Issue date
Dear Members
I have plenty of great news to touch on in today’s edition of David’s Desk!
The Advocacy win – Did you see our news about the Advocacy win in Northland?
Recreational boaties and yachties visiting the Northland region are assured of safe access to popular anchorages, harbour entrances, bays of refuge and navigational routes thanks to the collective advocacy efforts of Yachting New Zealand, the Auckland Yachting & Boating (AYBA) and Northland Yachting Associations.
Following a significant and favourable decision from the Environment Court in June last year there will be changes made to the Regional Coastal Plan for Northland, and the ramifications are expected to benefit recreational boaties nationwide.
Member Card Feedback – it’s all good!
Close to 50 affiliated yacht clubs are now signed up with the Yachting New Zealand member card scheme and feedback is excellent. We’ve heard positive reports from Clubs about the card’s usefulness as proof of affiliation at regattas, and about the support being provided from our end by Member Card Coordinator Julie Sutherland.
If you received your card but have not yet put it to use, take a minute or two to look at the discounts and benefits you can access as a member card holder here. And don’t forget that the Yachting New Zealand app is a great way to check the latest news, as well as the details of member card benefits.
Something to look out for is an update coming from one of our member card partners GoFuel!
If your club is yet to sign up for the member card please get in touch with Julie who can answer your questions. Check our staff page for Julie’s contact details.
2016 Youth Sailing World Championships – coming to New Zealand!
You will have seen or heard the news that the 2016 Youth Sailing World Champs are coming to New Zealand. This is very exciting, and plenty of work is underway to ensure we deliver a successful event together with World Sailing.
World Sailing’s Alistair Dickson and Daniel Smith have just been in New Zealand and their insights and assistance in terms of fast-tracking the process in the unique circumstances has been terrific.
Oceanbridge NZL Sailing Regatta – mark it in the diary!
On 12 May we officially announced that the inaugural Oceanbridge NZL Sailing Regatta will be staged in February 2017. The brand new regatta is set to become the launch-pad for the next generation of New Zealand’s Olympic sailors with a dedicated focus on Olympic and recognised youth classes.
To be held annually the inaugural Oceanbridge NZL Sailing Regatta in 2017 will be held in Auckland on Waitangi Weekend between 4 and 6 February. The 2018 edition will be held in Wellington, with a plan to rotate the event base annually between Auckland and the capital city.
Aon – Massive savings and great offerings from our Insurance Partner
Two years into our partnership with Aon I am delighted to report that close to 50% of Yachting New Zealand affiliated yacht clubs have switched to Aon for their Club Insurance and are reaping significant savings as a result.
The average saving across the Yachting New Zealand affiliated Clubs who have switched to Aon for their insurance cover is 20%.
In fact the savings Aon are offering on Club insurance costs are so good that other sports clubs across the likes of tennis, hockey, triathlon and squash are now getting on board with Aon.
I highly recommend that you speak with Aon when your Club insurance is up for renewal. Get in touch with Sam Gunn around six weeks in advance of renewal for a quote.
At the same time as offering great deals on insurance Aon are also supporting youth yachting in New Zealand, which is just brilliant... check out this video featuring sailors from our Aon Fast Track Programme in action.
ZHIK Flagship store opening today in Auckland
Finally I want to congratulate our official clothing partner ZHIK on the opening of their new flagship store in central Auckland at Victoria Park Market. If you’re in Auckland pop along and check out their range of technical and casual kit.
Kind regards
David Abercrombie
Yachting New Zealand Chief Executive
