Regional roundup: Update on Aon club insurance scheme

Thu 5 Mar 2026

Our NZCT regional development managers bring you the latest news from their clubs around the country, as well as an important clarification on the Aon Yachting New Zealand club scheme.

Aon Yachting New Zealand club scheme – Clarification for member clubs

We are aware of some confusion within the club community following Aon’s personal lines referral arrangement with AMI. Several clubs have asked whether this signals a withdrawal from marine insurance and what it means for the Aon Yachting New Zealand Club Scheme.

We would like to reassure all affiliated clubs that the scheme remains unchanged. Aon’s long-standing commitment to Yachting New Zealand, supported by its specialist Marine Team, ensures clubs and members continue to receive comprehensive and reliable insurance cover — both on and off the water.

The referral agreement with AMI, effective from 1 May 2025, applies solely to certain personal lines products. It is entirely separate from the Aon Yachting New Zealand Club Scheme and has no impact on the marine insurance arrangements currently in place for Yachting New Zealand clubs and members.

The club scheme — which includes cover for vessels owned and insured by clubs — continues to be managed by Aon New Zealand, with NZI remaining the current insurer.

Private vessel owners

Owners of private vessels can expect to be contacted by AMI approximately four weeks before policy renewal to discuss cover options and arrangements.

If owners wish to engage sooner, the AMI team can be contacted on 0800 801 202 (extension 3 for a renewing policy) or via email at aon@ami.co.nz.

Aon’s dedicated Marine Team also continues to arrange cover for sailors competing in overseas regattas. This includes insurance for boats, equipment, and third-party liability while racing or in transit. Applications for Overseas, Regatta and Transit Insurance remain available via the Yachting New Zealand website.

Third-party liability only cover

AMI is unable to offer third-party liability as a standalone product for, among others, boat owners who require it solely to meet Yachting New Zealand racing requirements.

However, where a vessel meets their underwriting criteria, AMI can provide full cover — including hull insurance together with associated third-party liability.

Owners wishing to explore this option can contact the AMI team on 0800 801 202 (extension 2 for new business enquiries).

If your club has any questions, please contact your regional development manager or Aon New Zealand’s Chloe Donnelly directly on +64 27 257 9361 or via email at chloe.donnelly@aon.com.

The Optimist was one of seven classes sailed at the Wellington Schools Regatta. Photo / Paremata Boating Club

Schools regatta season opens

Thirty-six sailors competed at the 2026 Wellington Schools Regatta, hosted by Paremata Boating Club on 19 February, enjoying beautiful conditions and close racing in a light to moderate northerly across four races. Fleets included Optimist, Starling, O'pen Skiff, ILCA 6, 420, P Class, and RS: Feva.

Full results here.

Meanwhile, the 75th annual Auckland secondary schools fleet racing regatta takes place tomorrow at Wakatere Boating Club. Open to Auckland secondary school students in Years 9-13, the event features individual class results as well as a school team competition for the Epiglass Trophy. Entries are managed through schools via College Sport Auckland, and participating schools must be members of the organisation.

Centenary book for sale

Staying with Wakatere Boating Club, it celebrated its 100th anniversary last weekend, marking a century of sailing from Narrow Neck Beach with on-water races, social events, and the launch of its centenary book, Wakatere 100. The 100-page book chronicles the club’s history in full colour, highlighting its people, stories, and achievements — from its founding by 21 members in 1926 to producing national and international champions and introducing generations of local families to sailing. Wakatere 100 goes on sale this Sunday, offering a keepsake for members and the wider sailing community while reflecting the spirit of family and camaraderie that has carried the club through a century of sailing.

Max Jameson was the overall winner at the North Island O'pen Skiff championships. Photo / Melanie Parkin, Wide Lens Photography

Manly dominates O'pen Skiff event

Manly Sailing Club celebrated a standout performance at the North Island O'pen Skiff championships at Evans Bay Yacht and Motorboat Club, with Max Jameson claiming the overall title after four race wins and three second-place finishes in the 10-race regatta. The event tested sailors with light, shifty winds on day one and a fresh, gusty Wellington northerly on day two, and featured an evenly split fleet of male and female competitors, with Ruby Peters taking the top female spot and fourth overall. Hans Evans won the silver division, while Chase Torbet was awarded the Sportsmanship Trophy for his consistent support and encouragement of younger and less experienced sailors. The regatta concluded in true O’pen Skiff style with stand-up legs, an adventure race, and the proud display of the Oscar flag.

Andrew Blackhore won the SailGP Next Gen Challenge with his Ocean Shoebox model of the Hauraki Gulf. Photo / Supplied

SailGP Next Gen Challenge winner named

Windy Ridge School student Andrew Blackhore won the SailGP Next Gen Challenge after creating an artistically impressive Ocean Shoebox model of the Hauraki Gulf. The project featured local species and highlighted the importance of protecting the ecosystem. Judges praised his detailed inclusion of volcanic rock supporting species around Tāmaki Makaurau and a striking dolphin displayed alongside a Black Foils figurine. As part of his prize, Andrew received a behind-the-scenes tech tour at the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix, where he said he was amazed by the boat’s lightweight carbon fibre structure and hands-on mechanical features.

Enter now for new-look Women's Regatta

Registrations are now open for the Waikawa Boating Club's Women's Regatta, running 11 to 13 September. The event offers two divisions: one for experienced crews seeking competitive racing, and another for novice or less experienced sailors, with mentoring and skill-building opportunities. Highlights include the Friday Taste Marlborough on-water social, Saturday dinner with Olympic gold medallist and Yachting New Zealand regional development manager Jenny Armstrong, Sunday rules tuition, and options for sailors without boats or new to keelers.

YTP coach wanted

The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron is seeking a Performance Sailing Coach to lead and enhance their Youth Training Programme, guiding sailors from grassroots to elite levels. The role combines high-performance coaching with club and community engagement, working closely with young sailors, families, volunteers, and leadership to build a supportive, values-driven pathway. Flexible employment options are available for candidates passionate about youth development and high-performance sailing.

Click here to apply.

Toyshop finished first overall. Photo / Gulf Harbour Yacht Club

WOWW warmup done

Gulf Harbour Yacht Club hosted a lively Ladies Race last month, sponsored by Davenports Law, with sailors enjoying a steady easterly breeze and plenty of smiles on the water. The event served as a perfect warm-up for the club's Women on Water Weekend from 13 to 15 March. Toyshop finished first overall, with Hot Property second, and Share Delight third.

Click here for more information about the Women on Water Weekend.

Fleets aplenty at Tauranga Regatta

The Tauranga Regatta, hosted by Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club last weekend, featured fleets including ILCA 6, ILCA 7, Optimist green and white, Starling, Zephyr, and open centreboard classes. Local sailor Thomas Linklater won the ILCA 6, followed by Lukas Johnson and Dave Johnson, with Helen Spencer (Hamilton Yacht Club) the first female in 14th overall. Max Faulkner took the ILCA 7 title, ahead of David Keys (Lake Taupo Yacht Club) and Barry Cutfield (Port Ohope Yacht Club). In the Optimist green fleet, Dylan Moreton (Tauranga) and Amelia Vercoe (Northcote Birkenhead Yacht Club) topped the overall and female standings, while Milla Jones (Tauranga) led the white fleet. Eoghan Harris (Hamilton Yacht Club) dominated the Starling class with six bullets, with Gabrielle Marais the top female finisher. Local sailors Andy Knowles (Zephyr) and Thomas Scobie (Mercury Bay Boating Club, open centreboard) also claimed victories.

Full results here.

Aussies claim youth match racing Cup

The 2026 Toyota Youth International Match Racing Cup concluded at the RNZYS with James Hayhoe, James Hopkins, Michael King, Katina Casimaty, and Jemma Hopkins of the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron claiming gold — the club’s first win in the event’s 36-year history. Silver went to Ethan Fong, Hugo McMullen, Amelia Angus, Harry McMullen, and Lucas Day from RNZYS, with Daniel Kemp, Hayley Fisher, Lachlan Wallace, Charlie Verity, and Belle Holdsworth of RPAYC taking bronze.

Local sailors triumph at SIAG

The 2026 C Lund and Son Ltd South Island Age Group Regatta, incorporating the New Zealand International Optimist Dinghy Association (NZIODA) Oborn's Nautical South Island Traveller Series, wrapped up at Charteris Bay Yacht Club after a glassy start and three races completed in a gentle northeasterly breeze, before the second day's racing was cancelled. Winners included local sailors George Evans (Optimist open fleet and 11 and under), Carter Bright (Optimist 12+), and Nico Blundell (ILCA 6); Josh Fletcher (Waimakariri Sailing Club) in the P Class, Bailey Robb (Queen Charlotte Yacht Club) in the Starling (16-17 and overall); Marino Collins (Queen Charlotte Yacht Club) in the Starling (13-14); and Oak Galbraith (Christchurch Yacht Club) in the Starling (15).

Inaugural iQFOiL Pacifics: Liefting, Gysler finish top

Manly Sailing Club hosted the inaugural 2026 New Zealand iQFOiL Pacific championships, attracting top foilers from around the world. In the men’s fleet, Eli Liefting (Royal Akarana Yacht Club) edged out Josh Armit (Wakatere Boating Club), with Ching Yin Cheng (China) third; while Norwegians Maya Gysler and Mina Molbekk were first and second in the women's fleet, with Veerle ten Have (Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club) third. Youth titles went to Vlad Misescu (Bay of Islands Yacht Club) in the male fleet and Elbe White (Kohimarama Yacht Club) in the female fleet, with Sol Douwes, Rohan Desjardins, Margarita Konstantinova, and Gabrielle Dalton-Wilson completing the podiums. Local sailor Liam Herbert claimed the open men’s title.

Full results here.

Junior sailors overcome tricky conditions

The Barfoot & Thompson Junior Sail challenged young sailors with tricky winds, producing close racing across all fleets. Standout performances at the event held at Kohimarama Yacht Club included Carter Smith (Murrays Bay Sailing Club) and Rory Lornie (Glendowie Boating Club) in Optimist white, Ally Burfoot (Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club) in Optimist open, Callum Hyde (Murrays Bay Sailing Club) and Kate Howse (Kohimarama Yacht Club) in the Starling fleet, Kiera Dimock (Murrays Bay Sailing Club) in the ILCA 6, Hamish Brown (Kohimarama Yacht Club) and Oli Stone (Murrays Bay Sailing Club) in the 420, and Blake Batten (Kohimarama Yacht Club) and Hugo Smith (Murrays Bay Sailing Club) in the 29er.

Indis wins Balokovic Cup

Royal Akarana Yacht Club hosted the Balokovic Cup to close out the 2026 Doyle Sails Gold Cup Series, delivering an epic day and night of offshore racing. A strong southwesterly provided challenging conditions across the 89nm overnighter, testing both boats and crews. In the PHRF handicap division, Sunfast 3300 Indis skippered by Andrew Benton claimed victory with a corrected time of 9:38:21, 11 minutes ahead of Graham Matthews (Equilibrium), and John Meadowcroft (Carrera 3) third. In the multihull division, Sean Vernon aboard MOD70 Wraith II blitzed the course for line honours in 5:44:22, with Guy Chester (Oceans Tribute) close behind. Competitors will be celebrated at the Gold Cup prizegiving on 12 March at RAYC, alongside the BlueWater Championships, with the final leg racing off Richmond Yacht Club for the Route 66.