A total of 11 events including superyacht regattas, J Class regattas, superyacht fishing competitions and island cruises will entertain superyacht visitors to New Zealand during America’s Cup racing over 2020 and 2021, it was announced today. The events have been designed to help visitors discover some of New Zealand’s most beautiful cruising grounds with the activities run by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and NZMarine between January 2020 and March 2021. Events are designed for both visiting S/Y and M/Y vessels and timed to fit around America’s Cup World Series, Prada Cup Challenger and America’s Cup Match events. “New… Read More

NZ Marine race day of the NZ Millennium Cup drew to a close on Saturday 2 February and Tawera was crowned the winner.  The eleventh edition of the NZ Millennium Cup has ended and 28-metre ketch, Tawera has won the world’s most southerly superyacht regatta. “There’s a special feel to this regatta,” said race officer of the day, Harold Bennett. “The amazing sense of togetherness, the way the competitors get working together and complement each other – it’s the Corinthian way of our sport. The racing’s been really good – and I’m impressed with the help of both Bruno Finzi… Read More

Tawera, impeccably sailed, again dominated a lengthier 27nm course on day three of racing, taking line honours for a third consecutive day and bringing home the NZ Millennium Cup 2017. Assured of generous sunshine, blue skies and the promise of good winds, the race committee selected a lengthier 27nm course that would see competitors round the extremity of the Nine Pin twice and flit past both Motuterakihi Island and Whale Rock. Coming into the final day of racing, Pacific Division competitors, Antaeus and Steinlager 2, were tied on points. Rumours of an extensive tactical defence strategy to retain the Pacific… Read More

  Six months out from the commencement of the NZ Millennium Cup 2017 (24 – 27 January) and momentum is building faster than recent years with a series of rapid-fire early entries from Janice of Wyoming, Steinlager 2, Tawera and Antaeus. Commentators speculate this is due to unprecedented media interest in 2016’s regatta and a growing appreciation of combining racing, cruising and refit work on New Zealand’s shores. “Last year’s regatta saw the largest fleet race since the dawn of the millennium in 2000 and enjoyed media reach of over 31 million people,” says NZ Marine Export Group chairman Stuart… Read More

Yachting Developments launched their latest superyacht new build project, the 33.83m Cygnus Montanus (Hull 1012), on Saturday 14 May. After travelling to Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour from Yachting Developments’ Hobsonville yard, the yacht entered the water effortlessly with her proud build team watching on. “Launch day is always special to us as it sees the culmination of the vision of the yacht’s owners and the dedication and hard work of our team,” said Ian Cook, Managing Director of Yachting Developments. “It is a pleasure to welcome Cygnus Montanus to the Yachting Developments fleet and to see her on the water for the first time.” Built for experienced owners, this beautiful ocean-going composite… Read More

Over three days of racing, the NZ Millennium Cup enjoyed great weather, steady winds and close-fought racing, which culminated in a thrilling final race. With four of five entries tied for first place in the Millennium Cup division, the race truly was anyone’s, and was ultimately decided by a mere 19 seconds difference between winner Tawera, and runner up, Kealoha after a high-intensity drag race to the line. Spectacular Janice of Wyoming came in third overall, while in the Pacific Division, Steinlager II stormed across the line for first, with Australian entry, Allegro – fresh from the Sydney to Hobart race – taking… Read More

Superyacht agents were pleased this week to see the launch of a new website promoting the South Pacific as a new charter and cruising destination. Here, they discuss why the new website and alliance of Australia, Fiji, Tahiti and New Zealand will assist promoting the South Pacific, and reveal some of their best kept secrets in the region. “When in Pacific waters, visitors are part of the family. Visitors will experience unique Fijian, Tahitian, Aboriginal and Maori cultures as an insider. They’ll discover some of the freshest and most-exciting new cuisine on the planet. Adventure like a local in pure,… Read More

Graduate of the NZ MAC ITO, Kit Carlier has taken his boatbuilding qualification and run with it. Receiving two boat building certificates in 2002, Kit now has his own company and a list of prestigious brands which he’s lent his talent to, under his belt. With the new Level 6 Diploma in Marine Design & Draughting just approved by NZQA to commence development and set to be ready for use by the end of the year, we thought it a good time to look back on where a boatbuilding apprenticeship takes students. For as long as I can remember I… Read More

Friday 26 June marked the official launch of a new destination initiative – South Pacific Superyachting. South Pacific Superyachting sees Tahiti, Fiji, New Zealand and Australia promote the region as one cohesive destination for visiting yachts Formed by NZ Marine, Fiji – Port Denarau Marina, Tahiti Tourisme and Superyacht Australia, South Pacific Superyachting’s goal is to encourage more yachts to the South Pacific. The initiative was launched at the annual Superyacht Australia Tahiti Rendezvous event, held at Marina Taina on the 26th June 2015. “Working as a cohesive unit to encourage yachts to and through the South Pacific is a… Read More

Victron Energy’s new range of Orion IP67 DC-DC Converters have been specially designed for use in exposed applications, including the harsh marine environment. Capable of converting 24 volt DC to 12 volt DC, the new range of Victron DC-DC Converters are completely encapsulated. With a cast aluminium case and all electronics protectively moulded in resin, the units are waterproof (to IP67 standard), shockproof and ignition protected. The Victron DC-DC Converters come with extra long 1.8-metre input and output cables meaning that, in most cases, there will be no need to use any intermediate cabling or interconnections. The Victron DC-DC Converters… Read More