TE WAIPOUNAMU MOTORCYCLE TOURS LTD

MOTORCYCLE TOURS AND RENTALS IN NEW ZEALAND

MOTORCYCLE RENTAL IN AUCKLAND AND CHRISTCHURCH

Over 20 years of Motorcycle Touring of NZ

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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.

Peter and Kate, Makarora, Jet Boating up the river and a helecopter return trip

Matt with Ducati near Christchurch

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

Reindert Dirksen
A Dutchman born in Egypt who speaks as many languages as there are days in the year. One of our most popular guides, he has been coming to New Zealand for the last sixteen years as a guide for the German speaking tours. Reini is a very experienced international traveller, spending only a short time at home each year. A fine connoisseur of New Zealand beer and a lover of old BMW motorcycles of which he has two; an R90S and R75/5 garaged in Rotterdam awaiting his arrival home.

Who pays the ferryman? Reindert on this occasion
Who pays the ferryman? Reindert on this occasion

Laurie with a slightly worst for wear GS.
Laurie with a slightly worse for wear GS.

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

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 is another of the all rounders
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.

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