steve Kenchington, Jaguar Land Rover CEO, commented: “The 'Jaguar Design Drives' was a working title coined during the ideation phase of the activation with the belief that great design – be it automotive or architecture – is universal.

“Jaguar is passionate about championing innovation, it's at the heart of everything we do, so we’re thrilled to be collaborating with Grand Designs New Zealand to create an event for design enthusiasts to enjoy,” Kenchington adds.

The first two events will kick off in Auckland on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 October. On the drives, guests will be given exclusive access to houses in Muriwai, Central Auckland and Whitford, including the staggeringly beautiful Burnt Pavilion home, featured in the show’s fifth season. Lunch will be created by rising star Hercules Noble, known for his iconic sourdough, pop-ups and private chef dining experiences.

Wellington will follow on Saturday 5 November, where guests will explore homes as far as the Kapiti Coast. Among the four locations will be the Cliffhanger House, built on a precarious 45-degree cliff face in the suburb of Northland. Private Chef, Sam Pope will prepare lunch for guests, using carefully sourced seasonal and organic produce.

The final drive event will take place in Christchurch on Saturday 12 November. Guests will head to homes in sought-after locations around the city, including Scarborough, Riccarton and Tai Tapu, and the award-winning Copper Curve House in Cass Bay admired for its bold sculptural form. Chef Giulio Sturla, from Mapu test kitchen, will serve a lunch menu using locally sourced and in-season food.