Calling all vessels: Join the Sail Past and help bring the harbour to life

As we gear up for Auckland Anniversary Day, we’re excited to share something entirely new for this year’s regatta: the Auckland Anniversary Sail Past – a harbour-wide procession celebrating our city’s rich maritime culture.

The Sail Past will take place at midday on Anniversary Day, starting from Westhaven, following the city shoreline, then sweeping across to the North Shore before finishing off North Head.

It’s designed to be one of the standout spectacles of the day, with vessels of all shapes and sizes moving together in a spectacular parade.

The Sail Past is open to everyone, whether or not you’re competing in the regatta. Classic launches, modern powerboats, keelboats, multihulls, workboats – if it floats and you want to be part of something special, there’s a place for you.

For yachts heading into the Harbour Race, the finish at North Head offers ideal positioning for the Resolution Buoy start shortly afterward.

Participation is free, and anyone who registers is warmly invited to join us later at the RNZYS After Party, where the Royal New Zealand Navy Band will be providing live entertainment. It’s a chance to come together as a community, celebrate Auckland’s maritime heritage, and start a new regatta-day tradition that we hope will grow each year.

To join the Sail Past, simply register on the website:

Once registered, you’ll receive details about the formation plan, timing, and everything you need to take part.

Whether you’re racing later in the day or simply keen to be part of the spectacle, we’d love to see your boat in the procession. Help us create something memorable on the Waitematā and bring the harbour to life this Anniversary Day.