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.

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.