The New Zealand Millennium Cup is pleased to announce a host of new sponsors have joined the regatta. 

In recent weeks four new silver sponsors have come aboard; Integrated Marine Group, Robinson Interiors, Breed Media and North Sails/Southern Spars. Integrated Marine Group’s Managing Director, Mark Wightman, says the company has a long-standing relationship with the event. “It was a very easy decision. 

The Integrated Marine Group Refit Team craftspeople have worked wonders to rejuvenate some of the entries and the Yacht Support team expertly assisting their captains and crew,” says Mr Wightman. “Integrated Marine Group continues a long tradition as Millennium Cup sponsors, to help enable yachts to enjoy the kiwi experience that this truly world class sailing location offers.” 

Southern Spars’ Ben Gladwell says sponsoring the event supports the local marine industry and increases its visibility to the rest of the world. “Southern Spars and North Sails are very pleased to be involved with the NZ Millennium Cup. It is a brilliant opportunity to prove why New Zealand’s marine industry and our two companies have the reputation of being the best in the world,” says Mr Gladwell. “It is also a wonderful chance for us to showcase exactly what is so special about New Zealand as a destination for these yachts, which is good for the health of the New Zealand marine industry as a whole. We are very proud to be able to contribute something to this event which helps bring so many superyachts to our shores.” 

NZ Marine Executive Director Peter Busfield has been thrilled to see both international and domestic brands come onboard in support of the event. “We’re a small, fun regatta and the yachts we attract tend to be adventurous types with a real competitive bent. It’s been fantastic to see so many big brand names get behind the race and lend their support,” says Busfield. “Plus, with the Bay of Islands scenery - and the onshore events - we get good feedback from on sponsors on how much they enjoy it!” 

Platinum sponsor of the event is Orams Marine, while gold sponsors are Yachting Developments, Doyle Sails New Zealand, Smuggler Marine and Far North Holdings/Port Opua. Silver sponsors include Dubois, OnFire Design, Integrated Marine Group, Breed Media, Robinson Interiors and Southern Spars/North Sails. 

Far North Holdings’ Chairman Ross Blackman says he is proud to be sponsoring the event once again, and is excited to showcase the Bay of Islands as an outstanding sailing destination. “Far North Holdings is heavily engaged in delivering maritime and airport facilities and services in the Bay of Islands to the wider community and visitors. We are committed to maintaining the Bay of Islands’ reputation as New Zealand’s premier recreational maritime environment and our status as New Zealand’s largest port for international yacht clearances,” says Mr Blackman. “We have some exciting maritime developments currently under construction and would love the opportunity to share these with those participating in the regatta. Good luck to you all.” 

The NZ Millennium Cup runs from the 27-29 January 2016, and is raced in one of the world’s great natural playgrounds; the Bay of Islands. Organised by the NZ Marine Export Group and a dedicated committee of some of New Zealand's most pre-eminent superyacht industry figures, the NZ Millennium Cup is a celebration of good racing, great cruising grounds and exceptional hospitality. Drawing attention to New Zealand’s beautiful cruising grounds, skilled workforce and innovative industry, we’re looking forward to delivering an event which showcases the best of our superyacht sector in a relaxed, recognisably-Kiwi style.

Yachting Developments’ Ian Cook weighs in on the yachts which will go head-to-head in NZ Millennium Cup – Bay of Islands New Zealand January 27th 2016. 

With a New Zealand summer rapidly heating up, the South Pacific nation’s marinas are filling with yachts ready for a season of cruising - and of racing as the NZ Millennium Cup kicks off in January. 

Ian Cook, of Cup gold sponsor, Yachting Developments, is looking forward to seeing fast, fun racing on the waters of his home cruising ground. The New Zealand yard has been responsible for the build or refit of many entries past and present, giving Cook insight into which yachts have the goods to perform when the regatta starts on 27 January. 

The Auckland yard built former entries, 37-metre Bliss, and 33.8-metre Silvertip, as well as conducting an extensive refit on local racing legend, Steinlager 2, which will again return to the race. 

“We’re expecting Silvertip to show her speed again this year. She’s an absolute thoroughbred and her crew know how to get the best out of her on this course.” 

The award-winning yacht, designed by fellow sponsor, Ed Dubois, is a favourite on the course and thrilled spectators of 2015’s regatta when she went head-to-head with fellow Yachting Developments build, Bliss. 

“Silvertip performed beautifully in 2015’s regatta, and we’re looking forward to seeing her go up against new entries Kealoha and Tawera. With the pace Silvertip is capable of displaying, the handicaps she was given gave her the chance to show her exceptional turns of speed as she came up from behind the fleet,” says Cook. 

“We’re really pleased to have Yachting Developments join us once again as sponsors,” says NZ Millennium Cup chairman Stuart Robinson. “They’ve been fantastic supporters of the regatta, and without Yachting Development’s-built yachts racing on the course, the NZ Millennium Cup wouldn’t be what it is.” 

New entries include Allegro and Steinlager 2 in the Pacific Division, with 33-metre Shamoun joining the Millennium Cup fleet. Sponsors have been quick to jump onboard too, with Orams Marine signing on as platinum sponsor, supported by gold sponsors Smuggler Marine, Doyle Sails New Zealand, Far North Holdings/Port Opua and Yachting Developments. 

The NZ Millennium Cup runs from the 27-29 January 2016, and is raced in one of the world’s great natural playgrounds; the Bay of Islands. Organised by the NZ Marine Export Group and a dedicated committee of some of New Zealand's most pre-eminent superyacht industry figures, the NZ Millennium Cup is a celebration of good racing, great cruising grounds and exceptional hospitality. 

Drawing attention to New Zealand’s beautiful cruising grounds, skilled workforce and innovative industry, we’re looking forward to delivering an event which showcases the best of our superyacht sector in a relaxed, recognisably-Kiwi style.

The regatta’s silver sponsors include OnFire Design, Breed Media, Dubois, Integrated Marine Group, Southern Spars/North Sails and Robinson Interiors, and the regatta is also supported by Holton Marine, Maxwell Marine, Kit Carlier Design, Whiting Power Systems, Harken New Zealand - Fosters, Events Clothing, Q-West, Tourism NZ, COAST, Hancocks and our media sponsors The Superyacht Owner and Ocean Media.