As a child and teenager, I always wanted to go to New Zealand. It was probably the country furthest away from Europe and especially from Germany. This was perhaps also due to the fact that an old friend had emigrated to New Zealand many years ago. I’m sure that only strengthened my desire to do something similar.
“Down Under” as they call it, or the land of the long white cloud. As you know, it is already a long flight to Australia, for example to Sidney, Brisbane or Melbourne, but then to Auckland (the largest international airport) in New Zealand, another 4 hours flight on top.
The two islands, located behind Australia, the homeland of the Māori and many immigrants from England, Ireland and Scotland. Today actually from China.
However, if you delve a little deeper into the history of New Zealand, you will soon find out that it was not the supposed Māori, who are estimated to have settled the islands between 750 and 1000 AD, who were the actual indigenous people, but rather the Moriori. A tribe that had been living there for much longer, long before the Māoris discovered and conquered the land with their simple boats from Polynesia. The Māori are said to have been man-eaters. Although not proven, this was probably the reason why the actual indigenous people died out and today the Māori are considered indigenous.
However, the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman was the first European to reach and thus discover New Zealand in 1642. But the Dutch crown had no serious interest in the two islands. Today, the sea around New Zealand is called the Tasman Sea.
It was not until 1769 that the first Europeans, or rather the English, under the leadership of Captain Cook, set foot on the North Island near Gisborne on the east coast.
And as happened so often in many parts of the world, the British, under the British Crown and the British Commonwealth, colonized New Zealand and then signed the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, an agreement between the British Crown and the Māori chiefs. In more precise words, an expropriation treaty that cheated the Māori out of all their land. And how was this possible, the Māori chiefs did not speak English. In light of this, you might understand why coexistence between Europeans and Māori can sometimes be a little tense. Also with the background knowledge that a very large proportion of today’s inhabitants are financially strong Chinese, most of whom live in Auckland. So it is not surprising that when you arrive at Auckland International Airport, you will find all the signage in English AND Chinese.
But enough of the cautionary tales. New Zealand is probably known as one of the safest and most impressive countries in the world. A country where it is nothing unusual for a solo female backpacker to spend the night with her sleeping bag under a tree in a park somewhere. And the nice thing about it is that nobody minds.
And why am I mentioning all this here at the beginning? Quite simply – visiting New Zealand is still a dream for many people. Perhaps because it is so far away from the rest of the world and still has something mystical about it. How many times in my life have I heard that one day I want to fulfill this dream?


Planning tips: What you need to bear in mind!
I am well aware that it makes no sense to visit this wonderful country with all its facets on a short trip. It’s a waste of time and pure stress. You should plan at least a month for such an undertaking. Now you also want to experience a motorcycle adventure there. Not really a problem in principle. Because New Zealand is not like South America, such as Colombia. But we’ll talk about Colombia another time.
Anyone who can speak a little English and has two hands to talk with will get through somehow. But where to start, where to rent the bikes, and so on and so forth. Of course you can have your bike shipped there by container, it would also work by plane. But do you really want to go to the trouble of shipping your bike to New Zealand by container? I’ve done it all before, back then with my Yamaha R1 when I emigrated to New Zealand. It is of course possible, but always remember that the motorcycle has to be returned, because it has to leave the country again after a year at the latest. Importation is only possible through “residency”. And not to mention the costs. If no proof of the mandatory re-export can be presented, it will be REALLY expensive. So just save yourself the stress and rent the motorcycle of your choice locally. In my opinion, taking your own motorcycle with you may make sense if you plan to be on the road for several months, i.e. if you want to take a short trip around the world on your motorcycle. I know many enthusiasts who take their motorcycles to New Zealand, including the boat transfer of course. But this article is for motorcycle tourers who want to experience a relaxed motorcycle tour through New Zealand and is not intended for globetrotters.
I am pleased to introduce you to the MotoGS WorldTours – Tour Operator portal. A project that is very close to my heart, as the founder and operator of the portal, I am lucky enough to have turned my hobby into a profession. Especially in December, during the winter season in Europe, I return to my former adopted home of New Zealand. I personally lead all our motorcycle tours there and always look forward to sharing my experiences, adventures and tips about motorcycling. As your tour guide, I speak German, English and Spanish. So you can be sure that we will understand each other well on our trip.
You’ll find everything you need to know on our website. For example, support with visa and entry requirements, the necessary insurance cover for this type of project, a precise tour description with all the necessary details and, of course, the prices. This New Zealand adventure tour takes place every year from the end of November to the end of December. Summertime in New Zealand. However, it is not 35-40 degrees in summer, as is usual in Europe. But it is a very pleasant 20 – 28 degrees. The perfect climate for motorcycling.


But what can you expect on this tour?
You will arrive in Auckland at the international airport, from where you will be picked up and taken to the hotel where you will be staying. The hotel is located very close to the airport. It is advisable to arrive a day or two before the actual start of your adventure. Your tour operator’s team will explain the reasons for this in detail at a meeting beforehand. New Zealand, for example, is 12 hours ahead of Central European time. This means that you can easily be late for departure. A little side note: Kiwis always celebrate the New Year first, ahead of all other countries in the world. Until 31.12.2022, it was still the island state of Kiribati. But due to the discontinuation of daylight saving time there, this small island nation now celebrates the New Year first, together with New Zealand and Samoa.
People there are already celebrating when lunchtime has just begun in this country. And some Kiwis know better than Europeans what partying means.
Now that you’re at the hotel, you’ll get to know the other bikers and the rental bikes will be ready for you to inspect and take possession of.
Then it’s off you go. You will get to know a side of New Zealand, i.e. the North Island and the South Island, over a total distance of around 6,650 km, which you would probably never have been able to get to know on your own. And why that is, your tour guide has lived in New Zealand for many years and therefore knows every corner of New Zealand. And what is even more important, he has the necessary contacts and friendly relationships with the locals, which may be necessary or required at times. So you are in the best of hands. Not only will you always be on the road, but you will also have the best opportunity to be introduced to New Zealand life with the locals. And that alone is 100% worth it.
As already mentioned, your tour starts in Auckland and from there you first travel along typical New Zealand roads to the northern tip of New Zealand, where the Tasman Sea in the west meets the Pacific Ocean in the east.

Two important points should be mentioned at this point:
- In New Zealand, as everywhere in the British Commonwealth, left-hand traffic prevails. But you probably already knew that.
- The New Zealand police are very strict when it comes to adhering to the prescribed speed limit and this also applies to motorcyclists in particular. Anyone who thinks, for example, that an oncoming, i.e. a moving police car, cannot do anything to someone who is exceeding the speed limit is truly mistaken. In New Zealand, the police use radar to measure your speed from a moving car in oncoming traffic. Experience has shown that arguing with the police is pointless. With a prescribed speed limit of 100 km/h, for example, if you are traveling at 106 km/h, you are already part of the chosen circle and liable to pay.
Despite all this, I once had an impressive experience in relation to this “purposelessness” and was able to experience New Zealand’s peculiarities and habits, especially with a police officer. His name was Matt, a Constable with the New Zealand Police.
I was heading north from Wellington to Auckland and had of course seen the oncoming police car and was well aware that I was speeding. But I thought it shouldn’t be a problem, as I was used to it in Europe or anywhere else. But I was fatally mistaken. After the police car had driven past me, the driver of the patrol car had immediately stopped, turned around and followed me with “blue and red lights” for the purpose of stopping.
As always, of course, with a HOLDEN Commodore, an Opel offshoot. However, contrary to my expectations, a very pleasant conversation ensued, as Matt the policeman realized that I was from Germany and that it had always been his dream to visit Europe one day. It’s also important to note that MANY New Zealanders have never actually left their two islands. Perhaps they have only just made it as far as their neighboring country, Australia. Some people also talk about the locals’ “island fever”. However, Matt had heard that there are no speed limits on many stretches of highway in Germany, for example. So it was simply a “free ride” and actually unimaginable for him! The moral of the story, after a thorough explanation of the facts and his knowledge that German car and motorcycle drivers are somewhat more experienced than the locals, he actually turned a blind eye in this case and let me off without a fine.
But now for the punchline, which would never have happened in Europe and especially in Germany. Matt actually asked me when I was going back to Wellington from Auckland and I told him the following Saturday. He then gave me his private telephone number and address and invited me to his home for the following Saturday. And what was so special about that day? His wife was celebrating her 38th birthday that day and his house was full of family members and friends. That’s the New Zealand way of life. I’m sure something like that wouldn’t have happened to me in Germany.
But things can also go differently, I was stopped again on another route. An elderly female driver had called the constables on a special number and told them that I had overtaken her in an aggressive manner. ME? Well, in New Zealand almost every overtaking maneuver is considered aggressive. Result, search for the license plate, pulled over and ticketed. And all because of a phone call.




My conclusion about New Zealand
But now to the actual topic. The tour, or why I have written all this down here? To tell you the truth, New Zealand is simply a dream, especially when it comes to motorcycling. Nowhere else in the world have I seen so many happy people when they have spotted a group of motorcyclists. It doesn’t matter how old the bike is or how loud it is. The only important thing is that it has 2 wheels and hums. At every petrol station, at every rest stop, at every opportunity, the locals, whether young or old, male or female, come up to start a conversation with you. And each of these conversations is friendly and entertaining. You will experience unforgettable moments on these tours, have fabulous views of these gigantic landscapes and learn to appreciate the uncomplicated life of the Kiwis.
What are you waiting for? Treat yourself.