Motorcycling New Zealand (formerly the New Zealand Auto-Cycle Union) commenced operations as the governing body for motorcycle sport in New Zealand in 1916. The New Zealand Auto Cycle Union(NZACU) was formed after the North and South Island Unions decided to join forces to help stimulate motorcycling sport and to draw up rules for the safe conduct of the sport. Records show that informal meetings took place as far back as 1911, but it was on April 22, 1916 at Napier that an informal meeting was held to get things started. Then on June 3 at Palmerston North a meeting was held to draft up the rules.
On August 16, 1916 the first Annual Meeting was held at Dannevirke where the rules and regulations were adopted. The first President was Gus Torstonson, H Osgood was Secretary and L .Lloyd as Treasurer. The affiliated clubs were Palmerston North, Ashhurst Sports Club, Woodville, Napier and Hamilton.
1917 saw Stuart Erskine as President and Mr Lloyd as Secretary. Then in 1918 Mr Torstonson was returned as President for two years with Mr Lloyd as Secretary / Treasurer.
Mr.A.E Davey was President for a two year term starting in 1920. At this time the general fund stood at fifty pounds, four shillings and sixpence, with the benevolent fund at two hundred and twenty four pounds, nineteen shillings and eleven pence.
Grass track racing was a feature of the twenties and early thirties and were held on racecourses. The names of C Goodwin (AJS), Tom Morgan (Harley Davidson) and H Moller (Norton) were prominent over the years but to one man – Percy Coleman on a Harley Davidson, belongs the title "King of the Grass Track". He won the Heavyweight championship 10 years in succession.
In 1921 Mr. Arthur Way of Marton took over as National Secretary, a position he held for at least 15 years. At the 1921 conference in Auckland Mr. W. A Spragg was elected as President, a position he held until 1935.
In 1925 the Unions rules were revised and they were incorporated under the Incorporated Societies Act.
