Mr Zech and his wife, who was following behind her husband, were in a group of 19 friends heading to Taupo on their motorcycles when the accident happened on the Aberfeldy section of the Parapara, SH4, at 1.30pm on Monday.
The group had just passed though a section of road works that was controlled by traffic lights, diverting all traffic into the southbound (right) lane. At the end of the road works the group moved back to the left, with the exception of Mr Zech.
To avoid an oncoming southbound 4WD, Mr Zech swerved. However, this resulted in him crashing.
Mr Zech was taken to Wanganui Hospital by St John Ambulance but died later from his injuries. Yesterday his body was taken to Palmerston North for a post-mortem examination.
The German Embassy was assisting the family.