|
|
 |
|
Te Waipounamu is the Maori (native) word for the South Island and literally means
greenstone water. Greenstone was a highly valued possession of early Maori because of
it’s beauty and hardness. We began business in 1987 and steady expansion has lead to us now having a
fleet of over 70 motorcycles, 30 of which are BMW and a solid core of experienced staff. Our staff have all been involved for at least 6 years and have a wide
spread of interests with a common thread of motorcycling, knowledge of New Zealand,
relaxed Kiwi attitude to life and a real wish to help visitors enjoy this country.
John and Alison |
John Rains
Founded the company in 1987 and has since found out the only prerequisites needed for
the job were mechanical skills, marketing skills, people skills, employer skills, a sense
of humour, the occasional ‘ blind eye ‘ and the ability to fix punctures in the
rain. Widely travelled in Europe and North America on motorcycles. Doesn't design award winning websites but enjoys meeting people and riding motorcycles. Personal motorcycle is
a Laverda SFC1000 which is sitting forlornly in the corner of the workshop after ignominously breaking down in Kingman Arizona, en route L.A. to Chicago. Has recently been seen on a 2006 Triumph Speed Triple. Happily married to Alison.
.
|
|
|
Peter & Kate Colwell
Retired farmers from inland NSW Australia, who now have 30 trips to New Zealand under their
belts. A sensible approach and sense of humour has made them favourites. Peter's
journalistic skill have seen his articles published in Australian and USA motorcycle
magazines. Widely travelled on motorcycles in Europe and North America. July will see Peter and Kate off to do a loop of Colorado and the Rockies. Currently Peter
and Kate ride a BMW R1200GS. |
 |
 |
Matt Rogers
Originally from Dallas Texas, Matt has been in New Zealand since
1985 and even Americans think he’s a local now. A graduate in Commerce Accounting
& Computing the skills attained are conveniently intermingled with a high level of
organisation and attention to detail which keeps the office and operations base in
Christchurch running while everyone else is on the road. Widely travelled in North America
and currently riding a Ducati 996S. |
| Matt with his '63 Chrysler Newport |
|
Who pays the ferryman? Reindert on this occasion |
Reindert Dirkson
A Dutchman born in Egypt who speaks as many languages as there are days in the year. He
has been coming to New Zealand for the last five years as a guide for the German speaking
tours. Single but with a large female fanclub that has trouble keeping up with his
international movements. He has a weakness for Speights Old Dark beer and old BMW
motorcycles of which he has two; an R90S and R75/5 which are garaged in Rotterdam awaiting
his arrival home.
|
|
|
Laurie Bycroft
Dual Sport Specialist, Laurie is a New Zealander who resides in Queensland during the winter. His experience and enthusiasm have made our Tours a real success.
An eye for an interesting route and the ability to fix a problem miles from anywhere make him an invaluable member of the team. Has just restored a Suzuki GS1000S as his transport of choice |
Laurie with a slightly worse for wear GS.
|
|
|
Steve with the restored RG400
|
Steve Bailey
Steve is the unsung hero behind the reliabilty and sweet running of the fleet. Each bike is completely stripped down during the winter so every nook and cranny is greased, lubed and oiled.
Steve has a long history of racing and wrenching but typical of mechanics his own machinery languishes in the corner waiting for some spare time. In this case it's an RG400 Suzuki and it's finished. Currently zooming around Christchurchs Port Hills on a Yamaha TDR 250. |
|
|
Rex Knight
I suppose in a large corporation Rex would be designated Customer Services Representative or something along those line. For us he's just the guy who makes sure the bike is prepared and ready to go and you are prepared and ready to go.
Rex is one of those lifelong motorcyclists who when you visit him has a Triumph Trophy in his hallway and a large Honda off roader in the spare bedroom.
Currently resident in Christchurch because of work commitments, he also maintains a property on New Zealands wild West Coast when he feels the urge for some solitude. He splits his time between the Auckland and Christchurch offices and is happiest when aboard whatever he can grab from the shop.... He is widely traveled in Australia and North America.
|
Rex Knight - helping one of our younger tour members. |
|
|
Perry Rees - Hard at it |
Perry Rees
Perry is another of the all rounders which are essential in this type of business. An organised mind and a tenacious grip on details are vital with so many differnet things on the go. Some people call it multi-tasking, we just call it another day at work.
A long history of motorcycles means he can turn a hand to helping out in the workshop and his former position of CEO at Britten Motorcycle Company means he is well travelled and comfortable with the needs of overseas clients. Perry spends his spare time fishing and out and about on his 06 Speeed Triple.
|
|
|
Sheryl Hunter
Can't spell for peanuts but has tremendous accounting skills, a sense of humour, and a great deal of patience that is required to cope with Matt and John in the office. As part of her renumeration with Te Wai Sheryl has unlimited access to the company chocolate (dark) and once she attains her learner bike license will be
able to take home any 250cc bike of her choice from the fleet.
Nothing is too good for our staff!
|
Sheryl who assists Matt with the financial controlling |
|
|
AKA- Pam |
Pam
Also known as Pammydog comes to work each day with Alison and has settled into the day to day life of a workshop dog. Protecting the property from cats, greeting visitors to the business, and following the sun around all day she has a tough life. Pam is reknown for her ability to sing, and could very well be the reincarnation of Maria Callas. She can hit a high C easily when ever a siren is close by and having a 3 octave range is nothing to sniff at!
|
|
|
|
Back to Top |
 |
|
