
This is what clients have to say about Competence Zone’s NZTA registered Instructor – Neil
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09 Nov 2024
Dear Neil,
I wanted to express my heartfelt thanks for the exceptional service you provided. Your depth of knowledge and extensive experience in motorcycle training were evident in every aspect of our sessions, and it was truly inspiring to work with someone of your expertise. You are not only a highly capable trainer but also a gifted mentor who knows how to convey complex information in an accessible, engaging way.
Your professional and caring approach created a welcoming environment that made learning both enjoyable and effective. It was clear that you are deeply invested in each learner’s success, which fostered a high level of confidence and motivation in me. Thank you once again for all the support, encouragement, and invaluable insights you shared throughout my training. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from you.
Warm regards,
Saeid
6 May 2024
Dear Neil,
I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for your exceptional dedication and guidance in helping me become a better motorcycle rider. Your commitment to motorcycle rider safety and your extensive knowledge of motorcycle behavior have truly made a significant impact on my journey.
From the very first lesson to the advanced techniques, your attention to detail and emphasis on safety have not only enhanced my skills but also instilled in me a profound sense of responsibility on the road. Your ability to blend serious instruction with laughter and camaraderie has made the learning process both informative and enjoyable.
Thanks to your expertise and support, I feel more confident and competent as both a restricted and full license rider. I am deeply grateful for the time and effort you have invested in my growth as a rider. Your passion for motorcycles and commitment to excellence are truly inspiring.
Once again, thank you for everything, Neil. I look forward to many more miles of safe and enjoyable riding, knowing that your teachings will always guide me.
Warm regards,
Bryan Keoghan.
3 March 2024
Good day Neil .
I just want to thank you and recommend to others for your quality of work . I came in as an off road racer thinking road riding would be a breeze . The attention to detail has made me feel far more safer on the road . Your explanations where thorough and easily to follow . You have plenty of patience and your number one priority is for safety on the roads . I learnt a lot and thank you for it . Cheers .
Craig Bushney
December 2023
Thanks very much for making me a better rider. As an older guy coming into your training from the basic skills handling to the full license level I felt a bit like I knew what I was doing. However you have taught me a lot more which even today during a ride I was putting into practice. You’re not a box ticker but someone who genuinely cares about the riders out there. Keep at it Neil. Thanks very much for skills and the laughs along the way.
28/12/2023
Hi Neil
Review = I have done basic handling,restricted and fill lisence with Neil. Neil have so much knowledge and he will explain everything step by step. Don’t worry if miss something or need some clearifiaction on your doubts please ask neil without any hesitation . neil is their to help you and want you to pass.I was nervous before my tests. Neil clear out my douts and told me calm down do it step by step. So i highly recommend Neil. If you looking to do motorcycle licence.
Thanks
Ajay
30/10/2023
28/09/2023
20 July 2023


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Tuesday 16/08/2022
REVEIW: Neil Ahu
Kia ora Neil, well where do i begin? I will definitely begin with a huge Thankyou to you for your professional approach shared with me from my basic handling test in Ormiston. Thankyou for giving me confidence to complete that part of my journey also explaining to me the next steps in acquiring my licence over to setting my restricted, although it began with a bump in the road but Kudos to you Neil your were able to reset the situation and get on with the bizzo. From this i have created good memories from this experience and i know i have made another good mate out on the road, So again Neil thankyou again and i will see you indue course. nga mihi o te wa ki a koe, Neil A.
Comment From Neil:
Thank you for the review Neil. You are a quick learner. You did really well in the test. Bumps in the road are a part of life. We both handled it well and got on with the tasks at hand. See you soon.
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Hey Neil, (Monday 25/07/2022)
Sorry this took a long time to get done but it is in two parts one the second is the review of which you can leave in or take out whatever you need to.
The first is just to say thank you. I know I said this on the day but I wanted to thank you for encouraging me to learn how to ride. after 16/17 years of riding on and off I really had over evaluated my skill on a bike (especially as you pointed out my rural riding). I had really become complacent with how I rode and now I see that there is always something I could be learning or doing better. I also wanted to thank you for being a really awesome instructor and just and all round great guy. I learned a lot on our day of licencing and appreciated that you didn’t push a timetable (in fact the opposite you gave me way more time than I really paid for) and that you took the time to explain in detail why I was wrong about assumptions I had.
Anyway on to the review:
Whether you are going on a ride forever course or getting restricted/full licensing Neil is the guy. I have been I have been riding for 16 years without any formal training and going to my full licence with Neil was incredibly difficult but it was only possible because of how Neil went out of his way to explain things in clear detail and dispel a lot of wrong ideas I had. for anyone in a similar situation DO YOUR RIDE FOREVER COURSES. And do it with Neil. For the love of god do not mention the word apex because Neil will explain to you why that isn’t a good term to use, and if you argue the point, you are just taking long to realise Neil is right. In short Neil is an incredibly knowledgeable, friendly effective instructor and he is on your side. he wants you to pass as much as you do. Thanks Neil, I couldn’t have done it without you.
end review
Comment from Neil:
Thank you for your review Robert. It is always a pleasure to coach a learner who is willing. You were fully engaged with the CBTA-6F and did well in the assessment.
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Firstly I’d like to say thanks to Neil for the time he spent with me today going over the refresher before the test. As well as the information he presented to me about what the course consists of it was a much needed reminder thanks Neil… on to the test it was a great test that covered all the necessities of the restricted license. Neil was vary calm and supportive in his approach to teaching me as well as testing me, not once did I feel he was aggressive or short with me which made me calm and able to focus on my riding, upon finishing the test he gave me positive feed back on a few things I need to up skill more on to which I have taken fully on bored.. overall I recommend Neil to anyone looking to either start out riding or like me need a refresher course.. I’m glad to say I passed my restricted test ,with that said j will be back to take part in the bronze course with Neil so I’m able to upskill more on my weak points before I sit my full license with Neil.
Really appreciate you Neil until next time Alec
Submitted: 06/07/2022
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“Knowledge, Experience, & Confident are the words that struck me when I concluded & passed my CBTA for my Restricted Licence with Neil.
Neil is certainly very competent, encouraging, and an excellent teacher.
I would 100% recommend Neil without any doubt to a possible motorbike rider.”
G.S Singh
Review Received: 06/04/2020
Note From Neil: Mr Singh was assessed prior to the Covid19 lock down. His review, as published was received during the Lock down period. No coaching or assessments was conducted during the lock down period.
“I wasn’t sure what to expect when preparing for my BHST. I’ve ridden motorbikes in the past but never road bikes. Neil was fantastic at building the foundations, refining a couple of bad habits and genuinely had the best interests of building skills to help me a rider, not just for the test. Highly recommend”
13/01/2020
“Hi there, I had a great session with Neil. I did the basic handling skills test and found Neil to be very professional, friendly, safety conscious and encouraging. He is there to get you to pass and is very patient and thorough and kind. I was able to have a bit of a break between the lessons and the actual test ride which made all the difference to keeping calm and riding on.
I definitely recommend using Competence Zone.”
cheers
Laura 
I had an awesome time learning and gaining my BHS certificate with Neil. He’s very knowledgeable and patient with teaching. Look forward to getting my restricted!
Pete Marsden
Wed 2019/10/23 05:39
- neil@competencezone.co.nz
What can I say about Neil and Competence Zone? Awesome pretty much sums it up for me, I went to Neil for the Returning Riders Training. I had not ridden in a couple of years, so before just jumping back on the horse I thought it would be a great idea to do a little refresher course. Well I can tell you it was the right decision to make.
Neil asked me what experience I had and how long I had been off the saddle, taking that into account he make the two hours to make me feel a whole lot better riding in and around the Auckland area, along with tip and new techniques to help me in ways that I hadn’t thought possible. I had no idea the way I had been riding was so “poor”. Neil gave me so much more confidence in such a short time that I am going to be going back with him to sharpen up my riding skills even further.
the advice that Neil gave was easy to understand, with excellent communication roadside and on the open/urban areas. The next step for me when ready will be the Advanced Rider Training in the very near future, “maybe after a couple more Refresher Courses.”
Thank you so much Neil for all the advice, and I look forward to using your company again in the very near future.
Cheers,
Kent
Dear Neil
Just a quick note to let you know how pleased I am to have taken a Course under your wings.
To say that I was shocked at the intensity and engagement of the training is an understatement. I am amazed at the volume of knowledge that you successfully pumped into me in such a short time.
Your methodical and structured style of training and attitude is a credit to you. Most important of all, your altruistic intent for us to ‘learn and understand’ and become a better and safe rider has been evident all through, right from the beginning, through to the end. I must offer my sincere gratitude to the pains that you took to deliver the course and hone the message of being a “Confident and Safe Rider”.
You have taught me things about riding and safety that I had never even thought about before, not only that, but you dedicated some real time to MY TRAINING i.e. pin pointing my vulnerabilities and you made sure that my safety procedures was second to none.
The training with you was extremely enjoyable. Your instructions were easy to understand, and your radio equipment was crystal clear.
Neil, once again thank you so much for the excellent training; it has been an absolute pleasure meeting you and learning to train with you. I look forward to recommending you to as many people as possible.

I am currently doing some premium coaching with Neil, getting ready for my restricted licence. I am confident and going for it soon. Thanks for the very valuable upskilling sessions, Neil!

I started off wanting to ride a motorcycle but not knowing how to. I contacted Neil who taught me how to ride a bike from the very basics. His patience, knowledge, skill building training sessions and encouraging attitude made me confident enough to go and get my Basic Handling Certificate and my learners licence thereafter. I totally recommend him!