History

History

The BMW Auckland Regatta was founded in 2008 by two of New Zealand’s premier yacht clubs: the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, and Bucklands Beach Yacht Club.

The two clubs came together with a common goal: to promote sailing in Auckland through a regatta that provided a prolonged test of all-round sailing ability, attracting elite boats, and giving amateur skippers and crew a reason to excel and perfect their sailing skills.

With that in mind, they formed the Auckland Regatta Trust, and teamed up with international motoring giant BMW in order to create a world-class event that would cement New Zealand’s part in amateur racing, on an international scale.

In its first year the event attracted an impressive fleet, and the second regatta saw some serious competition. It will continue to grow and develop under the leadership of the Trust and with the benefit of the experience and innovation of its two parent clubs, and with the support of BMW and key partners Auckland City Council, KPMG and Manukau City Council.