AGM season is in full swing, and Yachting New Zealand has produced a Club Committee Member Induction Guide to help clubs bring incoming committee members up to speed. The guide offers a practical introduction to the responsibilities of a club officer under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022, covering key governance duties in a format clubs can use as-is or adapt to their own needs.
For governance questions heading into the new season, contact Regional Development, Governance and Advocacy Manager Ingrid Harder at ingrid@yachtingnz.org.nz.
Clubs are also being asked to weigh in on the future of the Clean Club environmental programme. The review wants to hear what's working, what's proving difficult, and what support would make participation easier. The programme has backed clubs around New Zealand in improving their environmental practices for many years, with the aim of keeping it practical, relevant and engaging for clubs of all sizes. Feedback goes to Regional Development and Sustainability Manager Hayley Dawe at hayleyd@yachtingnz.org.nz.
On the race officials front, a National Race Officer course in Taupō, presented by John and Linda Parish, drew strong praise for both the tutoring and the value of face-to-face learning. Several events are coming up for those looking to progress their officiating credentials: a Combined Race Officials Conference at Pleasant Point Yacht Club in Christchurch on 29 August, the National Judge Course at Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club on 5–6 September, and a Club Umpire Course plus National Umpire (Match Racing) Seminar at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron on 15 and 17–18 October.
Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club will mark 25 years of Women on Water on 15 August. Racing runs across two divisions, open to all-female crews, boats with a woman at the helm for the full race, and mixed crews with women as part of the team. The day finishes with a three-course dinner, prizegiving and live music.
Reggae Shark has taken out Round Three of the Burnsco Elliott 5.9 Traveller Series at Whitianga, overturning a two-point overnight deficit to beat series leader Revelry by five points. Eight boats competed at Mercury Bay Boating Club across 10 races, with Reggae Shark dominant over the final four. Revelry holds the overall lead with two rounds still to run at Russell and Sandspit.
The Lewmar Triple Series, run by SSANZ, heads into its final race with the leaderboard tightening across several divisions after a tough second race in strong conditions.
Three Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron teams put in strong results at the 59th Governor's Cup in Newport Beach. Josh Hyde, Oliver Lloyd and Vassilis Katsaitis finished third overall, Sam Scott, Finn Balchin, Alissa Marshall and Hugo McMullen placed sixth, and Ethan Fong, Harry McMullen and Lucas Day rounded out the regatta in 10th.
Taikata Sailing Club will host its inaugural Backwater Champs on Saturday, 8 August, with J14s, Frostbites, Idles, IAs and other classes racing short courses from a 1.30pm first warning signal. More than 20 boats are expected, with entries taken on the day from 11am to 1pm.
Waikawa Boating Club's inaugural Men's Health Night drew strong attendance and warm feedback. Dr Andrew Wilson led a relaxed but candid session covering life expectancy trends, the impact of modern medical advances, preventative health checks and the importance of staying proactive about wellbeing at every stage of life.
The 1911 three-masted Bark EUROPA will arrive in Auckland between 8 and 12 October as part of its Pacific voyage, with berths available for a Cook Islands–Tonga–Auckland passage and a Cape Horn expedition from Auckland to Ushuaia, Argentina. Guests sail alongside the professional crew, taking part in watchkeeping, helming, sail handling and navigation.
The RNZYS is hosting a ball for 18 to 23-year-olds on Saturday, 19 September, organised by the Emirates Team New Zealand Youth Training Programme team. Running from 7pm to midnight, the evening includes a welcome drink, food throughout, a live DJ and photobooth. Tickets are $110 for RNZYS members and $120 for non-members, with valid photo ID required on arrival.
