A reason to visit Auckland’s waterfront
From 13–15 March 2026, Auckland’s waterfront will once again echo with the sound of caulking mallets, creaking rigging, and sea shanties. The Auckland Wooden Boat Festival is back for its second edition, shining a spotlight on the timeless craft of wooden boatbuilding and the heritage of Auckland’s seafaring past.
The free, family-friendly festival will spread across four linked venues — the Viaduct Events Centre, Jellicoe Harbour, the New Zealand Maritime Museum, and the historic Percy Vos Heritage Boat Shed. Together they’ll form a hub of maritime storytelling, hands-on workshops, and on-water spectacle.
Living heritage on the water
At the inaugural 2024 event more than 200 boats, models, and memorabilia were on show, with 11,600 people flocking to see them. In 2026, organisers aim to expand the fleet and create an even larger platform for wooden boat enthusiasts, craftspeople, and everyday Aucklanders.
Visitors can expect to see everything from grand classic yachts and restored kauri launches to dinghies, waka, and home-built canoes. Many will be open for tours, giving festivalgoers a rare chance to step aboard some of New Zealand’s most iconic craft.
“This is a reason to be in Auckland that weekend,” says Tony Stevenson, Co-Director of the festival and Chair of the Tino Rawa Trust. “We not only expect our local classic boating community, but also Aucklanders from across the region, visitors from around New Zealand, and international enthusiasts.”
More than just boats
The programme will feature interactive displays, seminars, knot-tying and boatbuilding workshops, music, and food. At the Maritime Museum, a seminar and film series will explore themes from Pacific voyaging to the preservation of New Zealand’s classic fleet. Kids can try their hand at rowing, paddling, or learning the ropes, while parents browse stalls, books, and memorabilia.
Nick Hill, Chief Executive at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, says the festival is a vital part of Moana Auckland. “It reflects our commitment to showcasing the heritage and stories that connect us to the ocean, while providing a world-class experience for locals and visitors alike.”
Auckland at the heart of wooden boat culture
New Zealand is home to the largest active fleet of classic yachts in the world, many of them restored with passion and skill by generations of local shipwrights. The Auckland Wooden Boat Festival puts this heritage centre-stage, telling stories from early Māori voyaging through to the golden era of Logan Brothers yachts, and beyond to today’s community of sailors and restorers.
With its mix of living history, hands-on learning, and good-natured fun, the 2026 festival promises to be a highlight of the boating calendar and a proud feature of Auckland’s identity as a city of the sea.
