When yachts return to New Zealand this season, they’ll be greeted with a brand new facility unlike anything seen in the region to date.

New Zealand Millennium Cup platinum sponsor Orams Marine has recently completed a multi-year upgrade to its facilities, which has included the addition of two fully-enclosed superyacht buildings.

The central Auckland shipyard has created the superyacht hub of the South Pacific with the upgrade of its superyacht-specific refit facilities within the specialist refit yard. The development sees it equipped it to haul out the largest world-cruising yachts for refit and maintenance with an extended hardstand, additional 90 metre marinas, deep water access, no air draft restriction and further facilities to haul out and service large vessels.

The two strikingly-large superyacht buildings, able to accommodate yachts within the slings of an 820 tonne travel lift for covered work in a controlled environment, have been one of the key milestones in the upgrade.

Winter 2023 saw the first project completed within the superyacht buildings with an extensive refit on 40 metre Vijonara carried out entirely in the controlled environment of one of the new buildings.  Each of the 60 metre superyacht buildings is accessed by Orams Marine’s 820 tonne travel lift, allowing work to an exacting standard of control and quality.

Gantry cranes are fitted within the structure for an efficient process and the two new superyacht buildings come as an addition to Orams Marine’s existing 50 metre marine work shed and extensive hardstand workspaces.

Contact Orams Marine for more details. 

New Zealand’s Millennium Cup is open for entries after the release of the notice of race this week.

With the announcement last month it would be raced in Auckland in 2024, early competitors have signed up already prior to the release of the Notice of Race.

The captain of one of those early entries, Matt Lovett of S/Y Sassafras, is looking forward to competing on Auckland waters.

“The team on Sassafras is excited at the prospect of racing in the New Zealand Millennium Cup after a two year hiatus. The Waitemata Harbour and Hauraki Gulf offer a world-class sailing venue, with the backdrop of the City of Sails, home of the holder of the America’s Cup. We look forward to competing with visiting yachts and crews, to make the New Zealand Millennium Cup 2024 the best yet.”

The regatta’s notice of race release adds to a resurgence of superyacht activity in the South Pacific which includes industry events across Tahiti and Fiji, and growing numbers of the superyacht fleet forecast to arrive in the next seasons.

Sponsors are also returning to the race, with Platinum sponsor Orams Marine once again joining the regatta. The central Auckland shipyard has recently completed a multi-year upgrade equipping it to haul out the largest world cruising yachts for refit and maintenance. This has included the addition of two strikingly-large superyacht buildings, able to accommodate yachts within the slings of an 820 tonne travel lift for covered work in a controlled environment.

The entry form and Notice of Race are available online now at millenniumcup.com. The regatta is comprised of New Zealand Millennium Cup, Multihull, and Corinthian divisions, with the role of principle race office, filled by Harold Bennett.

For more information see millenniumcup.com or find regatta representatives in Tahiti in late July, Fiji from 22-26 August, and at all major European yacht shows

​Photo ©New Zealand Millennium Cup | Lucas Sprague

The South Pacific’s superyacht regatta will move from the Bay of Islands to Auckland next year, running from 23-26 February.
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New Zealand’s loved Millennium Cup regatta will move to Auckland next year, it has been announced.

“As our sister regatta the Superyacht Cup Palma gets underway this week, we’re very pleased to share the NZ Millennium Cup will add its name to the superyacht regattas raced in the heart of port cities,” says organiser Stacey Cook.

“When the New Zealand Millennium Cup is raced from 23 - 26th February 2024, it will be with Auckland, the City of Sails, as its backdrop.”

The regatta is known for fun, exciting racing with a Kiwi flavour all of its own. Moving the regatta to Auckland means it will be adjacent to the country’s largest superyacht marinas and comes as part of a summer of events supported by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited. 

In recent years the regatta has been raced in the picturesque cruising ground of the Bay of Islands in the country’s north, with the move to Auckland ensuring superyacht owners can fly directly to Auckland and begin racing in this world-renowned sailing destination.

New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland sits on an isthmus between two large harbours with the natural playground long-revered by sailors. With thriving hospitality and entertainment precincts fringing the water, it’s a location which lends itself to world-class regattas and enjoyable events both on and off the ocean.
Entry to the regatta will open soon, with entry forms available online from millenniuncup.com once entry is released.

The NZ Millennium Cup has been postponed. The Cup's new dates will run from 12-15 February, 2024. 

"Our aim is always to run the best event possible, and the decision has been made to postpone the NZ Millennium Cup to 2024 to ensure we do just that," says Stacey Cook. 

"With the support of our sponsors and entries, we know 2024 is going to present exceptional racing for our guests."

The New Zealand Millennium Cup is challenging multihulls to a race. With a reputation for fun, competitive racing, organisers have opened up the playing field to multihulls 18 metres and over, allowing them to join this bucket list race that takes place in New Zealand’s subtropical Bay of Islands.

“With courses that make the most of the 144 islets of the Bay, spread over this wide-ranging aquatic playground, we can’t wait to see more multihulls out there making it their own,” says organiser Stacey Cook.
The NZ Millennium Cup is formed of three classes; the NZ Millennium Cup Class, Corinthian Class and Multihull Class.

“We are excited to accept multihulls 18 metres and above to the multihull class; bring on the racing!”

The 260 km² of the Bay of Islands provides the perfect platform for multihulls to show their speed, with race officials designing multihull courses within the exciting conditions the race has become known for. The NZ Millennium Cup is renowned for its fun, competitive racing within the startlingly-beautiful scenery and wildlife of Northland.

Racing takes place from 13th to 16th February 2023, and the 18 to 23.9 metre multihull division will be awarded its own prizes during evening events at race headquarters, the Duke of Marlborough.

One multihull division winner will be going home with the title of inaugural multihull champion of the New Zealand Millennium Cup when the final prize giving wraps up on 16th February.

The destination of choice for superyachts in February is back, as racing returns to the South Pacific with the New Zealand Millennium Cup in 2023.

The New Zealand Millennium Cup’s notice of race has been released.

After a hiatus in 2022, the 2023 edition of the race is already drawing in yachts with a number of early entries signing up before the official release. Raced in New Zealand’s Bay of Islands, the New Zealand Millennium Cup is the world’s most southerly superyacht regatta with superyachts journeying from across the globe to race in the sailing Mecca of New Zealand.

The 144 islets of the Bay of Islands make a startlingly beautiful backdrop for the superyachts which compete in the Cup. February’s summer weather and rising afternoon winds provide perfect racing conditions for this regatta, which has become renowned for its on-water competitiveness and on-land hospitality.

Hoek-designed, Pendennis-built 39 metre Halekai will join the racing for the first time this year, seeing Truly Classic lines return to the Bay. She’ll line up against repeat competitors like 34 metre Royal Huisman-built Sassafras and 40 metre Ed Dubois designed Janice of Wyoming.

“As long-time competitors in the New Zealand Millennium Cup, Sassafras and her crew are excited to be returning to the Bay of Islands for the 2023 edition of this regatta. After missing the 2022 season we look forward to once again racing in one of the world’s best sailing venues,” says S/Y Sassafras captain Matt Lovett.

“I encourage all superyachts visiting the South Pacific to seriously consider entering this extremely well-run, great-fun regatta. As sailors taking part in the NZ Millennium Cup, we enjoy fair competitive racing on the waters of the Bay of Islands, and excellent social events ashore.”
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As the refit and charter base of the South Pacific, which is proving an increasingly popular charter destination, the regatta provides another drawcard to New Zealand. The Pacific nation is equipped with world-class refit facilities and charter friendly legislation.

Find the Notice of Race and entry form online now and see Superyacht New Zealand to plan your journey.

​Coordinated superyacht chartering procedures in the main South Pacific countries, eased border restrictions, safe cruising, diversity of sights and new marina and refit facilities, have created irresistible cruising in the world’s most undiscovered destination; the South Pacific.

Earth’s playground is open for business. New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji and Australia have coordinated superyacht procedures for ease of cruising across this ultimate destination.

Each country boasts widely-differing and interesting cultures, sights and cruising grounds, but with the added bonus of closely aligned charter and entry rules. This allows yachts to enjoy multiple seasons across the vast blue of the South Pacific, including consecutive charter seasons.

All four countries have announced removal of Covid-19 border restrictions and from August 2022, visiting yachts can stay two or more years in each country on a revolving basis that now allows them to enjoy the South Pacific indefinitely.

The coordination allows superyachts to create multiple charter seasons across the wide blue spaces of the South Pacific. With the countries dotted down the Pacific and each equipped with superyacht
infrastructure, yachts are able to plan seasons in Tahiti and Fiji, before moving on to spend time in New Zealand and Australia, and back into the islands if they choose. The refit hub of New Zealand allows for warrantee repairs and service schedules for new builds, or complex refits to be undertaken to facilitate multiple seasons.

The South Pacific offers a year-long summer climate for charter yachts, with the Tahiti and Fiji season from May to October and the New Zealand and Australian season from October to May.

The islands of the South Pacific deliver idyllic atolls, white sand beaches, crystalline waters and rich cultural experiences, while New Zealand boasts an adventure around every headland, award-winning hospitality, the adrenaline capital of the world, and ancient landscapes. Australia is a haven for wildlife found nowhere else on earth, cosmopolitan cities, and long reaches of white, sandy coastline.

With endless stretches of islands and beaches, untouched dive sites, superyacht-friendly legislation, safe destinations and welcoming cultures, the South Pacific is well on its way to becoming the world’s next great charter hot spot and ultimate getaway for superyacht owners.

How to get there? Superyacht New Zealand has produced a summary of the entry rules for each South Pacific country and a fact sheet for superyachts visiting New Zealand, which can be found at superyachtnewzealand.co.nz

New Zealand’s sea and air borders are opening.   

In a government announcement on 11 May, the next step in New Zealand’s border reopening has been set, with sea and air borders effectively open for visitors and vessels from 1 August.

The move has been met with delight by the superyacht industry as the final step in New Zealand’s reopening, inviting visitors to return to the gateway to some of the most adventurous cruising in the world, and the renowned refit hub of the South Pacific.

Superyachts, their owners and crew, can now enter easily by land and sea, enjoying simple access to New Zealand’s safe shores, high-quality refit services and world-renowned scenery.
Foreign flagged yachts visiting New Zealand benefit from a superyacht-friendly framework that includes newly completed refit facilities, a 24 month Temporary Import Entry (TIE), and refit services and supplies which are exempt from New Zealand’s 15 per cent goods and services tax (GST).

New Zealand has spent the past two years expanding superyacht offerings across the country’s marine destinations, with additional inner city berthage in Auckland cementing its position as a leading city, globally, where superyachts can be moored in the heart of the CBD. In addition, the rapid expansion of New Zealand’s superyacht refit facilities have included a multi-year, large scale development of specialised superyacht refit facilities, including a new 820 tonne travel lift in the central city, adding to exisiting central Auckland haul out and slipway facilities which include 1500 tonne, and 600 tonne slipways and a 181 metre dry dock.

Central Auckland boasts 75 superyacht berths in close proximity to FBO airports and steps from award-winning hospitality precincts, with 40 berths for yachts between 25 and 40 metres LOA, and 30 berths capable of accommodating yachts between 40 metres and 100. For the largest yachts in the international fleet - those over 100 metres - Auckland has five berths designed to cater to their needs.

In the north of the country, the expansion of the Bay of Islands Marina with casual berthage available to visiting cruising yachts and a new 120 metre superyacht berth, is the first in a string of new facilities dotted down the country. Next along New Zealand’s coast is an expanded superyacht refit facility in Whangarei and the newly-enlarged Vessel Works haul out yard in Tauranga.

The reopening of New Zealand completes the traditional South Pacific loop for yachts, with most
superyachts favouring a journey which takes them through the islands of the Pacific, including beauty spots like Tahiti, Fiji, and then on to the peak of the South Pacific, New Zealand. There, they refit, bunker, provision, explore, charter, and often create a base over several seasons, before heading back into the Pacific and onward on their journeys.

The ultimate superyacht destination
The world’s most-southerly superyacht regatta, the NZ Millennium Cup will return in 2023. Taking place among the 144 islets of the Bay of Islands, it’s a four day celebration of camaraderie and fierce competition, set to a backdrop of daily dolphin vanguards and relaxed hospitality in one of the world’s great natural playgrounds.
Safe and secure berths designed specifically for superyachts can be found around New Zealand, with sub-tropical bays and islets to explore in the north of the country’s North Island, right down to mountains, fiords, and ancient fiords in the South Island.
To enable visitors to fully experience New Zealand, with its adventure around every headland, the 24 month TIE was created to enable foreign flagged yachts to clear into the country and cruise for two years, as well as charter for up to 65 per cent of their time in New Zealand, without paying duties and GST for 24 months after entry.

Two years perfecting the heart of Pacific superyachting
Through 2020 and 2021, the New Zealand superyacht industry turned inward to come back with a refined offering.
Auckland’s expanded superyacht refit facilities in the heart of the central city offer yachts a refit experience which is unrivalled across the region for proximity to the central city, size of travel lifts and haul out abilities, range of skilled on-site marine trades, sustainable water treatment plant, expansive hardstand, in-water workspaces, and on-site worksheds.

Additional refit facilities to the country’s north and south provide extra capacity to accommodate visiting yachts, in this nation designed around its extensive coastlines and seafaring history.

New Zealand’s packed summers of superyacht racing are set to continue with the release of the 2022 NZ Millennium Cup notice of race

Four superyachts have already declared their interest in racing in the world’s longest-standing southern hemisphere superyacht regatta, as the 2022 New Zealand Millennium Cup Notice of Race was released today.

The Notice of Race’s release comes at the tail end of an exceptional season of racing in New Zealand, with more to come in 2022. March’s 2021 edition of the New Zealand Millennium Cup was the icing on the cake of a yachting extravaganza which saw America’s Cup sailing vie with superyacht events for the attention of global yacht enthusiasts.

The coming year will once again draw the marine world’s eyes to New Zealand as superyachts take to the country’s waters in various events including the NZ Millennium Cup, a world-first superyacht fishing competition, and a series of regattas held by Auckland’s Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.

“I now have the absolute best opinion of New Zealand. This event was thoroughly enjoyable, low key, great company and I will be remembering this for a long time to come”, said the owner of 45m S/Y Catalina.

Excitement is building for the series with one previous Cup entrant telling organisers he plans to purchase a larger yacht to enter the 2022 regatta.

The notice of race and entry form are online now and Millennium Cup sponsors have been quick to confirm their backing of the regatta. The Cup enjoys the support of high-calibre supporters from across the both marine and wider sectors, with long term sponsors including returning platinum sponsors Orams Marine, alongside last year’s Royal Huisman, with newer supporters like award winner EuroCity; recently named Volkswagen’s Customer Experience Excellence New Zealand Dealer of the Year.

The regatta was first held alongside the 2000 America’s Cup and is the longest running superyacht regatta in the South Pacific, garnering a reputation for its camaraderie and fierce competition. The race will run in 2022 from 14th to 17th February.

The final day of the NZ Millennium Cup was noticeably lacking in breeze, though entrants didn’t let that dampen spirits.

While the race committee worked to plan a race around the conditions, the fleet headed to Motuarohia Island to make the most of the beautiful weather; and the opportunity to swim with dolphins.

Unfortunately at 3pm the announcement was made to cancel racing for the day.

“Due to the unstable nature of current weather conditions, and the time which it would take to get underway before the cut off point, we will now display AP over A; no more racing today,” was the declaration from principal race officer, Harold Bennett.

The cancellation of today’s racing left plenty of time for competing yachts to enjoy some of the best of the Bay of Islands. The local dolphin pod has become a much-loved feature of the regatta and crew were thrilled to be joined by them as they cooled off in the turquoise Bay of Islands waters.

The race day turned into a fun day as crew dived into the waters of Motuarohia with curious dolphins watching on as they swung from halyards and dived from bow sprits.

Returning to the race’s HQ in Russell, Aschanti IV cruised through the other yachts already at anchor before Catalina shot off a cannon and whipping across the Bay towards Waitangi. With sails up and sailing strongly, spectators on the shore of Russell, Paihia and Waitangi were treated to the sight of the 1956 Burmester-built yacht in full flight.

Prizegiving was held at the Duke of Marlborough Hotel where Miss Silver was crowned the 2021 winner. The 36.2 metre Alloy Yacht won three of three races which were handicapped by the ORCsy using the PCS system; a first in superyacht regattas.

“The spirit of this regatta is like nothing I’ve ever seen before,” said Sean Whitney, captain of Catalina as the formalities came to an end and celebrations got underway.

The regatta, which has run from 28-31 March, is one of the must-do regattas on the world superyacht circuit and has garnered a reputation as a fun, hospitable, but fiercely competitive regatta. The Cup marks the final stanza in an exhilarating season of racing in New Zealand.

The regatta was first held alongside the 2000 America’s Cup and is now in its 15th year. It’s the longest running superyacht regatta in the South Pacific and has built a reputation for its camaraderie and fierce competition.

Planning is already underway for next year’s regatta, returning to Russell and the Bay of Islands from 14-17 February, 2022.