Notice of Race

1.0 RULES

1.1 Keelboat, Dinghy and Foiling Classes, Radio-Controlled yachts will be governed by the rules as defined in the Racing Rules of Sailing 2025-2028.

1.2 Tugboat and Classic Launch events will be governed by the New Zealand Maritime Transport Act, Maritime Rules Part 22, Collision Prevention.

1.3 Attention is drawn to Part II clause 2.0 of Yachting New Zealand (YNZ) Safety Regulations: The Maritime Transport Act 1994 states that the master of the vessel is at all times responsible for the safety of the vessel, the safety of those on board, discipline on board and for complying with all maritime rules, regulations, and bylaws.

1.4 The YNZ Safety Regulations Part I shall apply to un-ballasted centerboard boats, open boats, and sailboards.

1.5 The YNZ Safety Regulations Part II Category 5 shall apply to keelboats and multihull boats except for the Passage Races where Category 4 shall apply to keelboats & multihull boats. It is recommended that all boats shall carry an inflated dinghy, a life-raft or tow a rigid dinghy capable of carrying the entire crew as per YNZ Safety Regulations.

1.6 The YNZ Safety Regulations Part III Category C shall apply to trailer yachts.

1.7 The YNZ Sports Boat Regulations Part IV Category B shall apply to sports boats.

1.8 Racing Rules of Auckland Dragon Boating shall apply to Dragon Boats

 

2.0 ADVERTISING

2.1   Boats may be required to display advertising chosen and supplied by the organising authority

 

3.0 ELIGIBILITY AND ENTRY

3.1 The regatta is open to boats that comply with Clause 1.0 of the NOR

3.2 The entry fees are as follows:

3.2.1 Keelboats, Trailer Yachts, Tugboats & Classic Launches	$40.00 incl GST
3.2.2 Dragon Boats, Waka Ama canoes	$20.00 incl GST
3.2.3 Dinghy and Foiling Classes	$20.00 incl GST
3.2.4 Radio Controlled Yachts	$20.00 incl GST

 

3.3 Entries under 3.2.1 will close at 1700 hours on Friday 23 January 2026.

Late Entries: will close at 1700hrs on Saturday 24 January 2026.  Late Entries: $50.00

Entries can be completed online www.regatta.org.nz

3.4     Entries under 3.2.2, 3.2.3 and 3.2.4 can be completed online at host clubs or completed at the applicable venue on the day of the Regatta.
Entries will close 60 minutes prior to the warning signal for the first race.

3.5     Measurement certificates should be available if requested.

3.6     Keelboats may use extras

 

4.0 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

4.1 Dragon Boat Racing – Viaduct Harbour

Briefing:  08300hrs              Race Start:  0900hrs

4.2 Waitemata Harbour – Tugboat Race

Roll call:  0900hrs             Warning Signal: 0955hrs        RaceStart: 1000hrs

4.3 Waitemata Harbour – Classic Launch Race

Roll call: 1030hrs               Warning Signal: 1055hrs       Race Start 1100hrs

4.4 Anniversary Regatta Sail Past

12noon: Westhaven to North Head - open to all yachts, launches, tugboats

4.5 Waitemata Harbour Races – Keelboats and Waka

	Warning Signal:
A Classic  & Modern	1255hrs
Division 1 (Over 9.5m)	1300hrs
Division 2 (Up to 9.5m)	1305hrs
B Classic	1310hrs
Waka Ama	1315hrs
Tall Ships and Waka Hourua	1320hrs

 

4.6     Mahurangi to Westhaven Passage Race
Division M1                                 Warning Signal 0855hrs   – Keelboats Open

4.7    Rakino to Westhaven Passage Race
Division R1                                   Warning Signal 0955hrs – Keelboats & Reactor 25

4.8    Centreboard Races: Waitemata Harbour

Murrays Bay Sailing Club

29er; 420

29er and 420 Auckland Championships will be held over Anniversary Weekend
24-26 January 2026, incorporating Auckland Anniversary Regatta on the Monday.

Registration and Briefing details as per Murrays Bay Sailing Club: www.murraysbay.org

Manly Sailing Club

O’pen Skiff; RS Feva; Zephyrs; Cherubs; Wingfoil

Registration: 0930-1030hrs    Briefing: 1100hrs      Warning signal Race 1 -1155hrs

www.manlysailingclub.org.nz

Kohimarama Yacht Club

Optimist, Optimist Green and Starling Auckland Championships will be held over Anniversary Weekend 24-26 January 2026, incorporating Auckland Anniversary Regatta on the Monday.

Registration and Briefing details as per Kohimarama Yacht Club: www.kyc.org.nz

Narrow Neck Beach

Sea Scout Cutters; Navy Crown; Sunbursts

Registration:   0930hrs             Briefing: 1000hrs      Warning signal Race 1: 1025hrs

Tamaki Yacht Club

ILCA 6; ILCA 7

Briefing: 1130hr                        Warning signal Race 1- 1230hrs       www.tyc.org.nz

Takapuna Boating Club

24-26 January 2026 Two Day and One Day Event options

Windfoil; Kitefoil; Waszp; Moths; A Class; Hobie; RS Quest: Farr 3.7

Registration: 0900hrs               Warning Signal Race 1 - 1200hrs

www.takapunaboating.org.nz

Please note:  Notices and Supplementary Sailing Instructions will be displayed on the official notice board on the main deck of the Takapuna Boating Club and online

4.9    Radio Controlled Yachts

Electron Class - Westhaven Marina (Marine Industries Association Pontoon)

Briefing:  0930hrs         Warning signal Race 1 – 0958hrs

International One Metre – St Mary’s Bay

Warning signal Race 1 – 1200hrs

 

5.0 SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

Sailing Instructions for Events 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7 will be available on www.regatta.org.nz prior to 1 December 2025

Sailing Instructions for Events 4.1, 4.8, 4.9 will be available at the host venues on the day of the Regatta.

 

6.0 RACING AREA

The race areas will be the Hauraki Gulf, Waitemata and Viaduct Harbours and Westhaven Marina.

 

7.0 COURSES TO BE SAILED

The courses will be described in the Sailing Instructions applicable to the respective venues

 

8.0 SCORING

8.1 Handicaps will be set by the AAR with assistance from Clubs, Class Associations and YNZ.

8.2 No score will be excluded.

 

9.0 ALTERNATIVE PENALTIES

RRS Rule 44.1 shall apply for all boats.   Appendix P may also apply.

 

10.0 PRIZES

Prizes and trophies will be presented at the Official Prizegiving, Tuesday 17 February 2026
Venue:  Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron

 

11.0     RIGHTS TO USE NAME & LIKENESS

11.1     By participating in an Auckland Anniversary Regatta or host event, competitors automatically grant to the Organising Authority and the event sponsors the right, in perpetuity, to make, use, and show, at their discretion, any photography, audio and video recordings, and other reproductions of them made at the venue or on the water from the time of their arrival at the venue, until their final departure, without compensation.

11.2     All those who take part in any event as competitors, as well as support crew, spectators and officials agree to be overflown by a drone during the duration of the event. This includes your person and your property (boats).

 

12.0     RISK STATEMENT

12.1     RRS 3 states: “The responsibility for a boat’s decision to participate in a race or to continue racing is hers alone.” By participating in this event each competitor agrees and acknowledges that sailing is a potentially dangerous activity with inherent risks. These risks include strong winds and rough seas sudden changes in weather, failure of equipment, boat handling errors, poor seamanship by other boats, loss of balance on an unstable platform and fatigue resulting in increased risk of injury. Inherent in the sport of sailing is the risk of permanent, catastrophic injury or death by drowning, trauma, hypothermia or other causes.

13.     DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY

All those taking part in Auckland Anniversary Regatta (AAR) races or any other sailing events  controlled by the AAR, do so at their own risk and responsibility. The AAR and any sponsor associated with this event has no liability for any damage, loss or penalty suffered by any boat, crew or other person taking part in such events. The AAR and any sponsor associated with this event shall not be responsible for the sea-worthiness of a boat whose entry is accepted and/or the sufficiency and/or adequacy of its equipment or the competence of its skipper and crew. The AAR reserves the right in its sole and uncontrolled discretion to refuse any entry.

 

 

Dated: 1 November 2025

Last amended: 17 November 2025

Amendment 1: 4.5 Waitemata Harbour Races – Keelboats and Waka