Words: Richard Edwards
Published 13 August 2026
Giltrap Group will take over retail representation of Volkswagen and Škoda on Auckland’s North Shore from 1 October, ending Tristram European’s 19-year tenure with the brands in Wairau Valley.
Volkswagen will be based at Giltrap Group’s 150 Wairau Road site, while Škoda joins Audi and CUPRA across the road at Diana Drive, bringing the Volkswagen Group’s brands together in one North Shore precinct.
The consolidation mirrors the multi-brand model Giltrap Group has refined over decades on Great North Road in Grey Lynn.
The arrival of Volkswagen at 150 Wairau Road follows Giltrap Group’s announcement in July that it will end its 17-year representation of Kia on the North Shore, with Kia North Shore operating until 15 October before a new representative takes over that franchise. The Kia exit clears the way for the Volkswagen Group brand consolidation at the site.
“Bringing these four brands together on the North Shore is about delivering the best possible level of customer service. It is a great opportunity for Giltrap Group,” says Giltrap Group chief executive Steve Kenchington.
Tristram European, led by Mark Hayward and Wayne Leach, has championed Volkswagen and Škoda on the North Shore since its Wairau Valley site opened in 2007, weathering challenges along the way including the January 2023 Auckland Anniversary floods that inundated the Wairau Valley area. The business will continue to represent both brands from its West Auckland and Whangarei operations.
Giltrap Group acknowledged the contribution Hayward, Leach and the Tristram European team have made over the past 19 years, during which both brands have grown substantially, and says it has worked closely with Tristram European to ensure a smooth transition. For existing owners, both brands say nothing changes other than the location.
