Matt Payne has converted practice pace to pole position at Ruapana, with the Penrite Racing driver scoring his second of the season.
Knockout qualifying provided some surprises as the top 10 went through to compete for pole.
However, there was no surprise who the winner of pole was as Payne set a 1m 21.297s to lead the way by 0.030s from Brodie Kostecki for the Shell V-Power Racing Team.
Behind the all-Mustang front-row is the JR Memorial Trophy leader Ryan Wood in the Mobil 1 Truck Assist Racing Toyota GR Supra and Kai Allen in the second Penrite Racing entry.
Will Brown led the Red Bull Ampol Racing challenge in fifth ahead of DEWALT Racing’s Anton De Pasquale, Zach Bates in the Bendix Racing Camaro and James Golding for the Blanchard Racing Team.
Broc Feeney will charge from ninth for the Red Bull Ampol Racing alongside reigning champion Chaz Mostert in the Mobil 1 Optus Racing Supra.
Those to be knocked out in the first leg of qualifying included Thomas Randle, Aaron Cameron, Andre Heimgartner, Cam Waters, Jack Le Brocq and Rylan Gray.
David Reynolds will start his 500th Supercars race from 18th.
The opening race of Ruapuna weekend is due to begin at 4:35pm NZST/2:35pm AEST.