What we do
The Kennett Brothers (Jonathan, Paul and Simon) collaborate on a range of cycling related projects. They are currently focused on optimising the public use and enjoyment of cycle trails and mountain bike tracks throughout New Zealand. To achieve this they are writing and publishing guidebooks and articles on cycling.
The Kennett Brothers also design cycling/walking trails and project manage their construction. They have been working on the New Zealand Cycle Trail project since 2009: Paul on website mapping and Jonathan as a project manager during the trail construction phase.
What we’ve done
Since the mid 1980s, the Kennett Brothers have helped pioneer the sport of mountain biking by organising the first national race (The Karapoti Classic), publishing the first mountain bike magazine (New Zealand Mountain Bike Magazine) and writing the first mountain bike guidebook (Classic New Zealand Mountain Bike Rides). After exploring every rideable track in the country, they started designing and building new tracks and were employed to develop Wellington’s award winning Makara Peak Mountain Bike Park.
PUBLISHING
The Kennett Brothers have published 9 cycling history books and 15 cycling guidebooks since 1991.
RECREATION POLICY CONSULTING
We have been employed to help develop sustainable mountain bike policies and feasibility studies for the Department of Conservation and councils in Wellington (regional and city councils), Nelson, Golden Bay, Auckland and Brisbane.
FOREST RESTORATION
From the mid-1990s we have organised forest restoration projects such as Makara Peak Mountain Bike Park in Wellington, Project Kaiwharawhara at Otari Wilton’s Bush and Project Rameka near Takaka. We are qualified in botanical ecology and also have experience in restoration monitoring and pest control.
RIDES AND RACES
In 2016 Jonathan posted an open invitation for anyone interested to join him in riding 3000 km from Cape Reinga to Bluff. He mapped out a route that included most of New Zealand’s best cycle trails and avoided main roads whenever possible. The first Tour Aotearoa brevet attracted 250 people who averaged 20 days on the bike to reach Bluff. Two years later the number doubled to over 500 starters, and in mid-2019 there were more than 800 signed up for the 2020 ride. You can read more about it in our book Tour Aotearoa – New Zealand’s 3000 km bikepacking odyssey. And the great thing is you don’t have to wait for an event to have a go – the route is open to ride all year round at your own pace.
Paul started the Karapoti Classic race in 1986 when it was the first national mountain bike race. He called it the National Off Road Bicycle Championships and 48 people turned up. Now it attracts more than 1000 riders. We sold the event in 2005 and now enjoy just racing in it. In 1997, we organised the Wellington World Cup in conjunction with Sports Impact Limited – this was a mission. We pulled in world and Olympic champions to race on Mt Victoria. It was a raging success. We also helped organise the 2006 XC World Mountain Bike Champs in Rotorua.