Yachting New Zealand Membership and Affiliation Advisory Group: Individual feedback from club members
In March this year, Yachting New Zealand initiated a review of its national membership model and club affiliation fee structure. The purpose of this review is to ensure the system remains aligned with the evolving needs of its 106 affiliated clubs nationwide.
Following the appointment and initial meeting of the Membership and Affiliation Advisory Group, Yachting New Zealand is now seeking feedback from clubs and their members.
All Yachting New Zealand-affiliated clubs have been provided the opportunity for the commodore or a member of their committee to fill out an in-depth survey on behalf of their club. We would now like to hear individuals' ideas through the form below.
Information provided to the Yachting New Zealand Membership and Affiliation Advisory Group via this form will be considered ahead of the group's recommendation to the Yachting New Zealand Board ahead of the 2026 AGM.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Who pays for affiliation, and how is it calculated?
Yacht clubs pay an affiliation fee to the national body, Yachting New Zealand. At present, this funding is based on a per-member levy, with each club paying a flat fee for every individual member it registers.
For the 2026/27 season, the levy is $33.07 per member (plus GST), with a capped family rate of $81.97 (plus GST) for three or more members from the same family. Life members, along with a limited number of honorary club volunteers, are excluded from this count.
What does the affiliation with YNZ provide to our club?
Affiliation with Yachting New Zealand provides clubs and their members with access to a wide range of practical services and support.
These include school and participation programmes, race official training, and coach development, as well as direct club support and advisory services. Clubs also gain access to a suite of resources and online learning tools.
Yachting New Zealand delivers key racing and event frameworks, including the Racing Rules of Sailing, handicapping systems, and boat registration, alongside guidance on safety and risk management and a strong working relationship with Maritime New Zealand.
In addition, affiliated clubs benefit from insurance guidance, governance and legal support, national advocacy, sustainability initiatives, and regular communications.
What are some common affiliation models used by other sporting groups?
Flat club affiliation fee: Each club pays the same fixed annual fee to the national body, regardless of its size or membership numbers.
Differentiated per-member fees: A per-person levy is applied, with different rates for different member categories. These categories may be based on age, membership type, or level of participation.
Tiered or banded club fees: Clubs are grouped into tiers (for example, by membership size or revenue), with each tier assigned a set annual fee. This approach aims to reflect a club’s capacity to pay.
Activity or usage-based fees: Revenue is generated through participation and service-based charges. This can include levies on event entries (such as regattas), fees for training or certification programmes, or “day membership” charges for non-members taking part in events.
Please complete the form below by May 31st to submit your feedback for consideration by the Membership and Affiliation Advisory Group.
