Yacht clubs that have paid workers must comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act.
Health and safety law overhaul for NZ workplaces
Clubs that have paid workers must comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act. Under the amended Act, organisations with fewer than 20 workers would have a simplified set of duties, making compliance easier. Small PCBUs would generally be required to focus on managing critical risks and provide basic welfare (e.g. first aid, emergency plans, safe facilities). The Bill also aims to reduce confusion about responsibilities, including between governance (boards/committees) and operational management.
Other key changes in the Act include:
Clearer duties for directors,
The Bunnings Coaching Legend of the Year will win $25,000 for their club.
Coaching Legends nominations open
Volunteer coaches from Yachting New Zealand-affiliated clubs are being encouraged to enter the Bunnings Warehouse Coaching Legends programme, which recognises outstanding contributions to community sport.
Nominations are now open, with weekly, monthly and national awards culminating in a $25,000 prize for the Coaching Legend of the Year’s club.
Click here to nominate.
A total of 135 entries competed at the event last weekend.
Big fleet for Auckland Junior Winter Sprint Series
The third leg of the 2026 Auckland Junior Winter Sprint Series was held at Wakatere Boating Club last weekend, following earlier rounds at Murrays Bay Sailing Club in May and Royal Akarana Yacht Club in June.
Despite lighter conditions, most fleets completed two races, with Optimist White managing three, and sailors enjoying a winter day on the water.
A total of 135 entries competed across seven fleets, with class winners including Dallas Noyer (P Class), Tommy Liu (Optimist White), Zephyr Lane, and Aurora Edhouse (Optimist Open), Ollie Rainbird (Optimist Green), Guangnian Li and Nico Cheng (RS Feva), and Roberto Beavis, and Lucy Eaton (Starling).
Final results and standings here.
Students from Nelson Intermediate School learnt more about the penguin population through an immersive virtual reality marine conservation experience.
Nelson Yacht Club backs kororā project
In late June, students from Nelson Intermediate School teamed up with Nelson Yacht Club, the Otago Marine Studies Centre and Nelson City Council to build nesting boxes and learn about the little blue penguin population living beneath the club, including through an immersive virtual reality marine conservation experience.
Several Yachting New Zealand sailors attended the Winter Dip at Takapuna Beach.
Takapuna Boating Club supports World Ocean Day
Members of Takapuna Boating Club joined Live Ocean, the New Zealand SailGP Team and dozens of others to brave the chilly water for the annual Winter Dip at Takapuna Beach.
The annual event, held on 7 June this year, included several Yachting New Zealand sailors to mark World Ocean Day and show support for healthier oceans.
The club’s pontoon is set for refurbishment ahead of the new season.
Christchurch Yacht Club begins pontoon refurbishment
Christchurch Yacht Club removed its pontoon from the water last weekend to begin a major refurbishment, with volunteers set to clean off marine growth before structural repairs and upgrades ahead of its planned return for Opening Day in early September.
Jeremy Cope and the Time Out crew.
Richmond Yacht Club celebrates season champs
Earlier this week, Richmond Yacht Club congratulated Jeremy Cope and the Time Out crew on winning the club’s champion title, with additional season awards recognising racing results, contributions and perseverance across a successful year.
Entries for Race 2 of the SSANZ Lewmar Triple Series are now open. Photo / Live Sail Die
Lewmar Triple series gets underway
The Short-handed Sailing Association of New Zealand fleet enjoyed sunny conditions for Race 1 of the SSANZ Lewmar Triple Series, with division wins going to Attitude, Motorboat III, Drinks Trolley, Satellite, Go, Wasted Away, Sham Pain, Blackout, Hot Gossip, Arrogant Frog, Starmaker and Livewire.
Entries for Race 2 on 25 July are now open.
Click here for full results.
Taipa Sailing Club raised over $10,000 after suffering severe damage to its roof from Cyclone Tam last year.
Taipa Sailing Club enjoys winter cruise
Taipa Sailing Club members recently took advantage of a clear winter day for a sail to Reids Beach, while the club continues recovery efforts following damage to its clubhouse last year. The club, based at Taipa Point in Doubtless Bay, managed to raise over $10,000 from donations after half of its roof was lifted and folded over the other during severe weather in April 2025.
Get tickets now for day of sailing and socialising
The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron will host its Women’s Day Out on 22 August, presented by Barfoot & Thompson.
The event promises a full day of sailing, socialising and entertainment — tickets are on sale now via this link.
Matariki festival returns to Evans Bay
Entries are now open for the 2026 Te Ākautangi Matariki Festival at Evans Bay Yacht and Power Boat Club from 10 to 12 July.
Jointly run with Tai Tonga 41 Outrigger Canoe Club, the event features the Matariki Classic yacht race, waka ama marathon and a club regatta celebrating Matariki.
Click here for more information and to enter.
The training brought together members from the club as well as community leaders from across the city.
Milford Cruising Club hosts Red Cross first-aid training
Milford Cruising Club hosted a Red Cross Psychological First Aid course on 19 June as part of training for Community Emergency Hub volunteers and local community members involved in emergency response readiness.
The session brought together members from the club, the Milford Residents Association, Pupuke Birdsong Project, Auckland Emergency Management and other community leaders across the city.
The training focused on practical ways to support people in distress during personal or large-scale emergencies, with thanks to Red Cross for facilitating the course at no cost.
Registrations open for Waikawa women’s regatta
Waikawa Boating Club is calling for registrations for the Gela Skincare Waikawa Women’s Regatta, to be held 12–13 September 2026.
The regatta includes two divisions, catering for both experienced racers and sailors looking to build skills in a supported environment.
It will feature a mix of racing, learning opportunities and on-water experiences, alongside the Taste of Marlborough raft-up and guest speaker Olympic gold medallist and Yachting New Zealand regional development and coaching manager, Jenny Armstrong.
Click here to enter.
Royal Port Nic to host clean-up day
Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club will host the Ghost Divers on Saturday (4 July), as more than 25 divers from Wellington and Rotorua undertake a major marina clean-up.
Club members are being asked to assist throughout the day and support shore-based operations.
The club will also host the visiting team from 6pm, with bar support required to welcome divers after the clean-up.
Ponsonby Cruising Club’s new committee was elected late last month.
Ponsonby Cruising Club elects new committee
Ponsonby Cruising Club elected its 2026/27 committee late last month, welcoming a new group of members into key leadership roles.
The club congratulated all appointees and thanked those stepping up to support the year ahead.
Commodore Grant MacDuff will lead the committee, alongside vice commodore Rob Algie and rear commodore Laura Lowther.
Other appointments include president Colin Sykes, secretary Dianne Billings and treasurer Tania Nigh, with additional delegates named across sailing and management committees.
Originally published by Yachting New Zealand.
