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Jonathan Kennett - A journey through NZ made bicycles

Cycling historian, author and all-round bike nut, Jonathan Kennett, has written a history of locally made bikes, and industry that once thrived in every New Zealand city.

The Wallaby full suspension bicycle built in 1889 by Frederick Gough of Coventry Cycle Works in Christchurch.

A Bell ladies loop ‘roadster’ build in 1932 by Bell Cycles in Christchurch for Nurse Maude.

A Leader Superbe racing bicycle built in 1928 by Clarkes Cycle Works in Newmarket, Auckland. Photo courtesy of Adrian Thornton from The Flying Wheel.

A 1978 Raleigh Twenty, built by Morrison Industries in Hastings. Similar, but not identical to the Raleigh Twenty’s made in the UK.

A track bicycle built by Eddie Bosomworth of Rotorua in 1984. Eddie was one of the most prolific frame builders of his time.

One of five carbon-fibre road racing bicycles built by Graem Pearson in Rotorua, specifically for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. This one was raced by New Zealand Olympian Graeme Miller.

A 1988 cycle touring bicycle built by Brian Phillips while working in the Cycle Trading Company in Christchurch. The was built for long-time cycle tourer Pip Oldham.

A KeeWee downhill mountain bike built by Trevor Porter at his factory in Horsham Downs, Waikato in 2005.

A tandem gravel bike built by master frame builder Jeff Anderson (Jeffson) of Rotorua in 2021.

The images in this gallery are used with permission and are subject to copyright conditions.