Auckland Wooden Boat Festival

16/03/2026

⛵Salty air, boat chat, and craftsmanship worth replaying.

15/03/2026

And that’s a wrap on the Auckland Wooden Boat Festival 2026!

Over three incredible days, the Auckland Waterfront was filled with beautifully restored wooden boats, working steam engines, live boatbuilding, music, community and visitors celebrating our maritime heritage.

✨ Some unforgettable moments:

• A captivating talk from Peter Faire on the multigenerational legacy of the K‑Class Katrina II
• More inspiring talks and seminars from our fantastic speakers, bringing the rich stories of the sea to life
• 200+ beautiful boats on and off water
• The Logan family collection of tools, model makers, boat books
•Engine demonstrations by General Marine Services and Nanni Engines
• Sail making and bag making with Calibre Sails and AP Covers’ Andy Pilcher
• Rides on traditional steam boat SS PUKE

A huge thank you to the hundreds of volunteers, boat owners, clubs, sponsors and everyone involved who make this festival possible.

And thank you to everyone who came along to explore the boats, meet the builders, and experience the stories within the timber.

Until next time ⚓

15/03/2026

Kids Zone… or is it? Adults couldn’t resist jumping into the Raingutter Regatta fun!

15/03/2026

⚓ Final day of the Auckland Wooden Boat Festival

Today is your last chance to experience one of New Zealand’s most unique waterfront event.
Wander among beautifully restored wooden boats, watch traditional boatbuilding in action, and hear the stories behind vessels built from New Zealand’s legendary kauri timber.

5 things you shouldn’t miss Today:

1️⃣ Mermaid Bait at the Viaduct Events Centre — a 12‑piece band bringing big fun from Whangārei!
2️⃣ See live boatbuilding at Percy Vos Boat Yard
3️⃣ Bring the kids to the Maritime Museum and Viaduct Event Centre Kids Zones
4️⃣ Free talks and seminars at New Zealand Maritime Museum
5️⃣Go sailing without getting wet with Pt Chevalier Yacht Club

🕙 Open today 10am–5pm
Come down to the waterfront and soak up the final day of the festival.

14/03/2026

What a day on the waterfront.

Day Two of the Auckland Wooden Boat Festival brought us together to celebrate the beauty, craft, and stories behind wooden boats.

⚓ Today we saw:

• A harbour full of classic wooden boats
• Traditional boatbuilding in action at Percy Vos Yard
• Kids designing their own “Float Your Boat” and "Mermaid puppet" creations
• The chance to climb aboard the William C. Daldy steam tug boat
• Have-a-go boat rides on the SS Puke
• Try‑sailing sessions with the Hobsonville Yacht Club

From handcrafted boatbuilding and sailing vessels to model boats and steam engines, every corner of the festival was buzzing with activity.

Missed today? There’s still time.

Tomorrow is your last chance to experience the festival.

🕙 Sunday: 10am–5pm
📍 Viaduct Events Centre
📍 Jellicoe Harbour
📍 New Zealand Maritime Museum
📍 Percy Vos Boat Yard

Bring the whānau and explore our maritime heritage up close

13/03/2026

⚓ Day Two of the Auckland Wooden Boat Festival

Today the waterfront is filled with wooden boats, working steam engines, live demonstrations and family activities.

Step aboard historic vessels, explore classic boats and see traditional boatbuilding skills brought to life.

✨ Don’t miss today

- Try sailing with the Hobsonville Yacht Club’s ‘Have a Go’ sailing activities
- Live boatbuilding at Percy Vos Boat Yard
- Seminars and films at the New Zealand Maritime Museum
- Steam engines and mechanical displays
- Rides on the Ted Ashby Sailing Boat and SS PUKE Steam Boat
- Kids Zone and family fun activities at Viaduct Events Centre and New Zealand Maritime Museum
- 200+ Wooden Boats inside Viaduct Events Centre and Jellicoe Harbour

And so much more to discover!

🕙 Open today (Saturday) 10am–5pm

Across the four Auckland Waterfront locations:

📍 Viaduct Events Centre
📍 Jellicoe Harbour
📍 New Zealand Maritime Museum
📍 Percy Vos Boat Yard

Bring the whānau and spend the day by the water.

13/03/2026

Day One: wrapped, unforgettable, and absolutely full of boats ⚓

What an incredible start to the Auckland Wooden Boat Festival! From wandering the pontoons and admiring rows of beautifully crafted wooden boats, to chatting with boating experts, tying knots like pros, and so much more.

A massive shoutout to all the clubs, volunteers, visitors, and boat owners who helped us launch the festival with such an amazing energy. 🌊🚤

And the best part? We’re just getting started.

Join us tomorrow for:

- 200+ wooden boats on and off the water
- Live boat‑building inside Percy Vos Boat Yard
- Hands‑on family activities inside Viaduct Events Centre and the New Zealand Maritime Museum
- On‑water experiences with Hobsonville Yacht Club’s RS dinghies + rides on the SS PUKE steam boat
- Seminars and films at the New Zealand Maritime Museum

📍 Viaduct Events Centre
📍 Jellicoe Harbour
📍 New Zealand Maritime Museum
📍 Percy Vos Heritage Boat Yard

🕙 Saturday: 10am–5pm
Come explore the docks, meet the makers, climb aboard, and soak up Auckland’s maritime magic. 🌤️⚓

13/03/2026

⚓ The Auckland Wooden Boat Festival has begun!

The waterfront comes alive as some of Aotearoa’s most beautiful wooden boats arrive in Auckland.
Explore the harbour, meet the people who build and restore these remarkable vessels, and experience the stories carried within the timber.

✨ What to expect this weekend:

- 200+ wooden boats
- Live boatbuilding demonstrations
- Steam engines and model boats
- Hands on activities
- Talks and seminars
- Boat rides and sailing experiences
- Kids zone activities

📍 Viaduct Events Centre
📍 Jellicoe Harbour
📍 New Zealand Maritime Museum
📍 Percy Vos Boat Yard

🕓 Friday 4pm–8pm

Saturday & Sunday 10am-5:00pm

Come down to the waterfront and be part of opening day!

13/03/2026

FESTIVAL MAP!

The Auckland Wooden Boat Festival is spread across 4 Waterfront Locations! Check our site map to plan your visit.

2026 Festival Dates:

Friday 13th March 4pm - 8pm
Saturday 14th March 10am - 5pm
Sunday 15th March 10am - 5pm

Locations:
📍Viaduct Event Centre,
📍Jellicoe Harbour
📍New Zealand Maritime Museum
📍Percy Vos Shed

12/03/2026

OPENS AT 4PM TODAY!

⛵The Auckland Wooden Boat Festival starts 4pm today!

👉Festival hours:

4pm-8pm Friday 13 March

10am-5pm Saturday 14 March

10am-5pm Sunday 15 March

12/03/2026

More than 90 model boats will feature at the Auckland Wooden Boat Festival which starts at 4pm tonight - each created by someone with a deep love of these small but perfectly formed and preserved precious objects.

www.aucklandwoodenboatfestival.co.nz/stories/scaled-down-good-things-come-in-small-packagesnbsp

More than 90 model boats will feature at the Auckland Wooden Boat Festival - each created by someone with a deep love of these small but perfectly formed and preserved precious objects. We had a quick chat with one of the most prolific, Allan Harkin, founder of Matakana Model Makers, known for its