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Yachting New Zealand's biennial club conference brought together 75 delegates from nearly 60 yacht clubs across the country for a day of ideas, updates and collaboration at Bucklands Beach Yacht Club late last month.
The event featured a line-up of speakers tackling some of the most pressing issues facing clubs today. These included Michelle Kitney, chief executive of Volunteering New Zealand; Samantha Alexander, national compliance and grants manager for The Lion Foundation; and Sally Carson, director of the New Zealand Marine Studies Centre.
Yachting New Zealand's national sport development director, Raynor Haagh, delivered a comprehensive "state of the nation" address, drawing on fresh insights from the 2024 club survey and the 2024 Voice of the Participant survey, conducted in partnership with Sport New Zealand. The data prompted lively discussion around what's working, what's changing, and where additional support is needed.
Breakout sessions before lunch focused on key operational areas, including safety systems, sailor development pathways, coaching resources and communications.
The day concluded with an open Q&A session featuring Yachting New Zealand chief executive David Abercrombie, board chair Greg Knowles, Haagh, and high-performance director Ian Stewart. There was also a special farewell from Knowles to Abercrombie, who steps down next month after more than 14 years leading the organisation.
Among those in attendance were two emerging young leaders: Brooke Mundy of Nelson Yacht Club and Katie Roberts of Kerikeri Cruising Club. Both were invited to the conference as part of their selection for the Blake Inspire programme, a residential, week-long leadership experience scheduled for December.
Roberts said she was especially inspired by the sustainability session and Yachting New Zealand's schools engagement programme, RŪNĀ.
"I really enjoyed the conference," she said. "I learnt a lot about RŪNĀ and Marine Metre Squared. That was really interesting - especially how we're using yacht clubs to learn about the scientific side of marine life."
Below you can find all the material from the conference:
Have your say on boating in Auckland
The Auckland Yachting and Boating Association (AYBA) has launched a new Coastal Plan initiative aimed at protecting the future of boating in the region ahead of Auckland Council’s review of the Auckland Unitary Plan next year.
The initiative is designed to ensure the voice of the boating community is heard as key decisions are made around access to water and marine infrastructure.
The Unitary Plan governs how Auckland’s land and coastal areas are used and developed, and any changes could significantly affect boat ramps, moorings, marina infrastructure, and recreational access.
To inform its Coastal Plan, AYBA is calling on the wider boating community to share:
• What facilities you currently use (e.g. ramps, pontoons, moorings, storage),
• Any issues you’ve experienced with Auckland Council or other organisations,
• Suggestions for improvements or new infrastructure, and
• Specific requirements or concerns you want AYBA to raise during the Unitary Plan review.
Those interested in contributing can email ayba.secretary@gmail.com.
Volunteers play a vital role in the sailing community. Photo / Jacob Fewtrell Media
Volunteers celebrated with national week
Volunteers are set to be celebrated later this month, with National Volunteer Week.
This year's event runs from June 15 to 21 and acknowledges the vital role of volunteers in communities nationwide. According to organisers, the 2025 theme, Whiria te tangata - weaving the people together, highlights how volunteering strengthens the fabric of society.
Clubs and individuals are encouraged to get involved by thanking volunteers, sharing stories, and promoting events or activities that showcase the value of these people. Resources and tools to support local campaigns are available here.
“We would like to acknowledge and thank our many volunteers across the country who continue to be the driving force behind our clubs,” said Yachting New Zealand national sport development director Raynor Haagh.
“They are the lifeblood of our sport - organising regattas, maintaining facilities, teaching sailing lessons, and coordinating social events.”
Exotic caulerpa is one of the species that will be discussed. Photo / Ministry for Primary Industries
Webinar to shed light on marine pests
A free webinar next month will help Kiwis identify some of the most concerning marine pests threatening our coastal environments.
Hosted by marine biosecurity specialist Abraham Growcott, the session will run on Zoom from 10am to 11am on Tuesday, June 24.
Participants will learn how to spot invasive species such as Asian kelp, Mediterranean fanworm, exotic caulerpa and Japanese mantis shrimp, among others, in marinas, ports, marine farms and natural coastal areas.
The webinar will also provide guidance on reporting pests and explain how these species can spread through biofouling or equipment contamination.
The event is supported by the Top of the North, and Top of the South Marine Biosecurity Partnerships and will include a Q&A with local experts.
Registration is now open, and anyone interested in joining can click here.
Strong turnout for King's Birthday Regatta
A strong fleet of 63 boats turned out for this year’s King’s Birthday Regatta at Port Ohope Yacht Club, the largest turnout the event has seen in many years. The two-day regatta, held over the long weekend, drew a particularly large contingent from the ILCA class, with over 30 entries - many from Tauranga and Taupō.
Challenging winds on the opening day kept junior classes ashore, while senior sailors completed four races in gusty conditions. Racing continued across multiple classes, with tight competition and strong performances throughout the fleets.
Top results included Dave Johnson (Hamilton Yacht Club) and Miya Prescott (Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club) claiming the ILCA 6 titles, while Max Faulkner (Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club) took out the ILCA 7 fleet. Lake Taupō Yacht Club’s Hugo Brasell and Sally Clarke topped the Starling class, with Optimist honours going to Milla Jones (Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club) and James Garnham (Wakatere Boating Club). Hansie Eichholz (Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club) was the standout in the Zephyr fleet.
Full results are available here.
Will-power! Leech, Mason take out overall 29er title
Will Leech (Charteris Bay Yacht Club) and Will Mason (Wakatere Boating Club) have been crowned the 2025 29er national champions after a commanding performance at Manly Sailing Club. The pair won seven of the 16 races to finish 12 points clear of their closest rivals, Nelsen Meacham (Wakatere Boating Club) and Joe Leith (Murrays Bay Sailing Club).
Hugo Smith (Kohimarama Yacht Club) and Louis Quere (Royal Akarana Yacht Club) rounded out the podium.
Bella Jenkins (Kohimarama Yacht Club) and Jess Handley (Murrays Bay Sailing Club) claimed the top female team honours, finishing 12th overall, ahead of Greta Hutton (Murrays Bay Sailing Club) and Isla Kee (Torbay Sailing Club, 18th) and Kate Rasmussen (Maraetai Sailing Club) sailing with Rose Dickey (Napier Sailing Club, 20th).
In the mixed category, Alexis Heckler and James Anderson (both Kohimarama Yacht Club) came out on top, followed by Dahlia Fyfe and Kosta Gladiadis (both Manly Sailing Club), and Caleb Hackett and Alina Brettner (both Bay of Islands Yacht Club).
Full results are available here.
The Auckland Junior Winter Sprint series is open to Optimist, Starling, P Class, RS Feva and O'pen Skiff sailors.
Ready, set, go for Winter Sprint Series
The Auckland Junior Winter Sprint Series kicks off this weekend, with Wakatere Boating Club set to host the opening regatta on Saturday. The popular annual series, open to Optimist (Green and Open fleets), Starling, P Class, RS Feva and O'pen Skiff sailors, will run across seven events at five clubs over the coming months.
The series includes stops at Royal Akarana Yacht Club, Kohimarama Yacht Club, and Murrays Bay Sailing Club, with Murrays Bay also hosting the final Ice Breaker regatta in September.
Entries for the opening event close tomorrow (Friday, June 6) and can be made via this link.
Wanted: Centreboard coach in Whangārei
Sail Northland is seeking an experienced centreboard sailing coach for the upcoming summer season, based at picturesque Parua Bay in Whangārei Heads. The role will run from October 2, 2025, to April 30, 2026, and offers flexible hours ranging from 20 to 50 hours per week, with the possibility of job sharing. Remuneration will be discussed with applicants.
The coach will work across Sail Northland’s junior, youth and adult programmes, including Learn to Sail, schools 420 team sailing, and the Yachting New Zealand RŪNĀ Kokokaha programme.
The ideal candidate will be confident in delivering structured coaching, managing equipment, supporting volunteers, and promoting activities through strong communication and media skills.
Interested applicants should contact the Secretary at Sail Northland Charitable Trust via sailnorthland@gmail.com.
Josh Armit and Aimee Bright won the men's and women's windfoil competitions. Photo / Jagor Lavonieka
Foiling champs crowned at Manly
The second regatta of the Triple Crown Series, hosted by Manly Sailing Club, produced epic racing across the wingfoil and windfoil fleets, with the event drawing top talent and showcasing the growing foiling community.
A flawless performance - 10 bullets in 10 races - from local sailor Sean Herbert saw him take out the wingfoil fleet, while New Zealand Olympian Josh Armit (Wakatere Boaring Club) held off strong challenges from Australia's Grae Morris and Kiwi teammate Eli Liefting (Royal Akarana Yacht Club) to finish top of the men's windfoil fleet.
In the women's competition, Manly's Aimee Bright beat Veerle ten Have (Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club) by eight points, with Stella Bilger (Wakatere Boating Club) third.
Another highlight was the debut of the PredictWind MarkSetBot technology, paired with a top-tier start boat, helping deliver smooth and efficient race management in variable conditions.
Full results here.
