“It’s a regatta the way regattas should be.”
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The New Zealand Millennium Cup’s Notice of Race has been released this week.

As the regatta returns to Auckland for the second year in a row, early entries have been quick to confirm their participation prior to the Notice of Race release, with six entries already signed up and more to come after an exceptional 2024 edition.

“We really enjoyed our time at the New Zealand Millennium Cup regatta. From the first contact right through to racing, the people are genuine and it was the most down to earth, real, fun and welcoming experience; it’s a regatta the way regattas should be,” says Burger van der Walt, captain of Perseus^3, 2024 NZ Millennium Cup winner.

“The course is well laid out for all sized vessels, captains were consulted in race planning and our deep draft was accommodated. It’s very intimate, very welcoming, and very well organised. If you want to experience racing down under, you need to race this regatta."

The regatta will be raced on Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour from 1-4 February.

“We’re thrilled to officially release the Notice of Race,” says organiser Stacey Cook.

“We had a number of yachts who were eager to enter, and we have some incredible yachts lining up for 2025, including Sea Eagle, Sassafras, Sharlou, Janice of Wyoming, Kawil and Legend.”

Sponsors have been quick to lend their support with Platinum Sponsor Orams Marine returning to the regatta. Also returning is Gold Sponsor Royal Huisman, who are pleased to announce they will be making the journey from the Netherlands and joining the regatta onsite when it kicks off in February next year, with award-winning innovator WASSP also joining as a gold sponsor.

“Being part of the NZ Millennium Cup is a great opportunity for our WASSP Ocean Solutions team to engage closely with other marine industry leaders and our world-class customers in a typically-relaxed Kiwi environment; that is, until the racing starts," says Gareth Hodson, managing director of ENL Group.

Fellow Gold Sponsors Southern Spars/North Sails, and Smuggler Marine are also returning to the regatta, alongside a host of supporting companies who will join the line up.

“Racing the regatta in the heart of our harbour city is an experience we love to give to our guests,” says Cook.

“These are the waters which have hosted America’s Cup showdowns, Volvo Ocean Race starts and honed generations of New Zealand sailors, so we know they’re a challenging, and very picturesque, place to race.”

The regatta’s headquarters form a private enclave in the heart of central Auckland, giving owners, crew and the race teams a spot to gather and discuss the day’s racing as soon as they step off.

New Zealand’s biggest city, Auckland sits on an isthmus between two large harbours with the natural playground long-revered by sailors. With award-winning superyacht marinas and refit yards, and thriving 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.

Electronic Navigation Ltd (ENL), parent company of WASSP and Furuno New Zealand, is extremely proud of its 24-year history with this prestigious regatta.

“Being part of the NZ Millennium Cup is a great opportunity for our WASSP Ocean Solutions team to engage closely with other marine industry leaders and our world-class customers in a typically-relaxed Kiwi environment; that is, until the racing starts," says Gareth Hodson, managing director of ENL Group. 
Showcasing WASSP, New Zealand Marine Technology.

The WASSP W3 system lets you map the seafloor ahead of your main vessel, ensuring safe navigation in uncharted waters. Unlike other systems, WASSP W3 is easy to install on a smaller tender boat and sends real-time 3D maps wirelessly to your main vessel's bridge up to 2 km away. This allows you to see hidden dangers and find the perfect spots for anchoring, fishing, or diving. Backed by WASSP Ltd.’s expertise in high-resolution multibeam sonar technology and decades of experience in marine electronics, the W3 offers unmatched reliability and precision, enhancing the safety and productivity of your maritime ventures. Whether you're navigating or surveying, the W3 delivers advanced mapping solutions trusted by marine professionals worldwide.

The South Pacific’s superyacht regatta will take place from 1-4 February, with entries open in response to demand.
The 2025 dates for the New Zealand Millennium Cup regatta have been set for 1-4 February.

“We’re thrilled to announce next year’s dates,” says organiser Stacey Cook. “We had a number of yachts who were eager to enter and with entry now open, we’ve been pleased to see quick sign ups for the regatta in February.”

The announcement has been timed to coincide with the NZ Marine comes to Tahiti event this week in French Polynesia. Kicking off 11 July 2024, French Polynesian time, the event will see NZ Millennium Cup organisers on the ground in Marina Taina assisting yachts with itinerary planning, information on logistics, and why the regatta makes such a good addition to a New Zealand trip.

The 2025 New Zealand Millennium Cup will be raced for the second year in a row on Auckland’s waters.

“Racing the regatta in the heart of our harbour city is an experience we love to give to our guests,” says Cook.

“These are the waters which have hosted America’s Cup showdowns, Volvo Ocean Race starts and honed generations of New Zealand sailors, so we know they’re a challenging, and very picturesque, place to race.”

The regatta’s headquarters form a private enclave in the heart of central Auckland, giving owners, crew and the race teams a spot to to gather and discuss the day’s racing as soon as they step off.
New Zealand’s biggest city, Auckland sits on an isthmus between two large harbours with the natural playground long-revered by sailors. With award-winning superyacht marinas and refit yards, and thriving 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 is open now and entry forms are available here.

Our friends at Mount Gay have continued the annual tradition of a bespoke regatta cocktail. Introducing the 2024 NZ Millennium Cup Bermuda triangle. 

• Mount Gay Eclipse 
• Hand-pressed pineapple juice 
• Orange bitters 
• East Imperial Ginger Beer 

Method 
Build all ingredients in a short glass and stir. 
Top with East Imperial Ginger Beer and enjoy! 

The clock is on! The New Zealand Millennium Cup gets underway this week, marking the start of Auckland’s inaugural ocean festival.​

The southern hemisphere’s longest-running superyacht regatta gets underway this week in Auckland.

The final countdown is on to the New Zealand Millennium Cup, which will see striking superyachts gather to race in Auckland from this Friday. This year’s Cup is a standout edition of the event, marking the start of Moana Auckland; New Zealand’s ocean festival.

With the festival creating a month-long celebration of Aucklanders’ connection with the ocean, the harbour city makes the perfect backdrop for the NZ Millennium Cup to return to, after years of racing around New Zealand and the world.

For the first time in a decade, the New Zealand Millennium Cup will be raced on Auckland’s waters. The fleet will be taking on conditions which have been enjoyed by the world’s leading yachtsmen in America’s Cup and Round the World races, and experiencing the beauty of a harbour which turned a nation into sailors.
Returning to the regatta’s roots will also see the competing fleet moored in the central city, with the regatta’s social events at the stern.

“It’s a return to the intimate, fun racing we’ve always been so proud of and we can’t wait to share our beautiful city with the racing fleet,” says organiser Stacey Cook.

Two racing divisions have been devised to add to the intensity of competition, with the NZ Millennium Cup fleet including yachts like 60 metre Perseus^3, and a multihull division which will feature a showdown between sister yachts Cat+Ion and Kotuku.

“Perseus^3 was built to race specification and we’ve enjoyed building her reputation on the course across the world’s great superyacht regattas. With a race crew which has become known for its spirit and camaraderie, we’re looking forward to bringing Perseus^3 to New Zealand’s waters and letting her show her ability during the New Zealand Millennium Cup,” says Burger van der Walt, captain of Perseus^3.

She’ll join other early entries to the race including Royal Huisman’s Sassafras, the crew of which is looking forward to competing after the regatta’s two year hiatus.

“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,” says Matt Lovett, captain of S/Y Sassafras.

The New Zealand Millennium Cup is pleased to announce a number of new entries set to join the 2024 race, following last month’s notice of race release.

With the 2024 New Zealand Millennium Cup set to form part of a celebration of New Zealand’s summer on the water, entries are lining up to join the festivities.

Brand new to the racing is 60 metre Perini Navi, Perseus^3, with race watchers excited to see her unique features - including the tallest carbon fibre mast built and extensive sail area - put to use on the Auckland race course.

“Perseus^3 was built to race specification and we’ve enjoyed building her reputation on the course across the world’s great superyacht regattas. With a race crew which has become known for its spirit and camaraderie, we’re looking forward to bringing Perseus^3 to New Zealand’s waters and letting her show her ability during the New Zealand Millennium Cup,” says Burger van der Walt, captain of Perseus^3.

She’ll join other early entries to the race including Royal Huisman’s Sassafras, the crew of which is looking forward to competing after the regatta’s two year hiatus.

“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,” says Matt Lovett, captain of S/Y Sassafras.

Joining the race for the first time will be a fleet of multihulls, adding to the spectacle on the water. With a resurgence of cruising activity in the South Pacific, and growing numbers of the superyacht fleet forecast to arrive in the next seasons, this multihull class is set to offer a new aspect to the regatta’s racing with strong interest from Kiwi owners.

The regatta will take place from 23 to 26 February 2024, and will be raced on Auckland’s waters for the first time since 2013. It will form part of 2024’s inaugural Moana Auckland Festival; a celebration of the integral role of the sea in Auckland’s cultural and economic life.

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 officer filled by Harold Bennett.

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."