M&M Collection

Some people collect stamps, while others are more into coins or action figures. Brett McKenzie collects real, life-sized tanks – and luckily for the people of Upper Hutt, New Zealand’s number one tank enthusiast is more than happy to open his shed to anyone who wants to check them out.

Born out of a fervent passion for armoured vehicles, this one-of-a-kind journey began with Brett’s interest in the video game World of Tanks. Gameplay sparked curiosity, curiosity led to a hands-on opportunity to drive a Soviet T55 and British Centurion in Christchurch, and from there, the fascination with tracked military vehicles became something much bigger. Today, that enthusiasm fuels every visit, and M&M Collection is the only place in New Zealand where you can ride multiple armoured vehicles, from a World War II tank to a Unimog 4-wheel drive truck.

There’s no rigid script or museum-style shuffle from plaque to plaque. Instead, each visit is tailored to the group. Questions are encouraged, stories flow freely, and the experience is as much about conversation as it is combustion engines. The goal is simple: that guests leave with a deeper understanding of New Zealand’s armoured history and some truly unique memories.

With more than 10 vehicles spanning from World War II-era tanks through to armoured personnel carriers still in service, visitors can ride in multiple machines and experience a moving timeline of military engineering. It’s the very definition of hands-on and immersive. Birthday parties, team events, and special functions are all catered for, offering something far more conversation-worthy than the usual drab corporate outing.

There are not many places where history rumbles to life beneath your feet. At M&M Collection, the past isn’t kept behind glass cabinets – it’s fired up, steered, and driven across the yard with a grin.