John Britten To Be Honoured With Permanent Christchurch Exhibition

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

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