Richie Stanaway strayed wide at the final corner, swiping the wall and causing damage to his left-rear suspension which forced him out of the rest of the session.

The remaining two sessions were claimed by stablemates, Lee Holdsworth and Chaz Mostert, to complete a Tickford Racing sweep of practice.

Hometown hero, Shane van Gisbergen, took pole position for the first race of the weekend, not long after spinning off at turn three in the final practice session.

In January 2020, it was announced that the New Zealand leg of the championship would shift from Pukekohe to Hampton Downs Motorsport Park.

The reasoning given for the shift was as a result of legislation which prevents the Pukekohe circuit hosting racing on Anzac Day.