Mike Lester is the MD and has been a motorcyclist since way back.

“I was born with a pair of handlebars in my hands and Castrol in my veins! I've been riding bikes since 1965 and over the years I've owned a multitude of bikes including Triumphs, Blackbirds, and Harleys. I have a passion for all things motorised and my prized possessions currently include a couple of Triumph TR classics and my Honda 750 Four.”

Mike is the CEO and owner of South Pacific. Be prepared for lots of bike talk if you're lucky enough to meet him when you pick up your Moto. 

Previously an electrician in the UK, Mike moved to New Zealand in 2002. Trained to an advanced level by the Institute of Advanced Motorcyclists, Mike is a superb motorcyclist and passionate about riding safe but still having the best time of your life.  Mike loves passing on his vast riding knowledge to our tour guests who may want to improve their ride and often joins in on fully guided tours.
 

Carole is one of the company directors and has lived in New Zealand since the 1970s and extremely proud to call Christchurch home. She offers you her 'manakitanga', her hospitality, and will probably be the one who meets you first when she collects you from your lodgings or the airport. Carole excels in Customer Service and is a strong supporter of  New Zealand Tourism's Tiaki Promise, in other words doing everything possible to care for, protect and preserve everything that's good about New Zealand so that it can be enjoyed for future generations.  . Carole’s enthusiasm and dedication to high quality has helped South Pacific Motorcycle Tours New Zealand become the best motorcycle touring company in NZ.

Carole got her full motorcycle licence at the ripe old age of 53 and has a message for all ladies thinking of moving from the passenger seat to rider’s seat – "do it!" Her favourite motorbike on the fleet is the Triumph Bonneville T100 Classic, all tuned up and fitted with full race exhaust.

Kim is Carole's daughter and the Operations Manager at SPMT. When you make an enquiry with South Pacific you will receive a prompt reply personally from her. Kim's customer services and inter-personal skills are exemplary and she consistently succeeds in making all our clients happy. Like everyone on the team Kim's an excellent rider and her favourite bike on the fleet is either the Royal Enfield or the T100 Bonnie. If  Kim gets the chance to tour with South Pacific she's there, and is catalyst to making any great tour a completely outstanding one.  Kim is an animal lover and passionate about all things New Zealand.

With a background in Media and TV Production, Kim brings a wealth of skills as well as her enthusiasm to the company.

Nathan manages our workshop and joined the team 2022. He brings with him over 16 years of mechanical and engineering experience, with an in-depth knowlege of the internal combusion enginesand experience in fault diagnostics, electrical work, drive train, suspension, fabrication and final assembly. Nathan is the reason why your motorcycle is presented to you in a shiny tip-top condition and ready to roll.  Nathan also runs his own business and owns several bikes including a V-Rod and a Yamaha R1. If you see Nathan lurking around the depths of the workshop be sure to pull him out to have a chat!

My name is Leighton and I've been around bikes my whole adult life. I currently own a Triumph crusier, Suzuki adventure bike and a Harley (hopefully more to come!) 
I strive to learn something new on every ride and love discussions around the finer points of bike control. With a hospitality back ground and a passion for riding bikes in this fabulous country, I find it a privilege to share our greatest highways with visitors from around the world. 
 

Molly will probably be first in line to greet you. She's our resident cocker spaniel, extremely friendly and loves any attention given. 

However please be aware that she loves to steal socks and will be inspecting your bags once opened! On a serious note, if you do not want or cannot have Molly around just let us know and we'll make sure she stays in the house.   
 

South Pacific Motorcycle Tours is extremely privileged to have Chris, aka Captain Carefree, as one of our Tour Guides.  He is a very likable and socialable guy as well as being a very experienced motorcyclist who has been guiding motorcycle tours all over the world. 

Born and bred in New Zealand, with a wealth of knowledge and experience, you can be assured you will be shown not just the typical tourist stuff but some hidden secrets only known to Chris as well. 
 

Hi! I'm John Macdonald and have been riding for over 40 years. It all started when I was 17 as a way to have fun with weekend trail rides but also as a means of commuting as it was cheap transport to and from work. I ride for sheer pleasure doing 20,000 kms in New Zealand each year.I have taught and encouraged my wife to ride as well, so she rides a 650 V Strom to go along-side my 1000cc V Strom.

I am a rider mentor and, like Mike, I'm an advanced rider and observer under the Institute of Advanced Motoring system (IAM). Currently I am the chairperson of the Nelson Motorcycle Safety group here in the Top of the South where I live, looking at ways to make our region safer for motorcyclists.

If I am lucky enough to be your tour guide it will be my pleasure to show you parts of NZ that will truly amaze you