Behind the Scenes

With so many boats, how do we choose?

In January, the Auckland Wooden Boat Festival Selection Committee will meet to start the selection process for the limited number of spaces available on-land and on-shore. This committee includes experienced members of the wooden boat community: Nathan Herbert, David Glen, Larry Paul, Russell Brooke, Ron Copeland, and event directors Michelle Khan-Stevenson and Tony Stevenson. 

The committee takes into account the history of the vessel, how keen the owners are to share their stories and welcome people onboard, and curates the selection to ensure as wide a variety are on display as possible.  Its a major reason behind why the 2024 festival received a 99% satisfaction rating from attendees and this glowing review from Mark Chew and Southern Wooden Boat Sailing! All boat owners will be contacted towards the middle of January.

Expressions of Interest are open now

Wooden boat world

The story of Jellicoe Harbour

Jellicoe Harbour is the location of our Wooden Boat Festival marina and we just love it. Heres some info about how it came to be called Jellicoe Harbour. Read on

Commandeered for the war effort!

We often talk about how boats have stories. Well heres a story: some of our most loved classics were commandeered to service in World War II. Learn more

Visiting Auckland

A boat lovers guide to Auckland

Your travel is booked and its time to start planning the finer details of your trip to Auckland for the 2026 Auckland Wooden Boat Festival. It will be easy to fill your time in this beautiful South Pacific city where the sea is always there. Discover the city of sails - learn more

Ng Huhua: Abundance

The New Zealand Maritime Museums newest exhibition Ng Huhua: Abundance is now open! Dive into a deep blue world teeming with life in an immersive exhibition celebrating the lifeforce of Te Moana-nui-a-Toi, the outer Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, just beyond Aucklands shores. Meet the surprising and spectacular creatures that call this place home, from whales to turtles and explore how this ecosystem now faces new threats.