Incomplete records and faded memories make it difficult to determine the precise birth date of the RCCA, though most agree that the club was likely to have been established in 1971 by Stan Birch. The Club provides a support network for owners (and soon to be/has-been owners!) of all makes of Rover cars, and what an array there is: the Land-Rover, the P1 to P6 and the SD1 to name but a few. Assistance with parts and the dissemination of technical information is high on the Club's list of activities, while outings, club nights, and social get-togethers are also commonplace.

Roverdom
Editor Kevin Phillips publishes the club magazine every month, and through a historical series called Hindsight: Reflections of the Past, has gained a reputation for his writing abilities. A typical Roverdom contains informative articles about Rover Cars, coming events, cars for sale, reviews of past trips, and reports from the president and secretary.

Library
The club librarian George Ratcliffe has constructed an impressive club library during his many years in the role. The library includes a vast quantity of technical, workshop, and parts manuals, most of which are available for loan. Additionally the Library has old Rover advertising material and popular histories, including the James Taylor series.

Website: rover.org.nz
A recent addition to the Club's services, the website exists to showpiece member's cars and the club's activities. An online library is slowly being built up, and its gallery contains many quality pictures of Rover cars and advertising.

Tools and Parts
A water-blaster, a block and tackle, an angle grinder and other tools are available to members on loan. The club's parts inventory is well stocked and covers a diverse range of Rover models. Parts Officer Michael Pellow is an expert on Rovers and ensures the correct match between car and part is obtained.

A brief history of Rover

Rover began its life producing bicycles in the late 1800's, and didn't graduate to cars until the early 1900's. Based in Coventry, the Rover Company continued to produce bicycles and motorcycles along with cars until the 1920's, when production was concentrated on cars alone. Financial dire straits nearly closed the company in the late 1920's, but a range of new models and a change of management ensured a comfortable survival for Rover in the following decades.

The Cars

Prewar Rovers are extremely rare and most are cosseted in museums. Post War, the P3, P4 and P5 all demonstrate Rover's focus on quality engineering and luxury, and while the Land-Rover may not exhibit much luxury, it practically invented the modern definition if 4x4, and must be one of the most copied vehicles ever. The P6, winner of European Car of the Year in 1963, was and still is considered a vehicle to be years ahead of its time. Along with the P5B, the P6B sported the new Rover V8 based upon a discarded Buick unit, and these durable engines were to be used not only in a multitude of Rovers, but other makes of cars as well. The SD1 maintained Rover's fine reputation and the later VDP's and Vitesses are in high demand.