Buying a Motorcycle in New Zealand as a Tourist
The thought of shipping our bikes to New Zealand quickly lost its appeal when we faced the reality of paperwork, costs, and New Zealand’s VERY strict biosecurity laws. Imagine spending a week scrubbing down our DR650s with a toothbrush – no thanks! So, we opted for the next best thing: buying second-hand bikes in New Zealand.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the surprisingly straightforward process of buying a motorcycle in New Zealand as a tourist. It’s easier than you think!
Buying a motorcycle in New Zealand
First of all, you can legally buy a vehicle in New Zealand as a tourist. And you’ll be surprised by how straightforward it is. All you need to kickstart this process is a valid ID.
While having a New Zealand driving license can smooth out the process even further, it’s not a mandatory requirement. Of course, you’ll need a valid license to legally ride your new bike on NZ roads, but interestingly, presenting this license isn’t necessary when you’re registering the bike in your name.
Where to look for a motorcycle?
In New Zealand, finding a motorcycle to buy is pretty straightforward. Check any dealer in the big cities, and you’ll be greeted with a variety of new and used bikes. Just give them a call, and they’ll sort you out. We nearly went for brand-new bikes from a dealer ourselves, but shipping delays forced us to change our plans.
So, we ended up buying two second-hand bikes through private sellers on TradeMe. TradeMe is the main platform for online auctions and classifieds in New Zealand. It’s so popular that even dealers list their bikes there. You’re bound to find something that catches your eye.
The tricky part might be the bike’s location, especially if it’s a bit off the beaten path. We ended up renting a car to snag one of our bikes, a 2-hour drive north from Auckland. A bit of a detour, but totally worth it.
Sorting out the paperwork
Change of ownership (vehicle registration)
The seller needs to report the sale by providing details such as your name, your New Zealand address, and the vehicle’s plate number.
Providing a NZ address can be tricky if you’re only visiting, but you can use your current accommodation address or one of the Poste Restante addresses.
For those without a New Zealand driving license, your next stop will be one of the NZ Transport Agency licensing agents.
We used NZ Post. You just need to find a branch that accepts ID Applications (you can filter for it here) and fill out one form with your details, including your New Zealand address and the vehicle’s plate number. Hand over the form, and a valid ID to the post office staff, and they will take care of the rest.
And that’s it! You now legally own a bike as a tourist in New Zealand! You can also check current vehicle ownership here, to make sure that the process went smoothly.
Vehicle licensing (rego)
You must have a current vehicle license (rego) before using any public roads in New Zealand. They are issued for up to 12 months. When buying a second-hand bike, make sure to check when your rego expires, so that you can renew it, if needed.
Warrant of fitness (WoF)
A warrant of fitness (WoF) is a mandatory check to ensure that a vehicle meets all the safety standards. When buying a bike make sure to check if its WoF is up to date, and when the next inspection is due.
You can search online for the nearest WoF agent. It usually costs between 50-70 NZD to have your WoF renewed.
Motorcycle Insurance
Motorcycle insurance is not mandatory in New Zealand, but defiently recommended. You can easily arrange it online, with one of the many providers. We used Kiwibike.
Summary
- Reach out to a local motorcycle dealer or explore the TradeMe platform.
- Complete the change of ownership process (both seller and buyer).
- Ensure the motorcycle is licensed (registration or ‘rego’).
- Verify the bike has a current Warrant of Fitness (WoF).
- Consider purchasing insurance for added protection.
Things You Need:
- A New Zealand address.
- A valid form of identification.
- To legally ride: a current driving license. No need for an international driving permit if your original license is in English.