The rally had been planned to be the mark of Rally New Zealand after an eight-year absence from the championship, sharing a spot with Rally Australia in the WRC calendar since 2020.[5] However, concerns regarding whether the rally should be held were raised in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[6] On 4 June 2020, it was officially announced that the rally would not be held in 2020, but a 2021 event is expected.[7]