Nick Marer
NELSON DIRECTOR & DOC NELSON PRESIDENT
Nick Marer will never forget the day he heard his first Ducati. Lying in bed on a Saturday morning, he heard a rumbling getting louder and louder. He tore down the stairs to find Chris, his brother, home to visit on his 1987 750 F1.
At the age of 20, Nick had experienced his first encounter with bike lust – and it wouldn’t be his last.
Nick’s the President of DOC Nelson, and in conjunction with DOCNZ, he coordinates ride events and club nights in the Nelson area for DOC folks from all walks of life.
Pete Buss
CANTERBURY DIRECTOR
Pete was introduced to motorcycle racing by his grandfather when he was 10 years old and hasn't looked back. First racing Motocross, then Enduros, then Trials.
Back then he was lucky enough to be mentored by Don Schmidt, an ISDT rider and motorcycle engineer, where he honed his craft, not only as a rider but also a skilled motorcycle engineer.
He has been riding motorcycles for over 50 years now without a break and enjoys the inherent camaraderie that comes with it.
Pete's first Ducati was a 860GTS bevel when he was in his early 20s. Passionate about all things motorcycling he appreciates and owns numerous brands, that currently includes a road 1098S, a race 1098S and a Multistrada Enduro.
Pete looks forward to making new connections/friends at the monthly club meets and rides.
Emma Kraft
CENTRAL OTAGO DIRECTOR
Emma grew up in Sweden with motorcycles woven into everyday life. Her father spent (and still spends) countless hours in the garage building bikes, and her mother was one of the first women in their hometown to ride both road and dirt. It was inevitable that Emma would follow - receiving her f irst motorbike at just five years old.
Childhood weekends were spent at the local motocross track riding her own bike or riding pillion with her dad/sitting proudly in the sidecar of his Indian. She went on to race motocross through her early teens before teenage life briefly took priority. But motorcycles never left her system.
As soon as she could, Emma earned her road licence. Her early bikes included a retro Honda CB650 and a 1983 Yamaha Midnight Special 1100 - a bold choice that reflected her love for character and power.
After moving from Sweden to Australia in 2005 to study, Emma settled in Queenstown in 2007, where she found both home and community. Dirt biking and enduro riding quickly became part of her life again, alongside mountain biking - a passion she now shares with her three children. Two wheels have always been her language.
In 2021, while on holiday in Nelson, Emma bought her first Ducati - a Diavel 1260 and the relationship was instant. Her yellow Streetfighter V2 has since become a familiar sight around Central Otago and at track days across the South Island.
Over the past few years, Emma has served on the committee of the local motorcycle club, playing a key role in organising rides, building community engagement, and contributing to significant club growth. She believes riding is about connection as much as performance - creating spaces where riders feel welcomed, inspired, and challenged.
Emma is honoured to step into the role of Ducati Official Regional Manager for Central Otago. She brings energy, organisation, and a strong sense of community to the position, with a clear goal: to grow the Ducati presence in the region and encourage more women to confidently step into the world of motorcycling.
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Andrew Kissell
OTAGO DIRECTOR
Andrew has been battling his worsening Ducati addiction for over 25 years now , and has recently accepted what his wife has been telling him for years; that he has a problem. To this end he decided it was time to step up and connect with other similarly afflicted Otago Ducatisti, for help and support.
Andrew moved back to the south a few years ago after a long stretch in Auckland, and is currently training his kids up on the ride-on mower, so he can spend more time riding some of the excellent southern roads.
Andrew’s first Ducati experience, as a small child, was being impressed by the tiger decal on a Darmah which belonged to a friend of his father. And he can still vividly recall a bevel SS coming down the road ‘on the gas’ a few years later; the awesome sound and the classic cool looks.
That got him on the Bologna hook, and then the 750 F1 came out also, with an image ripped out of Two Wheels pinned on the bedroom wall, and still up on the mancave wall. His first bike was a Ducati, and 16 Ducs / 25 years on the F1 he restored is still his favourite ride.
His dream Ducati would be a 750 Greenframe, but with an 1199 Superleggera sitting beside it. And next winters project is converting an early Hypermotard to gravel spec, to get out exploring the South Island back country.
Andrew runs events in and around Otago, and keen to meet you soon!
Mark Burton
SOUTHLAND CO-DIRECTOR
An average southern guy who gets out on two wheels whenever the opportunity arises.
Having been a DOCNZ member for 6 years, Mark only actually bought Ducati in 2021. Call it a late blooming love affair!
Mark loves how well his 2013 Panigale 1199S performs and handles. So different to the 4 cylinders he had in the past.
Riding since getting his license in 1978, bikes run in the family. Mark's grandmother rode in the 1920’s which was apparently not the done thing… well ahead of her time obviously!
His best advice came as he starting riding, a friends father who rode and raced AJS’s and Velocettes in the 1940’s said “Remember son, invest your money in good tyres and brakes…. Everything else can wait”
And a mantra he lives by, it’s an oldie but a goodie “When going for a ride, always dress for the slide…."
Ross & Christine Bulling
SOUTHLAND CO-DIRECTORS
Ross's passion for motorcycle riding started later in life.
Motivation came from accepting the challenge to ride a two wheeled Ferrari.
At 50, the purchase of an ST3 came prior to having his motorcycle license and saw him participate in a track day at Teretonga just three days later. Here he received valuable instruction from superbike racer Aaron Slight.
In March 2014 Ross and Christine shipped the bike to the port of Vina del Mar, Chile to begin a 30-day tarmac tour through some of Chile and Argentina’s most diverse scenery.
A dream tour in 2017 was an obvious highlight, they left the Bologna factory on a 950 Multistrada to carve up the twisting roads over the picturesque hills of Tuscany for three days.
His 998fe or 1260 Multistrada is now the perfect accompaniment for the way Ross likes to ride.
Riding Ducati has been a life changing experience for both Ross and Christine and they're looking forward to coordinating club events in the region and to have some fun with other Ducatisti.
