Regional roundup: Update on membership model and affiliation fee review
Our NZCT regional development managers bring you the latest from around the country, including the latest in Yachting New Zealand's membership and affiliation review.
National review: Members asked for individual submissions
Club members are being encouraged to have their say as Yachting New Zealand’s Membership and Affiliation Advisory Group opens the next phase of its review into the sport's membership model and club affiliation fee structure.
The review, launched in March, is aimed at ensuring the current system remains aligned with the needs of Yachting New Zealand’s 105 affiliated clubs and the wider sailing community.
To date, affiliated clubs have been invited to provide formal feedback through a detailed survey completed by commodores or other committee representatives. The process is now expanding to include individual submissions, allowing members to directly share their views, experiences, and ideas.
Feedback gathered will be considered by the advisory group as it develops recommendations for the Yachting New Zealand Board ahead of the 2026 Annual General Meeting. The group includes representatives from large, small, and medium-sized clubs, alongside youth members and Yachting New Zealand staff. It is co-chaired by Yachting New Zealand Chief Executive Steve Armitage and Milford Cruising Club Commodore Andrew Robertson.
Its role is to review the current membership and affiliation structure, assess its strengths and limitations, and explore options for reform. Areas under consideration include how the system supports non-competitive participation, the effectiveness of current fee structures, digital and reporting processes, and alternative approaches to membership.
Members who wish to contribute can do so by clicking here before 31 May 2026.
Register now for AIMS Games
All Optimist sailors and parents are being urged to register for the 2026 AIMS Games through their school sports departments as soon as possible, with entries currently lower than expected for the annual event.
The AIMS Games, organised by the Association of Intermediate and Middle Schools, is New Zealand’s largest sporting event, with thousands of students competing across 28 codes. Sailing will again be hosted by Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club.
Optimist sailors compete in open fleet racing under the Racing Rules of Sailing, with awards for overall champion, top school team, and individual placings across Year 7 and 8 boys and girls. The sailing competition runs from 5 to 8 September 2026, with entries closing on 3 June 2026.
Registration is $80 per sailor and must be completed via each school's AIMS Games coordinator.
Click here for more information.
Revelry won the first regatta of the new Burnsco Elliott 5.9 Traveller Series at Lake Rotoiti. Photo / Supplied
Revelry edges strong fleet to win Traveller Series opener
The first regatta in the Burnsco Elliott 5.9 Traveller Series was held over the weekend of 2 and 3 May at Lake Rotoiti, delivering a full 10-race opening round despite variable light-air conditions. Hosted by the Bay of Plenty Trailer Yacht Squadron, the event was marked by exceptional depth across the fleet, with six different race winners. Early leaders Dirty Circus showed strong form but slipped back late to finish fourth overall. Revelry, sailed by Becs Costello, Ben Costello and Richard Bicknell, lifted the title with a consistent final day performance, ahead of Bloodline in second and Reggae Shark in third.
The youth entry NYX impressed with a race win, a second and consistent top-five finishes, while Zoot Allures rounded out the top five.
Click here for the full results and final standings.
All proceeds from the evening will go to supporting Sailability Auckland’s programmes. Photo / Supplied
Sailing legends to headline fundraising event
Panmure Yacht and Boating Club will host a special fundraising evening on Friday, 29 May (6pm–10pm), supporting Sailability Auckland.
The event will bring together sailing legends of the Tāmaki River and round-the-world racing, featuring Erle Williams and Joey Allen, who will also take to the water sailing a Flying Ant on the Panmure Basin and Tāmaki River.
Entry is $10, with junior sailors under 12 years $5, and all proceeds going to support Sailability Auckland’s programmes.
Click here for more information.
Incorporated Societies Act: Re-registration complete, but obligations continue
Yacht clubs registered under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 continue to have ongoing obligations to the Companies Office following successful re-registration.
The Companies Office issued a reminder last week that compliance responsibilities do not end once registration is complete. All affiliated yacht clubs under Yachting New Zealand were successfully re-registered ahead of the April deadline, but must now maintain active compliance with the Act.
This includes maintaining appropriate governance structures, holding annual general meetings, keeping accurate records, updating officer and contact details, recording any constitutional amendments, and filing annual financial statements and annual returns with the Registrar of Incorporated Societies — even for clubs also registered as charities.
To support ongoing compliance, the Companies Office has published a practical guide and checklist outlining key obligations as societies adapt to the new framework.
Ian Vickers was an active member of the local wingfoil community. Photo / Supplied
Sailing stalwart remembered
The sailing community is mourning the loss of Ian Vickers, who passed away last Monday.
Vickers was a passionate sailor and an active member of the local wingfoil community. He was also a highly respected designer and craftsman, best known for his innovative range of International One Metre (IOM) yachts, with the Vickers series set to remain part of his lasting legacy in the sport.
He finished on the podium in the Masters division at the 2025 New Zealand wingfoil national championships and raced alongside long-time friend Jon Bilger, with whom he also competed in the 470 class.
A service to celebrate Vickers' life will be held at St Columba Presbyterian Church, 480 Ti Rakau Drive, Botany, at 1pm today.
Wanted: Volunteers for Waiheke Kōura Dive Survey
Auckland Yacht and Boating Association has shared a volunteer opportunity for skippers and divers to support the upcoming Kōura Dive Survey around Waiheke Island.
The community-led programme, run by the Waiheke Marine Project, involves volunteer skippers and divers conducting underwater surveys of kōura (crayfish) populations to support the Ngāti Pāoa rāhui and wider coastal restoration efforts. Skippers are needed to take divers to survey sites each weekend, while scuba divers and freedivers assist with ecological monitoring.
The survey will run across weekends in June, with a backup weekend in early July.
Skippers and divers interested in participating are encouraged to register by clicking here.
Napier to host popular Brass Monkey Regatta
Napier Sailing Club will host the Marty’s Brass Monkey Regatta over King’s Birthday Weekend on 30 and 31 May 2026.
Entries are now open, with the first out-of-town entry already received from Wellington. The event is expected to deliver competitive winter racing, strong fleet participation, and a lively on-water contest.
Sailors are encouraged to enter early and rally their crews for a weekend of racing, social connection, and winter bragging rights.
Click here to enter.
The 2026 PIC Coastal Classic is set for 23 October. Photo / Live Sail Die
Date confirmed for 2026 PIC Coastal Classic
The 44th PIC Coastal Classic will take place on 23 October 2026, organised by the New Zealand Multihull Yacht Club.
The 119-nautical-mile race will once again see the fleet line up in Auckland and race north to Russell, with entries opening soon for both racing and rally divisions.
The event is widely regarded as one of New Zealand’s premier offshore challenges, drawing crews ready to take on the coastal course in spring conditions.
Click here for more information.
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