Also, I’m keen on arranging insurance via formal membership of this august club 😉 though it’s a bit chicken and egg 🙁 I need to own the bike to join the club to get club rate insurance – but I need to get the insurance to get the bike.

Welcome to the board, Scott.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe you can join the BMWOR club without owning a BMW bike. But without voting rights. Whether this membership then gets you club rate insurance or not, probably only the insurance company can answer, but since the insurance is for a BMW bike I can't see why they shouldn't.

There are supposed to be tie downs available on the ferry, but bringing your own can still be recommended. The NZ-made Aerofast are some of the best available, at least of the ones I've used for transporting bikes.

Regards, Arne