Auckland welcomes the Tall Ships fleet this weekend

Auckland’ welcomes the arrival of the fleet from the Sydney Auckland Regatta, organised by Sail Training International, this weekend. 

Seven ships and hundreds of sailors are now on their way having participated in Tall Ships Festivals in Sydney and Melbourne, and raced in the inaugural trans Tasman Tall Ships race (from Sydney to Opua). The race fleet experienced all types of weather conditions, from flat calms to winds of 45 knots (severe gale force) with gusts of over 60 knots (Hurricane force) reported by the most southerly vessel Young Endeavour.

They will sail up the Waitemata, arriving in Auckland at approximately 1500 (local time) Friday 25 October. They will be joined by four other New Zealand Tall Ships, the HMNZS Wellington from the Royal New Zealand Navy and two sailing waka.  

This will be a magnificent spectacle as these extraordinary vessels – led by Spirit of New Zealand – are guided by Maori Waka from North Head to their berths at Queens, Hobson and Princes wharves.

The Tall Ships fleet will enter the harbour in the following sequence:

Haunui – waka

Aotaroa One – waka

HMNZS Wellington

Spirit of New Zealand

Young Endeavour (Australia)

Oosterschelde (Netherlands)

Breeze (Voyager NZ Maritime Museum)

Jane Gifford (Warkworth)

Ted Ashby (Voyager NZ Maritime Museum)

R. Tucker Thompson (Whangarei)

Lord Nelson (UK)

Picton Castle (Canada)

Tecla (Netherlands)

Europa (Netherlands) 

The ships will be open to the public on both Saturday and Sunday.   At 1000, Saturday 26 October, crews will march along the waterfront from Voyager NZ Maritime Museum to The Cloud led by the Royal New Zealand Navy Band.  An official welcome and Powhiri will be held at The Cloud.  The Cloud will then become the centre of  fun filled family activities for both Saturday and Sunday.  

Alastair Aitken, Chairman Voyager NZ Maritime Museum Trust Board said, äóìWe are delighted to be involved in coordinating a visit from these magnificent Tall Ships.  We must not forget the historical significance of Tall Ships in the European settlement of New Zealand.  So many European families took that long arduous journey from the United Kingdom to our shores in Tall Ships.äó

The Tall Ships Festival Director and former Spirit of Adventure CEO, John Lister said, äóìThis is a wonderful opportunity for Aucklanders to witness the spectacle of a Tall Ships fleet.  It’ rare for such a group of ships to be in our part of the world and it’s too good an opportunity to let slip by.äó

The Tall Ships depart from Orakei Wharf at 1300, Monday 28 October.

For more information visit:

www.akltallships.co.nz

www.facebook.com/akltallships

About the vessels

The ships represent a great diversity of design and contrasting appearance.   

The largest Tall Ship is the venerable 102 year old three masted bark Europa, originally built in Germany now belonging to Holland.  Europa is complimented by the schooner Oosterschelde – acknowledged as a monument for Dutch shipbuilding and maritime navigation under sail.  She too seven days, four hourrs 45 mins a