NZ Royal Enfield Owners Register Celebrates 30 Years

• NZREOR was formed in New Plymouth in 1996 with just 17 founding members
• The Royal Enfield community has since grown to more than 700 members nationwide
• A special 30th anniversary rally returns to New Plymouth on 20–22 November 2026

What started with 17 Royal Enfield enthusiasts in New Plymouth has grown into a nationwide community of more than 700 riders – and this November they’re heading back to where it all began.

The New Zealand Royal Enfield Owners Register is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026, marking three decades since a small group of enthusiasts gathered in New Plymouth and decided it was time Royal Enfield riders had an organisation of their own.

To mark the occasion, NZREOR will return to New Plymouth for a special 30th anniversary rally from 20–22 November, bringing the story full circle and recognising the founding members who started it all.

And things have changed quite a bit since 1996.

IT STARTED WITH A RALLY

Founder Lew Martin recalls that the idea came from seeing the established gatherings already being held by owners of other British marques.

BSA had a rally. Norton had a rally. Triumph had a rally.

So why not Royal Enfield?

Martin, along with Shorty Clement, Bruce Jury, Dave Ransome and other local Royal Enfield enthusiasts, knew of owners scattered around the country and invited them to New Plymouth for what became the first Royal Enfield rally.

They came from Palmerston North, Nelson, Paraparaumu, Wellington, Tokoroa, Paekakariki, Huntly and Waihi, joining the local Taranaki contingent.

One attendee even arrived from Nelson in a Royal Enfield-powered Berkeley sports car.

“Following an afternoon ride, seven locals and 10 visiting riders held a meeting. The New Zealand Royal Enfield Owners Register was born with 17 founding members.”

FROM 17 TO MORE THAN 700

Fast-forward 30 years and NZREOR says its membership has grown to more than 700 riders nationwide.

There are now regular rallies in both islands and active regional riding groups stretching from the Far North to the deep South, giving Royal Enfield owners opportunities to ride, meet and share knowledge.

The Register’s history also provides an interesting snapshot of Kiwi motorcycling.

The first annual rally was held in New Plymouth in 1996, followed by gatherings everywhere from Nelson and Methven to Gisborne, Opononi, Christchurch, Coromandel and Wanaka.

The 30th annual rally was held in Motueka earlier this year, while the November gathering will specifically celebrate the organisation’s three-decade milestone.

“Thirty years later, NZREOR has grown from 17 founding members to a nationwide community of more than 700 riders.”

ROYAL ENFIELD HAS CHANGED TOO

There’s another interesting element to the anniversary: Royal Enfield itself is in a very different place from where it was when the NZREOR was formed.

Back in 1996 the New Zealand group brought together riders of classic British Royal Enfields along with Indian-built machines. Today, the Register says its membership continues to grow alongside the brand’s popularity.

NZREOR has also recently begun refreshing its image, introducing a new logo and working with Royal Enfield dealers around New Zealand to grow and strengthen local Royal Enfield communities.

“Despite the changes in motorcycles, the basic idea remains remarkably similar: ride motorcycles, meet people and enjoy being part of the community.”

Thirty years later, they’re going back to where it started.

30TH ANNIVERSARY RALLY

The NZREOR 30th Anniversary Rally takes place in New Plymouth from 20–22 November 2026, with founding members set to be honoured as the Register celebrates three decades of friendship, motorcycles and shared adventures.

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