Mid Week News -19/11/2025

kiaora HOG Auckland Chapter, welcome to the Midweek News

In your Midweek News

• HOG Rally Review
• Lets Ride Chapter Ride Parakao Store
• Bike of the Week
• Photo of the Week
• Harley-Davidson Insurance Services
• Dealership Rewards for Auckland Chapter Members
• HOG.com
• H.O.G Benefits
• H.O.G TM Benefits
• Chapter Links
• Dealership Link
• Social Media Links
• YouTube 
• NZ Blood 
• MDN
• Magazine Links
• Health Links
• The Sheriff 
• Notices 
• FYI Rides 
• The Head Road Captain
• The Historian
• Coming Soon

Back from the HOG Rally, time in the seat gives you time to think - what's next.

Click on the image below

National H.O.G Rally Palmerston North Review from the M.O Friday Part 1, 14.11.25

D'mon and Tiger left home at 8 AM, excited for our thrilling ride to the H.O.G Rally. The weather looked promising for the trip, but our first stop would be in Northcote to put on our wet-weather gear, as we noticed dark skies and rain over the CBD. The rain would only last until we reached New Market, but would reappear intermittently throughout our ride down. Many of our chapter members were making the trip to the rally, either in small or large groups, or even solo, with some leaving two or three days prior. We planned to connect with Cammo & Casy, Trude, Phil and Kat in Bombay. Taking the standard route along SH1 to SH39, we travelled south through Whatawhata, Pirongia, and Otorohanga, onto SH3, eventually reaching our first stop at Te Kuiti for fuel and lunch. While rain threatened at times, we were fortunate to avoid it as it passed by. Continuing on SH3, we turned onto SH4, riding through the scenic rolling hills to Taumarunui, where the rain finally arrived soon after. Fortunately, it only lasted about ten minutes, after which the skies cleared, and the sun broke through. Due to the time getting away from us, we changed our planned route from Raetihi-Whanganui to go via SH49 through Ohakune to SH1 towards Waiouru. We stopped at Taihape for a fuel and snack break, and just as we were leaving, Dealer Principal Greg Pratt rode into view and joined us for the remainder of the trip. An East Coast member, Kirstyn, also caught up with us shortly afterwards, but would soon blow us by. Interestingly, we didn’t see any other riders during our travels; it seemed everyone must have been ahead of us on the road.

Continuing along State Highway 1, we passed through Mangaweka and Ohingaiti, where the stunning white cliffs of the mighty Rangitikei River always amaze me. However, as we approached Hunterville, the winds picked up, becoming quite gusty. This blustery weather accompanied us all the way to Bulls and Sanson, but thankfully calmed down by the time we arrived in Palmerston North. We parted ways with our little group, and Dee and I headed to our accommodation at the Alpha Inn Motel at 5:30 PM. There, we met up with quite a few of our chapter, with 20 of us staying at the motel. They had all registered earlier and were now heading into town to explore the restaurants and bars. After settling into our room, Dee and I made our way to the Awapuni Racecourse. Though we had missed registration, it was great to reconnect with some of our chapter members and friends from other chapters. The venue was lively, filled with conversation, laughter, live music, and delicious aromas wafting from the food carts. As the sun set, it became quite chilly, but that did nothing to diminish the vibrant atmosphere. Dee and I enjoyed smoked brisket burgers and potatoes with cheese, which were absolutely delicious. We left the racetrack at 8:30 PM and headed back to the Alpha, stopping along the way to grab a carton of CCs. Our room was spacious and well-equipped, providing all the essentials and a warm ambience. An added bonus was a café just 8 meters from our room, where we could all have breakfast in the morning. Good night! - Part 2 next week.

PS: If you would like to write and share a review accompanied by a few images of your H.O.G Rally experience, please email me at 

membership@aucklandhog.org.nz

Please click on the top image for our closed Facebook page for more photos.

Click on the images below from the official photographers of the H.O.G Rally event.

There are also several images posted by our members and from the other chapters, including the NZ Harley Riders - United We Ride page.

  

Auckland HOG Sunday Chapter Ride to Parakao Store 23.11.25

HOG Auckland Chapter members only. Join us as we return to Northland to visit the Old Parakao Store.

Note: this is a Closed Ride, which means it is only open to current HOG Auckland Chapter Members or, by invitation, current members of other HOG Chapters. If you are not a current HOG Auckland Chapter member and want to sample a ride with us, then please consider trying one of our short-distance Saturday rides or, better yet, sign up and enjoy all the benefits, including our full range of rides and activities.

Depart Location: Z Silverdale <Click here for Map>
Depart Time: 9:30 am
Road Captain: James to lead
Note: Event end time is a guide only.
The RCs brief takes place 10 minutes before the ride begins.
Please ensure your bike has a current WoF and Registration.
Pillions are welcome to join the ride.
Back patches and rockers are optional.
Ride safe and have fun.

Bike of the Week

Photo of the Week

 

HARLEY-DAVIDSON INSURANCE SERVICES

*HARLEY-DAVIDSON INSURANCE SERVICES is a trading style of the Swann Insurance business division of IAG New Zealand Ltd
and policies issued under the trading style Harley-Davidson Insurance Services are issued, administered and underwritten by IAG New Zealand Limited.
Contact the Sales Team at Auckland Harley-Davidson for more information or to sign up.
Key Features & Benefits
Features & Benefits: Full Cover HOG Member

•  Agreed value policy (inclusive of GST)
• 24/7 Emergency Roadside Assistance
• Riding apparel cover $10,000 ($5000 for rider & $5000 for pillion)
• Accommodation cover following an event up to $500.
• Drive Belts (must be sudden external cause)
• Club & Track Day cover
• Transit cover
• Up to $500 to transport the motorcycle to the nearest repairer following an accident.
• Windscreen & Lenses
• Fatal Accident cover up to $5,000.
• Medical expenses up to $500
• Cover for a replacement motorcycle, valued at less than $65,000 for 30 days from the date of purchase.
• Keys & Locks ($1,000 with a $100excess)
• Optional Named Rider cover
• $20,000,000 Third Party Liability cover
• Faultless Excess
• Flexible payment options
• Transfer of car No Claims Bonus to motorcycle up to a maximum of rating 2 (for riders over the age of 21 with a full motorcycle licence)
• Plain language Policy Wording and Proposal
• Coverage throughout New Zealand

Policy Excesses

An excess is an amount that the insured must pay in relation to a claim under the
Policy.
There are five types of excesses: -
Basic Excess
(or standard excess) is $500 (unless stated otherwise on the schedule)
Age Excess
is based on the age of the rider at the time of the accident. For riders under 25 years
of age, the age excess amount will be $500 (unless stated otherwise). The age excess
does not apply if the motorcycle is stolen.
Licence Excess
Applies to any riders with a Learner or Restricted licence on a LAMS approved
motorcycle. Excess amount $500
Theft Excess
If the motorcycle is stolen, an additional theft excess of $500 applies.
Special Excess
Is usually imposed because of, riding history, claims experience and type of
motorcycle insured. Varies from rider to rider.
N.B. These excesses are added together in the event of a claim. For theft claims, the
insured does not pay any age or licence excess.

Dealership Rewards for Auckland Chapter Members

Auckland Harley Davidson are very excited to offer the following extra financial benefits to our Auckland Chapter Members.

REWARD MILES POINTS - Double Rewards points on Genuine Parts and Accessories.

This now also includes Double Rewards on Labour!!! Rewards Points are instantly redeemable.

FYI Double Rewards Points = 10% saving.

Birthday Voucher - Double Voucher for your Birthday each year (complete the form to
register). Standard customer =$10 voucher. 
(Present your $10.00 Birthday Voucher and this will be doubled)

Mothers Car/Bike Care Products - Auckland Chapter Members also receive an Automatic 10% off all Mothers Car/Bike Care Products.

Please Note: To take advantage of these benefits, you must be a current financial member of the Auckland Chapter Harley Owners Group (H.O.G)

Reminder: Harley-Davidson Insurance Services offer great benefits to all H.O.G members including a discount on the premium to be paid. More info is available from the Sales Teams at Auckland Harley-Davidson.

Note: To take advantage of the Auckland Harley-Davidson Auckland Chapter benefits, please present your current Chapter Membership Card (available on Member Jungle).

Please be fair to the staff even if we know you.

Auckland Chapter

Waikato Chapter

East Coast Chapter

Central Districts Chapter

Wellington Chapter

Christchurch Chapter

Deep South Chapter

H.O.G Benefits

H.O.G.TM MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
ASSOCIATE MEMBER | $60 PER YEAR
FULL MEMBER | $95 PER YEAR
H.O.G.TM Membership Card
H.O.G.TM Rallies/Events Member Check-in
H.O.G.TM Chapters
H.O.G.TM Ladies of HarleyTM
H.O.G.TM e-Newsletter (Tailored for NZ/AUD Market)
H.O.G.TM Merchandise available from Chapters
H.O.G.TM Members Service Center
H.O.G.TM Mileage Program
H.O.G.TM Patch/Pin
Harley-Davidson MuseumTM Free Admission
H.O.G.TM ABC's of Touring Contest
EagleRider rentals and tours
Safe rider skills recognition and discounted programmes
H.O.G.TM 10, 25, 35-year member recognition
The Enthusiast Magazine
Chapter Organized Events, Rides, Social Get Togethers, Weekends away, Charity
Events, Monthly meetings,
H.O.G.TM Discount on Harley Assist
H.O.G.TM Discounted Insurance (IAG/Swann underwriters)
H.O.G.TM New Travel Portal (hotel/motel discounts)
H.O.G.TM NZ Ferry Crossing Discounts (unique to NZ)
Meeting new people and forming great relationships
Being part of the biggest brands in the world
Great Rides with other like-minded people
New Adventures to be found and roads to ride

 

 

 

HughBeRiding 

Miguel Shorts

Joanne Videos

Deanos Motorcycle Rides 

Nigel nimbul1rides 

Hurunui Coasters

 

Laidlaws - All videos

 

Harley Davidson - All videos

Ride Like a Pro

Magazine Links

  

Health Links

Thank you to those members who have donated blood, your contribution has helped save 214 lives. Click on the link to learn more.

 

MDN 

 

Trevor Jenkin

National Executive Chairperson, Northern Branch Chairperson &

Calls 4 Charity Ltd Director

Muscular Dystrophy Association of New Zealand

419 Church Street East, Penrose, Auckland 

PO Box 12063, Penrose, Auckland 1642
0800 800 337 |  021 267 4380 | Charity Number: CC31123
facebook.com/MDANationalOffice | www.mda.org.nz

About Us

Haven Falls Funeral Home is a family owned and operated funeral home.
We have over 20 years of experience in funeral planning and are here to assist
you and your family through your time of loss.

We understand that mourning the loss of someone you love, is an event that
can be challenging both mentally and physically, whether expected or unforeseen.
You can trust that our professional staff will ensure all your practical
requirements are met in a caring and professional manner.

Haven Falls Funeral Home’s will organise all of the necessary arrangements
and our caring and helpful staff are on hand during the service and
beyond to make sure everything runs smoothly and efficiently.

Click on the above image for more information.

https://www.havenfalls.co.nz/

The Sheriff

Reminder – Don’t forget to drop your mates in it for those little incidents, accidents and infractions. The money obtained/extorted goes to the Chapter Welfare Fund and is used to assist Chapter Members who have had the not-so-little incidents and accidents.

Email the sheriff sheriff@aucklandhog.org.nz

or call/text  021 959 026

“Never let any truth or facts get in the way of a good story”

Notices

Southern Roar 2026 – CROMWELL 20/22 March 2026

REGISTRATIONS HAVE NOW OPENED

Southern Roar '26 - Cromwell, 20-22 March

Get ready for one of NZ’s premier H.O.G. events in the stunning Central Otago, get in quick as they always sell out!

QLD STATE RALLY in Mackay

DATE: Friday 1st - Monday 4th May 2026

Any enquiries should be sent to madhogs@bigpond.com 

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1210029844495455&set=pcb.1282530539932698

FYI Rides 

Bike Night — The Original Kaipara Tavern 20.11.25 and every 2nd Thursday

The Head Road Captain

What Our Chapter Can Offer You If You Are A Less Experienced Rider
 
The Auckland Chapter is here to foster members to Ride and Have Fun. We have a
number of options as listed below. We encourage all members to join in, with the caveat
that they are able to ride comfortably at the posted speed limits applicable on the ride. As
we are not licensed instructors, we cannot be there to teach how to ride, but to provide a
safe environment for all our members.

What we can and do offer.

In all cases, check out the event calendar on Member Jungle (MJ) for full details.

• Sunday morning Laid Back Coffee rides – This ride offers a shorter distance at a slower pace with riders of a similar level of experience to you. It provides an opportunity to meet possible “riding buddies“ and to experience the camaraderie that is part of our Chapter culture.
• Opportunities to find like-minded people and other riding buddies.
• Occasional Sunday brunch events - these are not so much a ride, but again an opportunity to socialise and meet other Chapter members at all levels. Also, we encourage you to come along to Chapter Nights. This is another opportunity to meet other members, find out about Chapter events and locate riding buddies.
• Pathways to obtain training and rider skills :

CRIB (Chapter Riding Information Briefing) – This short Saturday morning
session gives you the information you will need on how to ride with the Chapter. Important
protocols such as staggered formation riding and corner marking etc are explained. 
Riding Courses - Our safety officer will provide information, pathways and
links to promote riding courses such as the ACC Ride Forever programmes e.g. Pro Rider
bronze and silver courses. These courses are ideal for learning a variety of techniques to
help you not only to enjoy your riding but be safer on the road. Once you learn the skills
you can then spend time on your own (or with your riding buddies) practising them and
gaining more confidence, so that eventually you can handle one of our group rides. Chat
with other Chapter members to see what suits and be ready to ride and have fun.
 
What Level Do You Need to Reach Before Joining A Group Ride
 
Riding in a group may be a new experience for you. That is why the CRIB meeting is so
important, as you will learn the way a HOG ride is organised, see the notes above. Riding
is all about confidence, and we want to help instil that in our membership, and another
reason we promote the Ride Forever courses, as none of us are perfect. Please feel free
to talk to any of the Road Captains, or any other committee member if you have any
questions about group rides. We want as many riders as possible to enjoy the
camaraderie, to reach our destination safely, and then return home.
If you feel your level of ability and confidence is to a point where you want to “graduate“ to
say a Saturday afternoon ride, you need to be able to consistently keep to the legal speed
limit applicable to the various roads the ride will traverse. 
If for any reason you come on a ride and you are unable to keep up, as we only have a
certain amount of time available, the Road Captain may not be able to wait for you.
However, if that were to happen, you would always be welcome to make your way directly
to the venue at the end, at a speed you are more comfortable with. Pre-ride briefings
and/or a chat with the Road Captain/Tail End Charlie can help you understand what is
happening.
There is nothing as unpleasant or potentially dangerous than feeling you have to keep
up with others. It is important to at all times ride your own ride and not someone elses ride.
Remember to Ride and Have Fun.
Tony Horrocks (Hotrocks) - Head Road Captain

Wanted - Road Captains

If you are interested and think you have the ability and commitment it takes, or you would like to know more, please contact the Head Road Captain or see him on Chapter Nights or on our ride events.

Registration for Rides

You will have noticed that for certain rides, we encourage members to register for themselves and any pillion they are bringing. This applies to Chapter Rides, Hard Arse Rides, Casual Coffee Rides, or any other rides at RC's request. 

Hard Arse and Casual Coffee rides are usually limited to maximum numbers for accommodation, food or organisational reasons. Chapter Rides are not, but the RC needs accurate numbers on the day for the lunch venue.

If members wish to register for any of these rides, we ask you to observe the following:

1. If you find you can’t make the ride, please remember to cancel your registration, as this may allow someone else the opportunity to ride. 

2. Do not register for another person’s bike. If your mate is coming on the ride, they need to register separately. The Road Captains ask that you follow these simple guidelines out of courtesy and fairness to all involved. 

The RC needs accurate numbers on the day of the ride for meal/ catering purposes. On restricted numbers rides, if you don’t cancel, you may well cause someone else to miss out if the ride is full. Thanks for your cooperation. 

Tony Horrocks (Hotrocks) - Head Road Captain 

Email: roadcaptain@aucklandhog.org.nz. 

History Wanted 

Articles are written from memory, old stories and articles. Any and all of which can be faulty. If you have more precise information, then let me know.   Joe 90

Did you know?

That the Auckland Chapter has a small treasure trove of ‘old’ material in its archive? You would think that this makes the job of creating articles about the Chapter’s history a walk in the park. Do not get me wrong, it certainly helps. Especially when I get questions about ‘the early days’. But sadly, this archive is incomplete. In the time that I have been Historian, I have found that the most useful source of information has come from old Chapter Magazines. Or should that be the most accurate information? In this respect, the Chapter has been incredibly lucky (and I am incredibly grateful) to a couple of early members who kept copies of those magazines. Ross Pennell (Rosco), Mike Swales (Trouser) and Terry James (Divot). Have all given to the Chapter their accumulated copies of the Chapter magazines. In the case of Ross and Mike, we have a virtually complete set from the magazines beginning in the last months of 1990 through to August 1995. Terry has provided us with magazines from early 2003 until mid-2009. It so happens that Ross was the Chapter’s 2 nd Director and is still a Chapter member. Mike, who passed away recently, was a graphic designer by trade, and it was his artwork that graced the magazine cover for many years, as well as being the logo for the 4th NZ National HOG Rally in Auckland in 1994. All of these early magazines were printed and distributed every month. We did not have the internet or texts so the monthly ride calendar - printed in each issue – was THE source of ride information. They also contained ads for members wanting to buy or sell parts or clothing. The post-ride reports were often the best bit of the magazine and highlight that some things haven’t changed, ride reports often mention the rain. At some point in the late 1990’s printing and copying methods had improved to the point where a lot more photographs could be reproduced, with the best pic each month being used on the cover. In May 2007 the cover of the magazine got printed in colour. Six months later the whole magazine was in colour. In late 2009 or early 2010 the Chapter went digital and the monthly magazine was sent out by email. It still contained the all-important ride calendar but this was now supported by the midweek text reminder about the upcoming weekends activities. In September 2018 the Chapter moved onto the Member Jungle platform with its event and ride calendars available 24/7. Member Jungle and the expanded midweek news text service resulted in the Chapter deciding to produce the magazine quarterly. 

All of this brings me back to the subject that I had intended to cover in this article: The Auckland HOG Chapter in 2000 – 25 years ago. But it was not to be. Why? Because we have nothing to work with. And not just from 2000. From July 1995 until February 2003 (that’s a 7½ year hole), we have zero magazines. What I can say about Auckland HOG in 2000 is that it ran a bloody good 11 th National HOG Rally at Ellerslie Racecourse (17-19 November). I know this because Bugsy and I were there from Central Districts Chapter. But that is hardly enough to fill an article. Sadly, the 1995-2003 gap isn’t the only one. The magazines from August 2009 until December 2012 magazines are also absent. This was the end of the printed magazine and the start of the digital era. So what I’m asking is: Were you in the Auckland Chapter 1995-2003, or 2009-2012, and do you have Chapter magazines from those times? Either printed or digital? Do you know anyone who was in the chapter at those times and has copies of the magazines? If yes, would you/they be prepared to give them to us – or let us copy and return them?

Contact me on historian@aucklandhog.org.nz