Regional roundup: New base marks homecoming for Hobsonville Yacht Club

Our NZCT regional development managers bring you the latest updates from across the country - including a new home for an Auckland yacht club steeped in tradition.

Early-morning learn-to-sail sessions at the new Upper Waitematā Marine Centre. Photo / Supplied

Hobsonville Yacht Club settles into new Waitematā base

Hobsonville Yacht Club has entered a new chapter with the completion of the Upper Waitematā Marine Centre, marking a significant step forward for the long-established West Auckland club. The new premises, opened in April, provide a long-awaited base for operations and a platform to expand sailing and water-based activity across the upper Waitematā Harbour.

Founded in 1934 with strong ties to the Royal New Zealand Air Force at the Hobsonville and Whenuapai bases, the club’s military heritage remains part of its identity today. While the original clubhouse was removed in 2020 to make way for development at Hobsonville Point, the club continued operating from temporary facilities and steadily broadened its focus beyond keelboats to youth sailing and community participation.

Despite limited facilities and funding challenges in recent years, Hobsonville Yacht Club has built momentum through learn-to-sail programmes, an expanding junior fleet, and partnerships that include support from Yachting New Zealand and community funders. A growing Optimist programme has helped introduce new sailors to the sport, while initiatives such as the Moana Wayfinders partnership have brought together sailing instruction and the revival of traditional voyaging knowledge.

With Commodore Gill Moore and a dedicated volunteer team at the helm, the club is now focused on making full use of its new base. The Upper Waitematā Marine Centre is expected to be a catalyst for growth, enabling broader community access to sailing, education programmes, and inclusive on-water activity across West Auckland.

The 2026 AIMS Games will feature a fleet of almost 80 Optimist sailors. Photo / Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club

Young sailors eye AIMS Games as preparation window opens

With 76 Optimist sailors already registered, anticipation is building for the AIMS Games sailing regatta, which will bring together young sailors from across New Zealand at Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club from 5 to 8 September 2026.

Olympic gold medallist Jenny Armstrong, Yachting New Zealand’s regional development and coaching manager, says winter provides an ideal opportunity for sailors to sharpen their skills ahead of the event, even with limited time on the water.

"Boat preparation is key," Armstrong said. "Check hulls, spars, foils, control lines and blocks so everything is in good working order well before racing begins." She also encourages sailors heading to an unfamiliar venue to speak with those who have sailed in Tauranga before to gain local knowledge and insight into conditions.

The off-water period is also ideal for learning the Racing Rules of Sailing and for working on your fitness.

"Pick a rule each week, work through it, and don’t be afraid to ask questions if anything isn’t clear," Armstrong said. "Go for a run, a bike ride, and practise hiking. The fitter you are, the more energy you can put into smart decision-making on the racecourse."

Above all, she encourages sailors to enjoy the experience. 

"Have fun, learn as much as you can, and make new friends. Sailing is a sport for life, and the friendships you build will last just as long."

Hugo Smith, Blake Batten, Oli Stone, Nelsen Meacham, Tim Howse and Will Leech. Photo / Supplied

Meacham, Stone claim 29er national title in dominant display

Nelsen Meacham and Oli Stone have claimed the 2026 New Zealand 29er national title, producing the most consistent scorecard across a 12-race series at Royal Akarana Yacht Club. 

The pair struck early with multiple race wins and rarely finished outside the top three, ending on 20 points to secure the championship ahead of a tightly contested fleet in light opening conditions and a high-wind finale.

Dahlia Fyfe, Kate Howse, Jess Handley, Bella Jenkins, Amelia Higson and Greta Hutton. Photo / Supplied

Defending champion Will Leech, sailing with Tim Howse, finished second overall on 30 points after a slow start on day one proved costly. Blake Batten and Hugo Smith completed the podium in third on 41 points. Bella Jenkins and Jess Handley again impressed, winning the female title and finishing sixth overall, followed by Greta Hutton and Amelia Higson (13th), and Dahlia Fyfe and Kate Howse (14th). Tessa Clinton and William Mason, the sole mixed crew in the fleet, finished eighth.

Full results here.

Evans Bay launches winter speaker series

Evans Bay Yacht and Motorboat Club will start its Winter Speaker Series on Friday, 12 June, bringing together members with offshore and bluewater sailing experience for an evening of stories from beyond New Zealand waters.

Titled 'Sailing the high seas – offshore adventures of EBYMBC members', the series will feature voyages across the Pacific, ocean racing campaigns, and global cruising passages. Speakers will share experiences from trips to the Pacific Islands, the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race (2025-26), and the World ARC 2025–26, with each session including photos, discussion, and a Q&A.

The free monthly sessions will also include informal social time afterwards, with attendees asked to book in advance and pre-order pizza to assist planning and catering.

Poor clean likely behind fanworm incursion

A poor-quality in-water hull clean has been identified as the likely pathway behind a Mediterranean fanworm incursion in the Marlborough Sounds, after a recently relocated vessel was found to be carrying the invasive species despite being certified clean before leaving Auckland.

The large motor sailor had previously been berthed in a central Auckland marina and was sold to Marlborough owners, who commissioned a professional dive clean and inspection before delivery to Waikawa Bay. Documentation confirmed the vessel had been cleared of pest species, but routine surveillance later identified fanworm on the keel.

Marlborough District Council staff treated and wrapped the vessel before hauling it out for full cleaning and re-antifouling, with a 30-metre monitoring zone now in place for at least two years. The council described the incident as disappointing, noting the owners had acted appropriately, while attention now turns to improving cleaning standards and biosecurity risk management. - with marinepests.nz

Winter Dip brings SailGP and ocean campaigners together

Live Ocean and the New Zealand SailGP Team are joining forces for this year’s Winter Dip, turning the annual cold-water tradition into a large-scale community event at Takapuna Beach, Auckland, on Sunday. The initiative will centre on ocean advocacy and supporting swimmer Jono Ridler’s Swim4TheOcean campaign and calls to end bottom trawling.

Ridler completed a 90-day, 1,367km swim spanning 468 hours to highlight ocean health, and will be joined at Takapuna by Blair Tuke and Black Foils athletes for a collective dip on the eve of World Ocean Day (Monday, 8 June). Mairangi Bay Surf Life Saving Club lifeguards will be on duty between the flags to ensure participant safety.

Those unable to attend are encouraged to take a Winter Dip elsewhere around 8 June and share their support for ocean protection, extending the campaign beyond Auckland’s shoreline.

Auctioning of an Emirates Team New Zealand-designed Drudi Performance helmet was a highlight of the evening. Photo / Supplied

Fundraising evening boosts Sailability Auckland

Sailability Auckland has benefited from a fundraising evening at Panmure Yacht and Boating Club, where America’s Cup and offshore racing figures Erle Williams and Joey Allen headlined a talk-and-auction event drawing on decades of elite sailing experience.

Williams and Allen shared stories spanning Whitbread Round the World Races, America’s Cup campaigns, and international coaching careers, including Williams’ multi-class Cup involvement and Allen’s role in New Zealand’s 1995 America’s Cup victory.

A highlight of the evening was an auction for a bespoke Emirates Team New Zealand-designed Drudi Performance helmet created for the 2017 America’s Cup and once associated with team boss Grant Dalton. Proceeds will support Sailability Auckland’s work providing accessible sailing opportunities.

Port Nelson has unveiled its new marine haul-out and maintenance facility. Photo / Tim Cuff

Port Nelson opens haul-out facility, marina upgrade looms

Port Nelson’s new $29 million marine haul-out and maintenance facility has officially opened, marking a major upgrade in regional vessel servicing capability and strengthening Te Tauihu’s role in New Zealand’s blue economy. 

Operating as Calwell, the facility is expected to attract domestic and international marine maintenance work and contribute an estimated $3.8 million annually to the Nelson-Tasman economy.

The development includes a slipway and hardstand area supported by a 550-tonne boat hoist, enabling vessels of up to 2,400 tonnes to be serviced locally. Port Nelson chief executive Matt McDonald said the investment strengthens regional capability and long-term growth, while Nelson mayor Nick Smith highlighted its role in positioning Nelson as a marine servicing hub, alongside a planned 110-tonne boat hoist at Nelson Marina due in July.

Co-funded by Port Nelson, Nelson City Council and central government through Kānoa – the Regional Economic Development and Investment Unit, the project is expected to improve efficiency, safety and capacity across the marine engineering sector while supporting skilled jobs.

The winter series runs from June to August. Photo / John Simpson

Waimakariri Sailing Club wraps up season with prizegiving

Waimakariri Sailing Club has closed out its 2025/26 sailing season with a prizegiving that brought together sailors and supporters from across the regional sailing community. 

Visitors attended from Stewart’s Gully Sailing Club, Mount Pleasant Yacht Club, Christchurch Yacht Club, Naval Point Club Lyttelton and Pleasant Point Yacht Club, with former members and patron Ron Mackie also present. Mayor Dan Gordon officially closed the season.

Attention now turns to winter racing, with a five-race series beginning on 14 June 2026 and running through to August, culminating in a finale hosted by Stewart’s Gully Sailing Club on 23 August.

Milford Cruising Club hosts marine biosecurity briefing

Milford Cruising Club is hosting a free marine biosecurity information evening tonight, inviting boaties to a guest speaker session focused on the “big picture” of marine pest management and compliance.

The event, starting at 5.45pm, will include updates on invasive species such as Caulerpa and other marine pests, along with a discussion on hull fouling and its implications for boat owners. The session aims to outline how biosecurity rules are applied in practice and why they matter for both recreational and commercial users.

An affordable dinner will be available for purchase from 6pm, with bookings encouraged in advance via manager@milfordcruising.co.nz.