Issue date
Our NZCT regional development managers bring you the latest updates from their respective clubs around the country, starting with a reminder about the upcoming Yachting New Zealand Annual General Meeting we'd love for your club to attend.
2025 Yachting New Zealand AGM: How to register, attend and vote
The 2025 Yachting New Zealand Annual General Meeting is fast approaching - and here's everything club members need to know before Saturday, 15 November.
When and where is the AGM being held?
This year's AGM will take place from 10am to 12pm on Saturday, 15 November 2025, at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in Auckland.
It will also be held online via Zoom to make it easier for clubs around the country to participate.
You can join the meeting from 9.45am using this Zoom link.
Who can attend the AGM?
Every affiliated club is invited to attend.
If you're attending as your club's nominated voting delegate - either in person or online - please complete completing this online club delegate attendance form before 5pm on Wednesday, 12 November 2025.
Only one voting delegate per club is allowed - typically the commodore or vice-commodore, unless a proxy has been officially assigned.
If you're not voting on behalf of your club but would still like to attend in person, please email Angela Jordan at angela@yachtingnz.org.nz no later than 5pm this Monday (10 November 2025). If you're joining online, simply use the Zoom link above on the day - no separate registration required.
If your club's commodore or vice-commodore is unable to attend but your club still wants to vote, they can assign a proxy by completing this online proxy voting form before 5pm on Wednesday, 12 November 2025.
What's on the agenda?
In accordance with Yachting New Zealand's constitution, voting delegates will be asked to approve or vote on the following:
Confirmation of the minutes of the 2024 AGM.
Appointment of the auditor.
The proposed 2026-2027 affiliation fees (link below).
Election of one board member - either Nick Gillies or Anne Marett (short nominees bios below)
How does voting work?
All voting delegates (whether in-person or online) will be asked to provide their email address when registering through our online forms. On the day of the meeting, they'll receive an email link to access each motion for voting. Voting can be completed on a computer or mobile device.
For those attending in person, Yachting New Zealand staff will circulate the room to assist with any technical issues or questions.
Support will also be available for online participants during the AGM.
Northcote Birkenhead Yacht Club won this year's competition with their impressive F50 replica.
Next Gen Challenge returns: win a SailGP behind-the-scenes experience
The SailGP Impact League Next Gen Challenge is back, offering 10 young winners the chance to enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes tech tour at the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix in February next year. Aimed at schools and club members aged 8-24, the initiative encourages participants to protect the planet and promote inclusivity in sailing. Entries can feature either an F50 built from recycled materials or an "ocean shoebox" displaying local marine plants and animals. Last year's winner, Northcote Birkenhead Yacht Club, impressed with a model made from old sail fabric, coat hangers and even a tiller extension. Submissions close on 10 December 2025.
Full details are available on the RŪNĀ website.
Reprieve finished first on line in the 37th Aviemore Classic.
Tough conditions fail to dampen spirits at 37th Aviemore Classic
Challenging conditions couldn't keep the 37th Aviemore Classic from delivering a weekend of quality racing and camaraderie at Lake Aviemore over Labour Weekend. Hosted by the Timaru Yacht & Powerboat Club, 19 entries across multiple trailer yacht classes competed despite Friday's wind cancellations. In corrected time, Nick Coultas aboard Outnumbered took first place, followed by Richard Hawkins (Chaos) and Dan Meehan (Eagle). Line honours went to Michael McAllister (Reprieve), with Jamie Neill (44 Forty) and Hawkins completing the podium. The Aviemore Classic remains one of New Zealand's premier trailer yacht events, combining competitive racing with social camaraderie in the stunning Mackenzie Country.
Naval Point Club Lyttelton helped raise $27,000 for the Cholmondeley Children's Centre.
Club rallies to raise thousands for children's centre
In late October, Naval Point Yacht Club hosted the John Jones Steel Centenary Sailing Regatta, celebrating 100 years of Cholmondeley Children's Centre, which provides short-term emergency or planned respite care for whānau with children aged 5-12. The event saw perfect conditions and strong community participation, raising $27,000 for the centre.
Finns join Marlborough/Nelson regional champs
Queen Charlotte Yacht Club has released the updated Notice of Race for the Marlborough/Nelson Regional Championships, now incorporating the 2026 New Zealand Finn class nationals. The regatta will take place from Friday, 5 December to Sunday, 7 December 2025, with the first day reserved for the Finns only.
Click here for more information.
Enter now for Napier's Summer Regatta
Entries are now open for the 2025 Napier Sailing Club Summer Regatta, taking place on 29-30 November. The event is a highlight of the summer sailing calendar, offering two days of competitive racing, great food, and a lively onshore atmosphere. Fleets include Optimist, O’pen Skiff, Starling, ILCA, Europe Dinghy, and OK Dinghy classes. Sailors from across the region are invited to join the action, whether competing for trophies or simply enjoying a weekend on the water.
Bucklands Beach Yacht Club will host the North Sails Young 88 Northern Owners Championships this weekend. Photo / Live Sail Die
Owner-drivers to battle at Young 88 Northern Champs
The North Sails Young 88 Northern Owners Championships will be held this Sunday (9 November), offering New Zealand owner-drivers the chance to compete without professional helmsmen. Racing will take place on windward-leeward courses in the waters around Rangitoto Island, Browns Island, and Bean Rock, with prizes and spot giveaways back at the host club, Bucklands Beach Yacht Club.
Eligible competitors must be current members of the Young 88 Owners Association, belong to a Yachting New Zealand-affiliated club, and hold a Young 88 measurement certificate (not required for Division 2 on corrected time). Further information is available from class president Gary Fowler at 021 609 285 or president@young88.org.nz.
Volunteers wanted for Bucks' beach clean
Bucklands Beach Yacht Club will hold a beach clean and survey on Sunday, 16 November at 1pm. Volunteers will survey a 1,600 sqm area, collecting and categorising any rubbish for entry into the Litter Intelligence database. Over the past year, 4,250 items weighing more than 3 kg have been collected by the club, with around 90 per cent identified as plastic waste. Those interested in helping can volunteer by emailing reception@bbyc.org.nz.
Forty young sailors from four clubs competed in the second leg of the East Auckland Opti & Starling Series.
Glendowie top in second leg of junior series
Last weekend, Glendowie Boating Club hosted the second leg of the East Auckland Opti & Starling Series, welcoming sailors from Bucklands Beach Yacht Club, Howick Sailing Club, and Maraetai Sailing Club. Forty young sailors enjoyed sunny conditions and good wind, with Glendowie taking the overall win, followed by Howick, Bucklands Beach and Maraetai. The series is an inter-club competition designed to develop junior sailing in East Auckland, with each club hosting one leg. While sailors from other clubs are welcome to participate, only the four host clubs compete for the Inter-Club Cup. Racing fleets included Optimist Green/White (one lap), Optimist Open, Starling Development, and Starling Open. The third leg of the series will take place on 22 February at Howick Sailing Club.
First Kawau Race Week set for January 2026
The inaugural Kawau Race Week, hosted by Ponsonby Cruising Club and supported by the Kawau Boating Club, will take place from 23 to 25 January 2026. The five-race regatta, sponsored by Evolution Sails, will feature an island race on the opening day followed by two island races each on Saturday and Sunday, with a series prize giving at the Kawau Boating Club on Sunday evening. Entries are now open and will close on 20 January 2026, with divisions announced thereafter. The entry fee is $195 (including GST), with "no extras" and "two-handed" divisions available. Among the early entrants are the Young-designed Extreme and the Elliott-designed Elliphunk, two of Auckland’s fastest 30-footers.
Royal Akarana Yacht Club has announced the 2025/2026 BlueWater Championships - a series of offshore races.
Four offshore races included in BlueWater Championships
Royal Akarana Yacht Club has announced the 2025/2026 BlueWater Championships, a series of offshore races where boats accumulate points toward overall series standings in addition to their individual race results. Events included in the series are the PIC Coastal Classic from late last month, as well as this month's Doyle Sails Cavalli Islands Race long course, the Balokovic Cup (20 February 2026), and Marsden Cove Marina Route 66 (6 March 2026). Boats already entered in any of these races are automatically included in the BlueWater Championship, with points counting toward the overall series.
Click here for full details and race information.
Last weekend's Doyle Sails Gold Cup Series Bean Rock Race, hosted by Royal Akarana Yacht Club, saw variable conditions from 2 to 25 knots as teams battled around the course. The race remained close, with all boats finishing within 90 minutes of each other. After three races, the series is tightening up. On PHRF results, Liquid Luck and Nirvana are tied, each with a win, while Equilibrium leads on line results with a win and two second-place finishes. With only two races remaining in the series, every point counts. Competitors are encouraged to get their entries in to remain in contention for the Gold Cup.
Full results here.
RnR won the final regatta in the Burnsco Travellers Series and, with it, the overall series title.
RnR storms to title in Burnsco Travellers Series
RnR dominated Sunday's racing to win the fifth and final Burnsco Travellers Series regatta of 2025 at Sandspit Yacht Club. Saturday's light, shifting westerly made for tricky conditions, leaving RnR fifth on 26 points heading into Sunday. With a steadier 10-12-knot westerly on Sunday, RnR won three races, securing the regatta on 24 points ahead of Slam Dunk (27) and Bloodline (29). The event concluded another successful year for the Elliott 5.9 class. RnR also claimed the overall Travellers Series, with Slam Dunk second and Zoot Allures third. The next event is the national championships at Maraetai Sailing Club in March.
Full results here.
