This club was formed in Masterton on 6 December 1986 when Glen Bull brought together a group of riders who elected to form a New Zealand club under his leadership.  A list of addresses of known Gold Wing owners had been compiled over a period of time by Glen, Ken De Cleene and Mike Houghton, and on 22 April 1986 Glen posted letters to 50 people suggesting that our first rally be held in Masterton during the weekend of 6-7 December 1986. Back came replies from about half, so a programme was firmed up as follows:

Saturday
9 am Check In and Cuppa at Ararangi Camp, situated on the "alternative" route to Masterton coming from the North.
10 am Leave Ararangi for Quarter Mile Sprint venue. This event is being run by the Wairarapa Motor Cycle Club for the Vintage and Gold Wing rally entrants. (This is an optional event)
12 noon Lunch at Ararangi Camp. Boxed lunch provided for those who pre-order on the Entry Form. 
1.30 pm Business Session to discuss formation of NZ Club, or Branch or Section of the American GWRRA. Concours judging and photo session at Masterton's Queen Elizabeth Park.
6 pm Presentation of Awards, Book Launch, Dinner, Dance and general social evening at Solway Park Motor Inn.

Sunday
9.30 am Poker Run commencing from Ararangi Camp.
12 noon Lunch and conclusion of organised Gold Wing Rally.
1 pm Arena Trial demonstration by New Zealand's expert trials riders. Afternoon tea will be available for a small charge at Ararangi Camp, and for those still in Masterton Sunday evening, a barbeque and general evening of fellowship at 18 King Edward St.

Now the pressure was on to ensure that an interesting weekend could be offered to those who travelled so far, many of whom were "not strangers, but friends we had yet to meet". The Bull household was a busy place with Maureen facing a book launch and arranging entertainment for motorcyclists from the 1932-1962 era, while Glen concentrated on the Wingers. Melding both groups so amicably at Solway Park Travelodge in the evening was yet further proof that "once a motorcyclist, always a motorcyclist". The two groups mingled and enjoyed a high old time-ask Chris and Ruth Jones who rode their 1976 KI down from Hastings, having just heard of the event, and were in time to join in.

Saturday afternoon's business session resulted in the formation of the New Zealand Gold Wing Riders club, agenda and minutes of this inaugural meeting appear as Appendix A of this publication. Subs were set at $10 per person, and $15 for a T shirt - there can't be many clubs around where the sub costs less than your four-colour tee shirt! Steve Bristow of Auckland volunteered to submit a logo design. (However, members at the 1987 AGM in Nelson voted for a design submitted by Melvin Shaw of Invercargill.) The set of Rules and a Constitution were finally drawn up and ratified by members at the 1991 AGM in Christchurch. These have not been reproduced here as each member has a copy, and the contents are amended from time to time.

From its inception in December 1986 the New Zealand Gold Wing Riders group operated under the leadership of Glen Bull acting as National Director with Brian Scott elected as Assistant Director for 1989. However, by 1991 the membership had risen to such a level that more input was required from a larger group of people, and it was at the 1991 AGM held in Christchurch that the first election of officers was held following ratification of the Club's "Constitution and Rules" which had been thrashed out over two meetings. The original Constitutions and Rules were contained in a pale blue 10.5cm x 15cm booklet.