Pohutukawa Motorcycle Tours
New Zealand & North America

5 Stars
Five motorcycles, Four Tourists, One Tour Guide & A Book.
Myself & three others spent 27 days riding around New Zealand in the capable hands of Colin Rowe, our tour guide. I’d never been on a tour before so I was unsure what to expect but any worries I had were ill-founded. Once the final payment was made, a PDF of “The Book” arrived by email. We received a printed copy on arrival. A book may seem like a strange place to start a review of a Motorcycle Tour but, like so many things, a firm foundation is paramount.
The Book contained every conceivable piece of information we would require for the whole tour, from the shuttle that collects you from the airport to the one that brings you back to the airport at the end of the trip. Each day starts with a departure time, where & when we would have breakfast, fuel stops, photo opportunities, lunch details, scheduled attractions & full details of accommodation for the night. Point to point distances & estimated timing were also included, along with maps for each day.
Whilst this may sound rigid, it provided the framework to ensure we got the most out of the tour but was flexible enough to allow for those unexpected circumstances that add a little drama into the proceedings. Ferry delays, detours, roadworks & even a bike electrical fault were all handled with minimum disruption to the tour & arguably added to the “adventure”.
I could write about the incredible scenery, the “attractions” (Hobbiton is a must for LOTR fans) & the twisting roads that so many riders crave, but that is well covered on the Google reviews written by two of my fellow tourists (David Skuce & Carles Triginer), the Pohutukawa website & numerous YouTube videos.
The stand-out features of this Pohutukawa Tour were the depth of Colin’s knowledge of the country of his birth, his attention to detail & his wealth of experience.
Many Thanks to Colin & the three other tourists who made this amazing tour such a truly unforgettable experience.

5 Stars
27 day tour of the North and South, New Zealand.
It was a fantastic tour which very well organized and run. The attention to detail was very good especially the diary. It had maps for each day that we toured along with places of interest and spots to stop at along with fuel stops and places to eat. There was a good mixture of culture and history of New Zealand.

which had in it all that was needed (and more).
The trips each day were varied and there were great roads and mountain passes. Perhaps the scariest spots where coming to a spot where bollards went out into the middle of the road and returned in at the far end. What was nerve racking was coming to the part of the road where the bollard met the centre line and to look over the bollard, there was nothing. As yod rode along that part of the road, you wondered what was underneath you.

Rotorua was fascinating to see the geysers fire hot water and steam into the air. It was interesting to see how they cooked their meat. It was placed in a cabinet on top of a hot rock and cooked away slowly - just like a slow cooker. Then there was the pool of hot, boiling water and con on the cob was placed in a net and thrown into this pool for ten to fifteen minutes. We were given the corn on the cob to eat and it was delicious.

Before the tour started, I asked which was the best island to go to. Each island is unique in its' own way. The mountains in the south island are taller and more spectacular - but it is cooler as you go further south. The north island is warmer and as you heat to the northern end, it get warmer and more like the Mediterranean.

On the ferry across from the south island to the north, it is surprising who you bump into. I started chatting to this guy and I asked him where exactly where you from. He was from the county I lived in and went to school and worked with my brother.

New Zealand was a place I always wanted to visit and I thoroughly enjoyed the trip and the company and the memories of the trip will stay with me for the rest of my life.

Many thanks to Colin, our tour leader who put so much into the trip, before hand and during the trip.

5 Stars
New Zealand exemplifies how modern life can harmoniously blend with respect for people, pristine environments, and top-tier quality of life—a source of deep national pride. Its people shine with education, warmth, and courtesy, yielding right-of-way to pedestrians as a cultural norm. This motorcycle adventure across both islands reveals a nation where stunning vistas meet thoughtful infrastructure, though not without a few thrills and unexpected detours.[carbonclick +3]
Landscapes and Roads That Inspire
Verdant hills, millennial trees, and immaculate historical sites unfold effortlessly along well-maintained roads—sloped outward to shed rainwater and bustling with upgrades everywhere. Single-lane bridges demand alertness, some tucked mid-curve with scant signage, adding edge to the ride. Speed caps at 100 km/h off highways; just two free ones link Wellington and Auckland at 110 km/h, skipping the lone toll route.[travellers-autobarn]
Weather, Food, and Global Hiccups
Pleasant yet cooler-than-expected temps brought intermittent rain—never more than a few hours, but enough to drench riders heading north into warmer days. Cuisine impressed with hearty breakfasts, dinners, and superior meats like sublime ribeye, cheaper than in Europe. Beers flowed daily amid world tensions, priced at about 15 NZD each.
Comfortable Stays Amid the Adventure
4-star motels delivered spacious rooms with kitchens, fridges, and prime spots—many with pools—while west coast return legs dipped to solid 3-star options. Blackball’s simpler lodge fit the itinerary perfectly.
Two-Wheeled Tales
A BMW 1200 (102,000 km, fresh tires) proved flawless early on. Day eight brought a 2023 Honda Transalp (45,000 km): soft suspension that dove under brakes despite sport mode, a tip-prone side stand snapping the front lever in a spill, no center stand, and non-tubeless tires rendering the 15 NZD puncture kit useless. It idled tractor-like below 5,000 rpm before unleashing 95 hp—light, nimble off-road thanks to the 21-inch front wheel, though steering wobble urged caution.
Diverse Companions on the Road
Filipino-born Hippo, U.S.-raised from age 15, craves connection yet follows leads, misplacing glasses amid chats. Northern Ireland’s Anglican bishop David stays impeccably tidy, GPS-focused, and caretaking—his thick accent and reticence limited deeper bonds. Oxfordshire retiree Roy, once timid, warmed up despite slow paces, bonding with Hippo over European tales.
Steady Hands at the Helm
At 70, towering leader Colin—NZ native turned U.S./Canada expat—knows every bend, meticulously cleaning bikes and ferrying with custom straps. Service-driven yet plan-anxious (ferries, dinners), he’s bluntly trustworthy, logging incidents daily and frugally shuttling early to trim costs. North-South divides shone through: Māori heritage thrives more vibrantly up north. This ride, marred only by Iran war flight woes (32-hour Dallas return), cements New Zealand’s allure for mindful

4 Stars
Great riding around South Island for 18 days in January 2026 enjoying a wide variety of sights. The small group who were good company which is always the X factor on such trips. Bikes were excellent. Many fabulous roads. Lots of rain About 40 percent of the trip was wet. Apparently, January weather is less reliable so received wisdom is that February might be a safe bet? I am glad that I went but, had I known about the weather, I would have planned differently. Can't blame the tour company for that! One other factor which I enjoyed was mixed riding. Sometimes as a group or solo when you could plan for yourself rather than simply follow the leader which can be dull.South Island is a must for riding enthusiasts.

5 Stars
My husband and I both had a wonderful time. Colin is such a nice guy who is very familiar with New Zealand. We will likely return for another one of his tours. Accommodation’s were great. Food was excellent. Organization and communication was quite clear.

5 Stars
Colin put together a fantastic tour of the north island of New Zealand. It was a great combination of sweepers, rolling hills, tight twisties, and breathtaking scenery. It was great to have all the hotels, bike rental, and side trips planned by someone who has done it before. Colin was very knowledgeable and made the trip special. Highly recommended!

The 18-day South Island tour in New Zealand was awesome. My son & I really enjoyed the sceneries, histories and the vibes of all the places we visited. Colin was flexible to our suggestions to make certain changes or ideas along the way. We had fun and laughters everyday riding as if we were best buddies riding on weekends. Great to have known you, Colin.

The 18-day North Island tour of New Zealand was very well laid out. Far better than I could have hoped for. Colin our guide knows the island and its history so well. We all learned a lot and had a great time. Money well spent. I have done a lot of motorcycle trips this one tops them all. I will look into doing the South Island of New Zealand with Pohutukawa Motorcycle Tours.

Pohutukawa Tours
My wife and I booked an 18 day tour to explore both islands of New Zealand with Pohutukawa Tours. We had initially planned on a guided tour but decided to do a self guided tour instead. Colin and Lynette made all the arrangements from airport transfers, hotel rooms and ferry boat tickets. We arrived a few days early to get acclimated to New Zealand time and Colin was able to get our bike 3 days early so we could have a 19 day adventure. We were given a wonderful itinerary that outlined each day’s ride and restaurant recommendations and places to stop and explore on each day. We were advised of which attractions we would need to make reservations at so we would be able to get the most out of our trip. The roads he mapped out gave us a thrilling ride and beautiful scenery every day. The trip was definitely a once in a lifetime adventure.
Todd and Donna.

Just back from an amazing 13-day self-guided Canadian Rockies tour with Pohutukawa motorcycle tours. So well organized and planned for us by Colin. The best bike, the best routes and best hotels. Cannot recommend them enough for your next tours. Thanks very much Colin.

My wife and I rode the 27-day 2 Island New Zealand unguided tour in February 2024. Wow! We’ve toured much of the western US and Canada during our 40 years of riding together and this was like all the best parts of that rolled together. The riding was spectacular.
Colin was there (virtually) throughout and jumped right on a last-minute arrival change we had to make. The entire trip went as planned, in 27 days we had only one 10-minute delay that occurred at a hotel check in, that’s it! Amazing.
We might have been a bit nervous about riding a used rental bike but the professionals at Te Waipounamu had the bike well tuned and with shops on both islands it was nice knowing a repair or replacement were only a few hours away.
One of the things that made this trip so special was how every day's experience was excellent. The planning was spot on with lots of ideas for activities and recommended eating spots included in our personal travel guidebook.
Serious Rides for Serious Riders. Indeed!

I enjoyed riding with Colin & Lynette. Both are great people, so much fun!!
They are very knowledgeable about their tours; they are very safe and plan an excellent itinerary. I highly recommend Pohutukawa Motorcycle Tours.

Excellent tour. Reccomend them to anyone. Great riding good company.

Thankyou Colin and Lynette for two very enjoyable Pohutukawa Motorcycle Tours. Each tour has given us great rides and scenery, something different with each tour. Great adventures and lots of fun.
Looking forward to our next tour hopefully in 2024.

​​​​A big thanks to the team at Pohutukawa Motorcycle Tours. Another gre...at trip organized to the South Island of New Zealand. Weather at times was challenging but the organizing of accommodation and riding times was excellent. A great bunch of riders and many laughs had by all. Seen some of New Zealand's great sights. Looking forward to another trip with them. Thanks again.

A 10 "Fantastic"
Overall Impression - Perfect,
Accommodation & Facilities - Perfect,
Food - Perfect,
Location - Perfect,​
Value for Money - Perfect,
Quality of Activities - Perfect.

"Excellent Adventure "
This was a once-in-a-lifetime excellent adventure! I had a great time with Colin and Lynette, they really made me feel comfortable on my bike and I learned a lot. Wonderful camaraderie! Couldn’t ask for nicer people. All the mountain passes and the switchbacks were really great. I am a much better rider now after this adventure. Saw many amazing lands- rolling fields, landmarks (Devil’s Tower, Mount Rushmore, Black Hills, Yellowstone...). Animals too! Buffalo, deer, antelope, elk, bear, moose... Thank you for a great adventure!!

This company does an amazing tours and everything they set up such as hotels , restaurants, the roads they travel are just great. We highly recommend using them any chance you get
Positive
Responsiveness, Professionalism, Value

I opted for the self-guided 18-day tour of both islands and thoroughly enjoyed every part of the tour. It was well-organized and, although everything didn't go according to plan, it was like Colin was with me every kilometre of the trip. A last minute change of motels in one place, a change in scheduling for the ferry crossing are examples of how Pohutukawa took care of me from beginning to end and made my adventure memorable and completely enjoyable. I highly recommend New Zealand as a travel destination. It is beyond a doubt a motorcyclist's paradise!

​​​First, we are so grateful to Colin and Lynette for putting together such a wonderful trip. They really did their best to share the best of the North Island with us: great roads and scenery and sightseeing, fascinating museums and cultural displays and the glowworm cave, terrific food, and -most of all- wonderful people. We enjoyed it all more than we can say.

Our stay at the sheep station was probably one of the most memorable and enjoyable of the trip.

What a gem of a country! I especially appreciated the fact that you can still find good roads that go right along the water's edge, so you can actually see the ocean, and pause at a beach or a bay to enjoy the sand and surf and wildlife without having to dodge high-risers or go in and out and back and forth. And the Southern Alps - wow!

Our time on New Zealand's North Island was very well planned by Colin and Lynette, so there wasn't much more that we could have hoped for.

​​​​Did a tour around the North Island (Te Ika a Maui) of New Zealand (Aotearoa) with Colin & Lynette on a Pohutukawa Tours Motorcycle Tour.
Had an absolute blast. Great Company. Great accommodation. Great scenery.

I did the North Island, New Zealand tour in November 2011 with the team from Pohutukawa Motorcycle tours. Colin and Lynette were great tour guides, their organization was impeccable and the accommodation was comfortable and affordable. Their route took in some of New Zealand's most scenic sights and the roads were some of the best in the world to ride on. Looking forward to joining the 2016 tour.

Fantastic roads, beautiful scenery and terrific tour guides. Colin & Lynette showed us some of the most enjoyable countryside we have ridden through. Native bush, sandy beaches, fantastic hills made for motorcycling, wonderful people and some of the best food we’ve ever eaten. New Zealand is a motorcyclist dream and Pohutukawa Motorcycle Tours did a terrific job of showing it to us.
Rain forests, rugged mountains, thermal areas, a fantastic show by the native Maoris, wonderful accommodations (I’m torn between the 200 year old hotel with the most amazing chef or the boots on the ground stay on a working sheep farm [station] to decide which was the best), Pohutukawa Tours lived up to their claim of at least one wow factor a day and gave us the tour of a life time.

​​​​​This was my first organized tour and my first-time riding in New Zealand, and it was amazing. The scenery was great, and the roads were terrific. Colin and Lynette were fantastic tour guides and provided lots of interesting information about the countryside we rode through; this made the tour really interesting.
Pohutukawa Tours did a wonderful job and provided me with a well-planned and organized tour. I will be going on another of their tours in New Zealand.

​Great rides lined up and could not ask for a better Road Captain and Staff.