Bay of Islands Sailing Week calls for help—and not in the way you might expect. This time, it’s not about volunteer hands on deck or support boats on the course. Instead, organisers are on a mission to preserve the rich, colourful history of the regatta, and they’re reaching out to the sailing community for memories, photos, and stories that capture its early years.
The call went out in July 2025: “Help us remember the history of Bay of Islands Sailing Week!” Now in its 22nd year, the regatta has grown into the country’s premier big-boat sailing event. But the organisers have discovered a significant gap in their historical archives—particularly in photographs from 2003 to 2013—and they’re hoping past participants, spectators, and local families can help piece together the missing history.
A regatta built on vision and community
The Bay of Islands Sailing Week calls for help at a time when the event’s early story deserves to be celebrated. The regatta was founded in 2003 by Nina and Tony Kiff, who arrived in New Zealand in 1992 after sailing across the world with their children aboard Wetherley, their 1972 Nicholson 45. Inspired by Cowes Week in the UK, the Kiffs envisioned a world-class event in New Zealand’s most scenic sailing location.
Nina and Tony Kiff: The visionaries behind the Bay of Islands Sailing Week
With support from the Opua, Kerikeri, Russell, and Bay of Islands yacht clubs—and a combined contribution of just $500—they pushed forward. That first regatta, run out of a caravan and striped tent on Opua Wharf, attracted 39 boats across four divisions. Today, the event hosts hundreds of sailors from across the country and overseas, and it continues to be run by volunteers with the same grassroots energy.
The origins of Bay of Islands Sailing Week: How it all began
But while the future of the event looks bright, the early records are patchy. That’s why the Bay of Islands Sailing Week calls for help in tracking down old regatta stories and images—especially from the event’s first decade.
What they’re looking for
The organising committee wants to hear about the unforgettable moments that made the regatta what it is today. That could be the day the heavens opened in 2007, a last-minute crew swap that won a race, or the time a top-tier international sailor unexpectedly showed up at the start line. If a story made you laugh, cry, or shout with excitement—it’s worth sharing.
Photos are especially in demand from 2003–2013. Whether they’re saved to an old USB stick, buried in an email inbox, or printed in an album somewhere at the bach, these images are vital to the regatta’s legacy. If you raced in those years, volunteered, or even just watched from the shore, the committee wants to hear from you. Even second-hand stories from parents or grandparents could help fill the gaps.
These contributions will help build a permanent record of the Bay of Islands Sailing Week’s legacy—one that reflects not only the results, but the people, personalities, and moments that made the event memorable.
Why this matters now
As the Bay of Islands Sailing Week calls for help, it’s more than just a nostalgic project. It’s an opportunity to capture the culture and camaraderie that define this iconic regatta. For many, it’s been more than just a week of racing. It’s been a yearly tradition, a reason to travel north, a place where life-long sailing friendships have formed.
With so much history wrapped up in this event—and with many of the original organisers and competitors still active in the sailing world—now is the time to document that collective memory before it’s lost. This is your chance to be part of the story and help preserve the spirit of one of New Zealand’s most cherished regattas.
How to contribute
To help, visit www.bayofislandssailingweek.org.nz or message the organisers via the Bay of Islands Sailing Week Facebook page. They’re accepting photos, stories, video footage, and written memories.
Whether you have a snapshot of your crew crossing the line, a favourite tale from a prizegiving night, or an image of that old striped tent at Opua Wharf, your memory could be the piece they’re looking for.
