Late January delivers one of the best sailing runs of the New Zealand summer. From Northland to the Hauraki Gulf, crews can stitch together days of racing, cruising, and classic Kiwi regatta culture across the Auckland Anniversary Weekend.
The pre-weekend action starts north with Bay of Islands Sailing Week (19–23 January). Widely regarded as New Zealand’s premier multi class keelboat regatta, BOISW blends competitive racing with a relaxed summer atmosphere. Inshore courses, island races, and divisions for everything from sports boats to Young 88s make it easy for mixed fleets to find their groove.
Bay of Islands Sailing Week 2026: New Zealand’s summer regatta is back
From Friday 23 January, the focus shifts south. Mahurangi Regatta (23–25 January) anchors Auckland Anniversary Weekend for classic boat owners and heritage enthusiasts. Based around Mahurangi Harbour and Scotts Landing, the regatta mixes classic yacht racing, launch parades, waka, and dinghies with strong shoreside hospitality. It is as much about community and tradition as it is about the racing, with the Saturday night BBQ a highlight.
Mahurangi Weekend returns to the classic calendar in January 2026
Running in parallel is Kawau Race Week (23–25 January), a new and deliberately relaxed addition to the calendar. Organised by Ponsonby Cruising Club, it offers straightforward racing, good get-togethers, and easy access around Kawau Island. Importantly, it wraps up the day before Anniversary Day, giving crews time to reposition without rushing.
The final day of the Bay of Islands Sailing Week overlaps neatly with the first day of Kawau Race Week, and that crossover is intentional. Boats can drop in for a day at a time without pressure.
All roads then lead to the Waitematā for the Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta on Monday 26 January. As New Zealand’s oldest sporting event, it brings together an unmatched mix of vessels, from classic yachts and tugboats to modern dinghies and foilers. Free to watch and impossible to miss, it is the natural finale to a long, very Kiwi weekend on the water.
For crews willing to pace themselves, Auckland Anniversary Weekend is not one regatta, it is a full summer circuit.
