Please select your home edition
Edition
North Sails Loft 57 Podcast

Yachting NZ: Sailors back Cyclone Gabrielle support effort

by Yachting New Zealand 22 Feb 2023 19:43 PST 23 February 2023
The upper half of the North Island of NZ has been devastated by Cyclone Gabrielle © Yachting NZ

The Auckland marine community has joined efforts to support victims of Cyclone Gabrielle, collecting truckloads of essentials in only a few days that will be distributed in Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne.

Eleven people have died and an estimated 1100 are still unaccounted for after the cyclone – one of the most devastating in New Zealand’s history - battered the upper and eastern North Island last week.

Thousands have been displaced and the national state of emergency has been extended into next week, with the Government on Monday announcing a $50 million interim relief package for affected regions and $250 million to rebuild roads.

The clean-up continues for communities in Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne, with some still without power and communications due to flooding more than a week since the storm hit.

Images of the devastation and a message from a sailing mate in Napier prompted Aucklanders Ian Darby and Nick Crabtree to coordinate support efforts in the local marine community.

“It was only once we finally managed to get in touch with Phil Jameson, a guy we know well from sailing who is also an ambulance officer down there, that we released just how big the need is,” Darby said.

“They desperately need things like men’s and women’s clothing, hoodies, socks, towels, toiletries, shoes, gumboots, rain jackets and toys. We decided the fastest way to help was to create a Facebook group and set up a few collection points around the city where people could drop off these items.”

The group’s membership has since ballooned to over 100 – and donations have been streaming in.

“We’ve been doing drop-offs at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and the plan is to take a truck down to Napier on Thursday, where Phil will collect it and assist with the distribution to the civil defence teams in Hawke’s Bay,” Darby said.

“The response has been amazing. Initially, it was mainly a group from the Auckland marine community but many non-sailors and people from outside the city got in touch. Everyone is just desperate to help where they can.”

The RNZYS received several more loads of donations on Wednesday morning, including a load from Yachting New Zealand staff and sailors.

The video above can be viewed in 4K - change the Youtube settings to adjust

Kiwis and businesses have already donated millions to relief efforts through the New Zealand Red Cross and other initiatives.

Speaking after a cash donation to the Red Cross NZ Disaster Fund on behalf of Yachting New Zealand, chief executive David Abercrombie said his thoughts were with those affected by the cyclone.

“The devastation inflicted has been heart-breaking to see and, while we have been fortunate that our clubs have suffered relatively minor damage to their buildings and equipment, many members of our sailing and boating family have had their lives turned upside down.”

Abercrombie said Yachting NZ will continue to encourage donations to the Red Cross, including at this weekend’s Oceanbridge NZL Sailing Regatta at Torbay Sailing Club.

“It’s been encouraging to see our communities again come together to support each other but the effects of this event will be felt for a long time.”

To donate to the Red Cross NZ Disaster Fund redcross.org.nz/support-us/our-current-appeals/new-zealand-disaster-fund

For more information on how to contribute essential items: click here

Related Articles

Taipa Sailing Club hard hit by Cyclone
The Taipa Sailing Club is reeling after being hard hit by Cyclone Tam - launches Givealittle page When Cyclone Tam tore the roof off the Taipa Sailing Club just over a week ago, the immediate future of the small Northland yacht club suddenly looked uncertain.A Givealittle page has raised more than $6000 in the first five days. Posted on 28 Apr
NZL Sailing Team: Tom Saunders wins silver
Tom Saunders celebrated his return to the world stage with NZ's second post-Olympics medla Tom Saunders celebrated his return to the world stage with New Zealand's second medal of the short international sailing season, claiming silver in his first major regatta since the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Posted on 27 Apr
NZL Sailing Team: Bronze for Ten Have
Veerle Ten Have starts new Olympic campaign with bronze at Princess Sofia Trophy The 24-year-old Tauranga sailor claimed bronze in the women's iQFOiL at the 2025 Princess Sofia Trophy regatta in Palma, Mallorca on Saturday following a strong display of speed and consistency in her first major regatta since finishing 10th in Marseille. Posted on 6 Apr
Oceanbridge Sail Auckland 2025 Day 3
A new top 49er crew give masterclass on Day 3 of Oceanbridge Sail Auckland Plenty of hard work and a touch of Olympic inspiration has propelled one of New Zealand's most promising double-handed crews to success at the country's premier domestic sailing event. Posted on 2 Mar
Oceanbridge Sail Auckland 2025 Day 2
Set for a thrilling conclusion at Torbay Sailing Club The 2025 Oceanbridge Sail Auckland is set for a thrilling conclusion, with little separating the leaders in most fleets as they battle it out at Torbay Sailing Club. Posted on 1 Mar
YNZ CEO to step down after 14years at the helm
Yachting New Zealand chief executive David Abercrombie has announced his retirement Yachting New Zealand chief executive David Abercrombie has announced his retirement, bringing down the curtain on more than 14 years at the organisation's helm. Posted on 26 Feb
Olympic Silver medalists win Sailor the Year
Olympic Silver medalists win Sir Bernard Ferguson Trophy at Sailor of the Year Isaac McHardie and William McKenzie won the top honour at the 2024 Barfoot & Thompson Yachting Excellence Awards on Friday, claiming the Sailor of the Year title as Olympic sailors dominated the major awards. Posted on 22 Nov 2024
Paris 2024: New Zealand wins second sailing medal
Start line error by Brits is Kiwi's gain in Mixed Multihull in another tense light air race day Micah Wilkinson and Erica Dawson won New Zealand's second sailing medal of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and broke a 36-year drought when they won bronze in the mixed multihull event. Posted on 9 Aug 2024
Paris 2024: Nervy wait for Nacra 17 crew
The fickle Marseille wind pushed the mixed multihull decider into a reserve day New Zealand faces another nervy wait for a shot at a second Olympic sailing medal, as the fickle Marseille wind pushed the mixed multihull decider into a reserve day and played a part in ending the campaign of three other Kiwi competitors. Posted on 8 Aug 2024
Kiwis ready for 'the race of their lives"
Micah Wilkinson and Erica Dawson are ready for the biggest race of their lives The mixed multihull crew will effectively battle it out with Argentina and Great Britain for a silver or bronze medal in the Olympic sailing competition in Marseille tomorrow, following the most nerve-wracking day of their campaign. Posted on 7 Aug 2024
Lloyd Stevenson - AC INEOS 1456x180px BOTTOMPalm Beach Motor YachtsMaritimo 2023 S600 FOOTER