Contact details
Email: wima.nz.president[at]gmail.com
About WIMA New Zealand
WIMA NZ began in 1952, initially as a satellite division of the Australian branch, with Audrey Henderson (who remains a life member, and is profiled in the former international officers section) co- ordinating the NZ side. In 1984 WIMA NZ was re-started by a group of girls from Wellington. Our first national rally was held in 1986 and WIMA grew to having branches all over the country. Over the years Wellington has usually been the largest branch. WIMA members keep their membership number for life and therefore we have over 800 members, with members coming and going. Unfortunately we have currently shrunk to just the 6 life members, however interest is starting to grow again.
Hawkes Bay WIMA ran a Wicked Wine Trail for many years. We would ride to Hawkes Bay on a Friday, jump on a bus Saturday morning to cruise around a handful of wineries to end the day with a BBQ. Always a great fun day!
Wellington and Auckland Pink Ribbon Rides support New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation, for which we’ve raised well over $100,000. Riders would dress in pink and pink-up their bikes too. Over the years WIMA NZ has also supported a variety of other charities.
WIMA NZ ran an AGM/rally for many years, with branches taking turns to run the event all over the North Island. But in the end, the rally ended up being held at Camp Rangi Woods in the Pohangina Valley near Palmerston North.
WIMA also arranged ‘Have a Go Day’, women-only track day courses, motorcycle maintenance evenings and ‘Days in the Dirt’. Areas would arrange weekends away, coffee rides and International Female Ride Day rides.
On an international level, WIMA NZ organised the international rally in Taupo 2005 and arranged the New Zealand WRWR Banner, as well as helping out and riding in the NZ event in 2019.
Slogan
‘It’s all about the curves.’
Notable members
Viv Green (#10), President
I was introduced to WIMA NZ at the very first AGM in 1984. I had only been riding for a year and became a member at the meeting – I haven’t looked back. I have made so many friends through WIMA, been pushed outside my comfort zone several times, taking on different roles such as treasurer for Wellington WIMA then NZ, and running the Pink Ribbon Rides. After 38 years, WIMA is still part of my motorcycling adventure – I’m both Wellington area rep and lately took on the NZ president role. Now WIMA NZ is in a bit of hibernation as I get things up and running again, but things are looking up with more women joining us.
Lynnda Barry (#79)
Lynnda is a long-standing committee member of WIMA NZ. She has taken the time to teach a lot of women to ride, be it on a small road bike around a car park or a trail bike in local hills. Lynnda was the first to put her hand up to help arrange the yearly WIMA rally/AGM. She has the best stories about adventures away on the bike and great photos to go with it, normally on roads less travelled.
Yvonne Forrest (#235)
Yvonne has held several positions on the committee over the years, most notable being WIMA NZ president and in 2005 she hosted the WIMA International rally in Taupo. She has also taken time to be WIMA’s voice on ACC – Motorcycle council (road safety board). She was also area rep for Hawkes Bay running some great Wicked Wine Trails. Yvonne has done track racing and has covered the length and breadth of NZ on Rusty Nuts M/c events.
