‘Who’s who’ of maritime heritage unite for 2026 extravaganza
Majestic A-class yachts with B-Class and K-Class beauties. Classic launches and old-school work boats, and a treasured restored scow. An Australian ‘Couta’ boat, a converted fishing trawler, cruising boats with stories to tell, and passage yachts that have been places that dreams are made of. Iconic racing legends from decades past, and just about every rig configuration you can imagine.
Over 100 of New Zealand’s best examples of maritime history will be on display at the upcoming Auckland Wooden Boat Festival. And that’s just on the water.
The first Auckland Wooden Boat Festival took place in 2024 and attracted more than 10,000 visitors. Photo / Live Sail Die.
The visual treats will continue off the water: Activities, demonstrations and displays include Pacific navigation, live boat building demonstrations, antique engines, author signings, sail making, knot tying, displays of historic tools, artefacts, as well as 70 model boats, and a collection of working steam engines – even a wheelhouse from the Toroa steam ferry, which once carried passengers around Auckland and is currently under restoration. You’ll be able to climb onboard the William C Daldy, explore the Percy Vos Boat Yard, get immersed in talks at the New Zealand Maritime Museum Hui Te Ananui a Tangaroa, and even try your hand at sailing or go for a boat ride.
The 1904 A-class Ariki under sail. Ariki will be on display at the Auckland Wooden Boat Festival: Photo / Winkelmann, Henry, 1860-1931; J H Bethune and Company Ltd
Opening on Friday evening 13 March, the Auckland Wooden Boat Festival is a free Auckland Council Event, and a flagship of Moana Auckland, New Zealand’s Ocean Festival and delivered with support by over thirty clubs and groups from the maritime world.
Following a successful inaugural festival in 2024 that attracted around 10,000 visitors, the Auckland Wooden Boat Festival will once again transform Auckland’s inner city waterfront into a lively festival hub and a sea of wooden boats.
It takes place across four iconic waterfront venues: Viaduct Events Centre, Jellicoe Harbour, New Zealand Maritime Museum and the historic Percy Vos Boat Shed.
This year’s theme celebrates the story of timber – kauri in particular – and how its strength and resilience has lent itself to the story of New Zealand’s classic boat fleet, believed to be the largest fleet of original boats still sailing in the world.
Michelle Khan-Stevenson onboard Ngātaki in Whangārei Harbour earlier this year
“The Auckland Wooden Boat Festival is a living showcase of all things maritime that reflects the city’s story,” says co-director Michelle Khan-Stevenson. “If you are coming, you will get to enjoy a mix of delightful experiences as hundreds of people from the boating community come together to make this event happen.”
This year the festival has expanded to include iconic the Percy Vos Boat Yard, fully restored and open to the public. Inside will be Māori and Pacific waka building as a living tradition, including the final stages of a waka hourua in creation by master carvers and artists.
Inside the shed, the New Zealand Traditional Boatbuilding School will build a kauri clinker Frostbite dinghy live and in real time, offering a rare chance to see traditional techniques up close.
In partnership with the New Zealand Maritime Museum, the festival will also feature a programme of short films, talks and seminars, offering insight into the stories, skills and innovation behind wooden boats.
Auckland Wooden Boat Festival 2026
4pm-8pm Friday, 13 March and 10am-5pm Saturday, 14 and Sunday, 15 March 2026
Viaduct Events Centre, Jellicoe Harbour, New Zealand Maritime Museum & Percy Vos Boat Yard
Free entry