RŪNĀ earns national recognition as Yachting New Zealand's schools programme continues to grow

Yachting New Zealand's schools programme RŪNĀ has won the Environmental Sustainability Award at the New Zealand Sport and Recreation Awards, marking its evolution from a sailing access initiative into a nationally recognised ocean education programme.

The award was presented at the annual ceremony at the New Zealand International Convention Centre in Auckland last night.

Yachting New Zealand education lead Alisa Torgersen said the recognition reflects how far RŪNĀ has come since it was established to introduce sailing to underserved communities.

"RŪNĀ began as a way to create more equitable access to our sport, but it has grown into something much bigger," she said. "Today, ocean health sits at the heart of everything we do, alongside participation and deepening connections to our moana. It's about empowering rangatahi with real knowledge of the marine environment and giving them practical ways to help protect it for future generations."

Torgersen said the award ultimately belongs to the teachers, schools and yacht clubs that bring the programme to life.

"This recognition belongs to every educator and volunteer who makes RŪNĀ possible. Special thanks go to Dean Stanley and Sally Carson, whose leadership and passion have been central to this journey."

The honour capped another strong year for the programme. A total of 5,539 students took part in club experiences during the 2025-26 season, with participation likely to have exceeded 6,000 had weather not disrupted some activities. Clubs including Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club, Nelson Yacht Club and Mangawhai Sailing Club all reported growth in student numbers and stronger engagement with local schools.

Teacher feedback reinforced that momentum, with every respondent rating their overall RŪNĀ experience four or five stars. Nearly half (45 per cent) said they first heard about the programme through word of mouth.

All clubs surveyed reported that RŪNĀ had strengthened relationships with schools and communities, with growing collaboration alongside iwi, regional sports trusts and local organisations. Nelson Yacht Club, for example, has developed strong repeat engagement, with schools returning and asking what the next step in their students' learning journey looks like.

The programme is also creating longer-term participation pathways, with more than half of clubs reporting students progressing into Learn to Sail or holiday programmes, Torgersen said.

"Schools from across the country took part in RŪNĀ experiences this season, with teachers highlighting hands-on activities such as building anemometers and wind vanes, constructing model sailboats, and exploring the science of lift as particular favourites."

Building on its environmental focus, RŪNĀ is expanding its Moanamana partnership with the New Zealand Marine Studies Centre and extending its ocean monitoring toolkit to four additional Auckland clubs as part of the Hauraki Gulf Monitoring Project.

Free workshops introducing the NZL Blue Belt toolkit and Moanamana app data entry will be held in September at Bucklands Beach Yacht Club, Wakatere Boating Club, Gulf Harbour Yacht Club and Hobsonville Yacht Club.

With changes to the New Zealand Curriculum still underway, Torgersen said the RŪNĀ team is reviewing how the programme aligns with the refreshed framework, with further details to be shared next school term. At least one module is reviewed and updated each year, with the Kōrinorino (Social Science/History) module currently under review.

Schools wanting to book sailing experiences for Term 4, 2026, or Term 1, 2027, can register through the RŪNĀ website, with teaching guides provided automatically upon registration.