Unable to join the Tutukaka ride, but my wife & I have had good meals at the sports club – I think it's a combo sports club – maybe called 'Greens' or similar- round the back off the main drag behind the local dairy from memory- not down by the marina!.  Enjoy the ride!

Alex:  Bluewater Cottages between Tutukaka & Matapouri would be an excellent destination for the Tutukaka ride (IMHO).  Plenty of off-road parking up a 'challenging'(for cars) farm driveway,  large restaurant space (indoor/outdoor), a luge, small animal zoo.  Made great hamburgers/chips when we were there last year, but you would be well advised to phone them beforehand.  Entrance driveway was poorly defined and easy to pass, so get clear directions & explain who we are!.  Very friendly folk.  Sorry, email access only thru' a booking agency.  Suggest you google or look up Whangarei/Northland phonebook.

I'm tied up that weekend so will miss the ride altogether. Otherwise I would have suggested that we all turn up on the day and figure out whose doing what then.Alex if you're down in Wellington for a few days and you get a chance to do an evening meal you have to try Siem Reap, 99 Dixon Street. I was there with 9 others and we all thought our meals were superb. I had grilled chicken breat an the plate arrived with three double chicken breasts. The first mouthful was so tasty I just let it sit in my mouth for a moment. The meal was one of the best I'd had. The food scene in Wellington is pretty good.  I just spent about 22 days there.I still love Wellington.