10/09/2025
Hi fellow bikers! I've been busy, lately. For a long time of thought something had to be done for John Britten. A fellow Kiwi who did so well!
JOHN BRITTEN TO BE HONOURED WITH PERMANENT EXHIBITION - MEDIA RELEASE 10 SEPT
New museum to celebrate the life and legacy of New Zealand’s pioneering motorcycle innovator -Christchurch, NZ
To further celebrate the 30th anniversary of John Britten’s passing, entrepreneur and motorcycle racing champion Mike Pero has unveiled plans for a permanent exhibition in central Christchurch dedicated to celebrating Britten’s extraordinary life and achievements.
Opening in February 2026, The John Britten Story will be a state-of-the-art exhibition located, opposite the Bridge of Remembrance. Just steps from The Terrace, Riverside Market and Cashel Mall, the exhibition is positioned to become a landmark attraction for locals and international visitors alike.
A Legacy Worth Preserving
Best known for his revolutionary hand-built pink and blue motorcycles, Britten broke four world speed records and secured the 1995 World BEARS Championship. Only ten Britten V1000 machines were ever produced - today valued at more than NZ$2 million each—cementing their place as some of the rarest and most desirable motorcycles in the world.
Pero, a six-time New Zealand Motorcycle Road Racing Champion, is funding the project personally through a not-for-profit trust established to ensure the museum endures for future generations.
“This is about more than motorcycles,” says Pero. “It’s about celebrating John’s vision, determination, entrepreneurship and ingenuity - the qualities that made John Britten a global icon and an enduring inspiration to Kiwis.”
What Visitors Will Experience
The exhibition will showcase:
1. Original motorcycles, components, and archival material preserved by Britten’s team and family
2. Immersive audio-visual storytelling and boutique cinema experiences
3. Interactive workshops highlighting Britten’s engineering and design innovations
4. A 60-90 minute journey tracing Britten’s life—from early design projects to world-record success
Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger has endorsed the project:
“This is a unique cultural and tourism asset for our city. It adds to Christchurch’s identity and gives people yet another reason to come to New Zealand.”
Honouring a Visionary
John Kenton Britten (1950–1995) passed away at just 45 following a battle with melanoma. John’s gift of dyslexia enabled him to define what was possible in engineering and motorsport - building world-class machines on a shoestring budget from his Matai Street garage with a small, passionate team.
Pero reflects:
“John demanded excellence in everything he did. He proved that with vision and perseverance, Kiwis can take on the world - and win. I believe John was New Zealand’s answer to Leonardo da Vinci – he was well ahead of his time. And, while it may have taken more than 30 years for us to get to this point of establishing a remembrance museum, I am so proud to have the resources and support from the family and the team to do this.”
Exhibition at a Glance
1. Opening: February 2026 (open seven days a week)
2. Location: Cambridge Terrace, Christchurch (opposite Bridge of Remembrance)
3. Format: Permanent exhibition with Britten motorcycles, archives, multimedia, and interactive experiences
4. Funded & Operated By: Mike Pero via a not-for-profit trust.
5. Vision: To preserve and share the legacy of one of New Zealand’s greatest innovators
About the Britten V1000 (1991–1994)
1. Water-cooled 60° V-twin, quad-cam, 4-stroke engine
2. 1000cc (later 1100cc), 5-speed, 185hp, 138kg (dry)
3. 0–100 km/h in 3.2 seconds; top speed ~305 km/h
4. Pioneering use of carbon fibre composites and under-seat radiator
5. Multiple NZ and world records
6. 1995 World BEARS Championship 1st and 2nd place
About Mike Pero
1. Founder of Mike Pero Mortgages and Mike Pero Real Estate (brands now sold and unrelated to the museum)
2. Six-time NZ Motorcycle Road Racing Champion and former land-speed record holder
3. Co-founder of Pacific Simulators and Flight Experience, 2005
4. Managing Director of JetEx Flight Simulator in Christchurch
5. Established Mike Pero’s Motorcycle Gallery (Japanese classics) in 2017
6. Appeared as CEO on TVNZ’s The Apprentice Aotearoa (2022)
7. Now focused on aviation training, edutainment, property and an assortment of other projects
For more information contact Mike Pero 027 645 3737 or [email protected] daytime UTC+12 hours
