Mid Week News -08/04/2026
08th April 2026
By The Membership Officer
kiaora HOG Auckland Chapter, welcome to the Midweek News
In your Midweek News
- Mercer Ride Review
- Lets Ride Matakana
- Committee Meeting
- Bike of the Week
- Photo of the Week
- The Sheriff
- Harley Insurance
- Dealership Rewards
- HOG.com
- H.O.G Benefits
- H.O.G ABCs
- H.O.G Mileage
- Genuine HD Parts Catalogue 2026
- Performance Cycle Warehouse
- HD Dealership Links
- Social Media Links
- YouTube Links
- Magazine Links
- Health Links
- Haven Falls
- Interislander
- Notices
- FYI Rides
- Coming Soon
Mercer Ride Review from RC Kolombo
Ride to Muddy Waters – 04.04.2026 What an incredible day out on the road! We had a strong turnout at HD Mt Wellington, with 19 bikes and 2 pillions lined up, engines rumbling and ready to roll. From the moment we set off, the energy in the group was electric—there’s nothing quite like the sound of a pack of Harleys moving together. The weather was absolutely on our side—clear skies, warm sunshine, and just enough breeze to make the ride even more enjoyable. For this one, I took some extra time to map out a fresh route, aiming to give everyone a ride to remember. The result was a perfect blend of sweeping corners, technical twists, rolling hills, and wide-open valleys, all surrounded by lush, green forest scenery. Every stretch of road seemed to offer something different, keeping the ride exciting from start to finish. With very little traffic along the way, we were able to truly enjoy the rhythm of the ride—the “iron thunder” echoing through the hills, bikes flowing smoothly through corners, and that shared sense of freedom that brings us all together. You could see it on every rider’s face—pure enjoyment. We wrapped up the journey at Muddy Waters, the perfect spot to relax after a solid ride. Cold drinks, good food, and even better company made for a great finish, with plenty of laughs and stories shared about the day’s highlights. A massive thank you to our fantastic TEC, Mr Allen—your support and presence on the road make all the difference. Awesome job as always! Can’t wait to do it all again—see you on our next ride with Hugh next Saturday. Until then, ride safe and keep the rubber side down!
Auckland H.O.G Saturday Ride Matakana 11.04.26
All HOG members and friends welcome.
Depart Location: BP North Service Centre, SH1, Dairy Flat <Click here for Map>
Road Captain: Hugh 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.
Committee Meeting 13.04.26
Committee Meeting for the H.O.G. Auckland Chapter at Auckland Harley-Davidson, 521 Mt Wellington Highway, Mt Wellington, Auckland in the boardroom or upper mezzanine. All H.O.G. members welcome to attend.
Time: 6.00 pm
Bike of the Week
Photo of the Week
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”
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.
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
H.O.G ABCs and H.O.G Mileage
2026 Genuine H-D® Parts & Accessories Catalogue
PWC
Miguel Shorts
Joanne Videos
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/
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 will organise all 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.
The Interislander
Guest Speakers for Chapter Nights
To All Chapter Members:
Any suggestions or assistance with having guest speakers or subjects that you would like to see at Chapter Nights please contact anyone on the Committee
We would like to try adding this into the Chapter Night and adding some interest
Thanks, your Committee
Notices
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
Northern Pink Ribbon Ride 18th October, Wynn Frazer Paints, Whangarei 9 am
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 :
C.R.I.B (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
- 28/03/26 Chapter Ride Whangamata Beach Hop
- 28/03/26 TBC Ride
- 04/04/26 Mercer Ride
- 08/04/26 Midweek Ride Tairua
- 11/04/26 Matakana Ride
- 13/04/26 Committee Meeting
- 18/04/26 Road Captains Meeting
- 19/04/26 Chapter Ride Waihi Beach
- 20/04/26 Chapter Night
- 13-15/11/26 Thunder in the Bay — Paihia
<< Previous