Alan Gibbs: Luxury cars and laissez-faire economics

Alan Gibbs driving a Quadski at the Gibbs Farm at Kaipara, north of Auckland

NZ's first domestically manufactured car, the 1967 Anziel Nova

The 1967 Anziel Nova

The Gibbs Aquada - amphibious vehicle launched on the Thames in London, 2003

The Gibbs Aquada

The Gibbs Aquada

The Gibbs Aquada

2013 Gibbs Quadski - the world's first production high speed amphibian

Gibbs Quadski

Gibbs Quadski

Gibbs Quadski

2017 Gibbs Terraquad

Gibbs Terraquad

Gibbs Terraquad

Gibbs Terraquad

One of New Zealand wealthiest – and most outspoken – businessmen, Gibbs is known to most as a merchant banker who made his fortune after the economic reforms of the 1980s, and went on to fund the ACT Party.

But apart from his fortune, his forays into politics, and his patronage of the arts, Gibbs is also a life-long car enthusiast – and someone whose foiled attempts to grow a car manufacturing business in New Zealand sparked a life-long belief in free markets.

Gibbs talks to Kim Hill about his life and love of motor cars in advance of his involvement in MTA100, a celebration of the centenary of the Motor Trade Association in Wellington.