Issue date
Our NZCT regional development managers have been busy supporting clubs around the country. Here are some of the highlights from the work they've been doing.
Many clubs are yet to correctly re-register as an incorporated society. Photo / Supplied
Incorporated societies: Has your club re-registered correctly?
Some clubs may believe they have re-registered under the new Incorporated Societies Act 2022, when in fact they have only uploaded their updated constitutions.
In October, the NZ Amateur Sport Association found that nearly 1,000 incorporated societies had filed new constitutions but had not completed the full re-registration process. It appears a number of our affiliated yacht clubs may also be in the same position.
If your club is unsure of its status, you can check the Incorporated Societies Register here.
Once your club has approved its new constitution, it must formally apply to re-register under the 2022 Act, before 5 April 2026.
To re-register, clubs need a RealMe account and must complete an online application that includes:
a copy of the updated constitution (as approved at a General Meeting);
current society contact details (registered office, communication addresses, and details for one to three contact people);
details of all committee members and officers (minimum of three), including their name, physical address, email address and start date.
There is no fee to re-register, and applications are typically processed within three working days.
Comprehensive guidance is available on the Incorporated Societies website here.
If you have any questions or would like us to review your constitution, you can contact Yachting New Zealand's regional development, governance and advocacy manager Ingrid Harder directly at ingrid@yachtingnz.org.nz.
Around 150 sailors turned out for the 2025 Napier Summer Regatta. Photo / Supplied
Big fleet at Napier Summer Regatta
Napier Sailing Club welcomed 150 sailors - plus a few unexpected visitors - for its Summer Regatta over the last weekend of November, with orca cruising through Pandora Pond and dolphins joining the action out in the Bay. Fine weather and lively breezes delivered classic Napier conditions across all fleets, with Blake Duncan (Optimist), Mei Whitehead (O'pen Skiff), Callum Hyde and Charlotte Handley (Starling), Tom Pilkington and Chloe Turner (ILCA 6), George Pilkington (ILCA 7), Dave Ridley (OK Dinghy), Antje Muller (Europe Dinghy), and Hayden Percy (Paper Tiger) among the winners. A dedicated team of volunteers and coaches kept everything running smoothly on and off the water.
Full results here.
Carbon-offset trees thriving at Charteris Bay
Ten months after the 2024 Starling Nationals at Charteris Bay Yacht Club, the impact of competitors' environmental efforts is becoming clear. As part of their entry fee, every sailor contributed a native tree to help offset their carbon footprint, and those trees - planted in February 2024 at Orton Bradley Park - are now thriving, as captured on a recent Canterbury day by CBYC sustainability lead Ian Luxford (pictured above). This initiative also provides a helpful reference for the club as it looks to renew its Yachting New Zealand Clean Club certification.
Spring Series wraps up thrilling ILCA racing
The 2025 Sawmill ILCA Twilight Spring Series wrapped up at Royal Akarana Yacht Club after four evenings of competitive but relaxed racing, with 20 sailors across ILCA 4, 6, and 7 divisions. Jon Rix claimed the overall and ILCA 7 honours, Julia Nguyen topped the ILCA 4 fleet, and Harrison Robb won in the ILCA 6, while RAYC academy sailors impressed with strong performances against the adult fleet. The mix of emerging youth, returning regulars, and seasoned members created the friendly, fun atmosphere the Twilight Series is known for. The focus now turns to the club's ILCA Summer Twilight Series starting in February.
Full results here.
Feva SailGP Inspire back for 2026
SailGP, the New Zealand RS Feva Association, and Royal Akarana Yacht Club are bringing back the Feva SailGP Inspire programme for 2026. The three-day event runs 13-15 February in Auckland and gives sailors aged 17 and under the chance to race on the F50 course, go behind the scenes at SailGP, meet athletes, and learn about the boats and technology. Entry is $300, and to qualify for rankings, participants must have competed in the class at the recent Sir Peter Blake Regatta, or attend an upcoming NZ Feva Traveller Series or South Island Feva regatta. Applications close 31 January 2026.
Click here to register.
Island Cruizing NZ marks special milestone
Island Cruising New Zealand celebrated its 40th birthday on 29 November with a special event at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, attended by nearly 200 guests. The evening brought together past and present leaders, including former owners John and Lyn Martin, Nigel Richards, and current owner Viki Moore, highlighting four decades of cruising adventure and community. John and Leanne Hembrow were also acknowledged for their role in selling the Down Under Rally to Moore in 2023, helping expand the Pacific Rally to include Australia.
Four days of adventure, racing at Manly
Registration is now open for the 2026 PredictWind OpenSkiff Regattapalooza at Manly Sailing Club, running 23-26 January. The four-day event will feature adventure sailing, beach games, and competitive racing, with charters available for participants.
Click here to register.
Motamouse claims Piedy title
Ponsonby Cruising Club hosted the 2025 Pied Piper national championships last weekend, with beautiful but shifty conditions on Saturday and Sunday making for challenging racing, with eight races across the two days. The podium saw Pierre Harrison’s Motamouse take first place, Tim Sneddon’s Animal House second, and Kelcey Gager’s Woodstock third.
Campaign launched ahead of first ParAble regatta
Sailability Wellington is seeking support to get its first six ParAble boats on the water, launching a Givealittle campaign to complete their fit-out ahead of the first-ever ParAble Regatta in 2026. It follows the ParAble recently being confirmed as a national class, and Sailability Wellington's recognition with the North Sails Sportsmanship Award at the 2025 Barfoot & Thompson Yachting Excellence Awards a fortnight ago. Developed over a decade by a committed volunteer team, the ParAble class blends safety, versatility, and performance, offering disabled sailors a bigger, more challenging boat that can still be launched off a beach trolley.
Click here to donate.
Plimmerton's Hall retains Finn title
Plimmerton Boating Club’s Ray Hall has successfully defended his crown as New Zealand's top Finn sailor, winning the class national championships at Queen Charlotte Yacht Club last weekend. Hall won four of nine races to finish seven points ahead of Richard Hawkins, with Mark Perrow third. The event also doubled as the Nelson Marlborough regional championships, with winners including Eitetsu Yamaguchi and Amelia Marfell (420), Emily Overend (ILCA 6), Stephen Salmon (ILCA 7), William Davis (Optimist), and Liam Strack (Starling).
Full results here.
