We were fortunate enough to have sailing commentator Matt Sheahan onboard Steinlager 2 whilst we were on delivery to Sullivans Bay with Kongs College. He captured the history of the vessel, announcement of Auckland as a stopover in the next Ocean Race, announcement of the new Aotearoa Ocean Racing team and we chatted about what the New Zealand Sailing Trust does.

The 2025 New Zealand Millennium Cup opened with a day of thrilling competition, as some of the world’s most elegant superyachts took to the waters of Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf. With a stunning backdrop of volcanic islands and shifting breezes, Day 1 offered a mix of strategic long-course racing and intense short-course bursts, testing both raw speed and tactical prowess. The results have already set the stage for a closely fought regatta, where every manoeuvre and gust of wind could determine the ultimate victor.

The NZ Sailing Trust has once again proven its impact on outdoor recreation and youth development by winning the Te Tohu Whakaaweawe Kaupapa - Outstanding Event/Programme Award.

Amidst this bunch was Sir Peter Blake’s 1989 Whitbread-winning yacht, Steinlager 2, now owned by the New Zealand Sailing Trust. At 25m in length, it is likely the most comfortable boat in the fleet for an upwind race onboard. Steinlager 2 finished at 04:47.

Considered by many as New Zealand yachting royalty, Steinlager 2 will be sailing into the Bay of Islands and will be berthed at the Bay of Islands Marina Superyacht Jetty (adjacent to the Opua Wharf) from 18th August – 24th September.An Open Day on Saturday 14th September 1pm – 4pm is scheduled, and everyone is welcome to come aboard and see the full workings of this magnificent yacht. From Blake’s bunk to the Nav Station to the massive Barient primary winches known as the ‘coffee grinders’ that immediately demonstrate the intense physical work the crew endured in both the freezing Southern Ocean and the stifling topics.

Weekend plans sorted! Celebrate the Lunar New Year in style aboard the legendary racing yacht Lion New Zealand.

A yacht sailed by Sir Peter Blake is making a brief stop in Tauranga today, after setting sail from Auckland yesterday with a crew of 25 people, plus skippers.

I am so grateful to the Oceans of Hope Trust for making these voyages possible, to the crew of Steinlager 2 and the NZ Sailing Trust, who are simply excellent, and to all my fellow sailors. To Ingrid who is the force behind coordinating the NZ journey: thank you. This was a true game-changer for me. If you are given the opportunity to join the Oceans of Hope Challenge: don’t hesitate. You will never regret it.             

Affectionately known as ‘Big Red’, Steinlager II is a yacht that fired the imagination of all New Zealanders as Peter Blake won the Fastnet race in 1989 and set off to race in the 1989 Round the World Whitbread. Winning every leg over the line and on handicap, her record was unprecedented – and still stands. She was voted “Yacht of the Year” in 1990 by Yachting Magazine and went on to claim numerous wins in races around the globe. Having then experienced life as a private charter until 2012, she returned to home shores when a group of determined New Zealanders saw a huge new potential for her.

‘The most inspiring experience I have been part of’ …….is my instant reply when asked about my Oceans of Hope Challenge, says Linda Kent.

Auckland Anniversary Day regatta: Summer sailing for new Kiwis

Running aground can be disastrous for any sailing journey and it very nearly happened, in a metaphorical sense at least, for the NZ Sailing Trust this year.

The chance to go on a multi-day adventure on Steinlager 2 or Lion New Zealand is rarely open to the general public but that's what the NZ Sailing Trust are offering right now.

On behalf of the NZ Sailing Trust, we are reaching out to you as a valued supporter.

As we know, COVID19 has created for all New Zealanders a very different scenario both personally and in business. We realise this is a difficult time for many and at the NZ Sailing Trust we are certainly experiencing the brunt of these changes.

NZ Sailing Trust is a Not for Profit Charitable Trust in New Zealand providing adventurous youth development sailing journeys for youth between the ages of 13 and 22 from high schools and like-minded community groups throughout New Zealand. When Maiden arrived in Auckland as part of her World Tour, NZST escorted Maiden in along with local schoolchildren, as well as taking part in the departure ceremony at the end of the stopover. Join us as we take a look back at the fantastic memories, and find out what's in store for the Trust's future.

Nearly two years after her arrival at Yachting Developments in May 2017, Lion New Zealand is back in the water following a million-dollar refit at the yard.

Nearly two years after her arrival at Yachting Developments in May 2017, Lion New Zealand is safely back in the water after completing a major million-dollar refit at the yard.

In 2018/19, 48 Mount Albert Grammar school Year 11 Students got the opportunity to follow in the wake of sailing legend Sir Peter Blake on his victorious round-the-world boat Steinlager 2 during a multi-day sailing trip.
The trips saw our students sailing from Auckland Viaduct to Kawau Island, Great Barrier Island, Motutapu, Waiheke and the Coromandel. The vessel ran with the same system in place as the Whitbread Around the World Race, with students working in different roles below deck, above deck and as part of the sailing crew.
Over the four days students learned about sailing chat, rules of the water, basic navigation, weather, parts of the yacht, knots, marine birds, human impact on marine life and goal setting. Students really took on the wise words from Sir Peter: “Giving it a try is much better than sitting back and worrying what people might think if we fail”.

Steninlager 2 at the start of the 2014 PIC Coastal Classic.

One of New Zealand’s iconic yachts, Steinlager 2, which recently returned home after several decades abroad, is set to race in the Royal Akarana Yacht Club hosted Auckland to Noumea race, Sail Noumea.