Look out, John Kirwan's coming! On a Vespa! Photo / Tania Whyte
You may not have recognised ex-All Black John Kirwan as he puttered through Whangārei yesterday.
That's because the rugby coach turned mental health campaigner was riding a Vespa motorscooter.
The fleeting visit was part of Motorally Aotearoa, which is raising money and awareness for the Mental Health Foundation.
Twelve mates, most of them riding the classic Italian-built two-wheelers, left Cape Rēinga yesterday morning.
After a short stop at Whangārei Town Basin they planned to spend the night in Auckland then make it to Taihape by this evening.
All going well they will reach Bluff on April 24.
Kirwan rode the Northland leg of the rally; along the way the convoy will be joined by other motorcyclists and scooter aficionados.
The participants are Auckland-based company executives and directors plus a surgeon.
The riders aim to raise $100,000 by the time they clock up the last of their 3071km. They hope to make the rally a biennial event.
The thousands of visitors at Uretiti Campground have to dodge flooding after heavy rain.