RŪNĀ momentum builds with club hui, environmental workshops and global recognition

Thu 6 Aug 2026

Yachting New Zealand's RŪNĀ network will come together next month for its annual Club Hui, as the nationally recognised schools programme continues to build momentum through new environmental initiatives and international recognition.

RŪNĀ head coaches and programme leads from affiliated clubs have been invited to attend the hui at Yachting New Zealand's Auckland office on Saturday, 19 September, with the day designed to strengthen capability, build confidence and deepen connections across the growing RŪNĀ community.

The hui will feature keynote presentations from Sally Carson of the New Zealand Marine Studies Centre and Sarah Psaila from Coastguard New Zealand, alongside opportunities for clubs to share successes, exchange ideas and strengthen relationships across the nationwide network.

Yachting New Zealand education lead Alisa Torgersen said the annual gathering has become an important opportunity for clubs to learn from one another while continuing to evolve the programme.

"The Club Hui is about bringing our RŪNĀ whānau together to celebrate what's working, share practical ideas and strengthen the relationships that make the programme so successful," Torgersen said.

"Every club delivers RŪNĀ in its own unique way, so creating space for people to learn from each other's experiences helps build confidence and capability across the entire network."

Clubs that have not yet received their invitation are encouraged to contact Torgersen at alisa@yachtingnz.org.nz.

RŪNĀ head coaches and programme leads from affiliated clubs have been invited to attend the hui in Auckland on 19 September.

The hui comes as RŪNĀ expands its environmental education offering, with a series of educator workshops scheduled across Auckland this September through the Moanamana programme.

Delivered in partnership with the Hauraki Gulf Monitoring Project and the New Zealand Marine Studies Centre, the workshops will introduce educators from four new yacht clubs and their local schools to the Moanamana monitoring toolkit, equipping them with practical skills to collect and contribute environmental data on the health of the Hauraki Gulf.

Participating clubs include Bucklands Beach Yacht Club, Wakatere Boating Club, Gulf Harbour Yacht Club and Hobsonville Yacht Club.

"Moanamana gives students the opportunity to become active kaitiaki of their local marine environment," Torgersen said.

"By supporting teachers and clubs with these tools, we're helping young people connect with their moana in meaningful ways while contributing valuable environmental data for their communities."

The latest initiatives come just weeks after RŪNĀ received further international recognition, with the programme shortlisted in the Education & Training category at the 2026 Sport Positive Awards.

The nomination follows RŪNĀ's recent success at the New Zealand Sport and Recreation Awards, where it claimed the Environmental Sustainability Award in recognition of its transformation from a sailing participation initiative into a nationally recognised ocean education programme.

"To be recognised internationally so soon after winning a national sustainability award is incredibly rewarding," Torgersen said.

"It's a reflection of the passion and commitment shown by our clubs, schools, educators and partners every day. They're the people who bring this kaupapa to life, and this recognition belongs to them."

Winners of the Sport Positive Awards will be announced on 6 October.

RŪNĀ continues to grow throughout New Zealand, with more than 5,500 students participating in club experiences during the 2025-26 season. The programme combines sailing with curriculum-aligned learning, ocean literacy and environmental stewardship, while creating stronger links between schools, yacht clubs and local communities.