Key Information for Exhibiting Boats
Everything exhibitors on-water and on-land need to know about:
Pack in, pack out, and being part of the Auckland Wooden Boat Festival 2026!
Read all three sections and fill in the
Boat Owners / Skippers Confirmation Form
(UPDATED-Site plans - 3 March 2026)
1.
Information for all exhibitors
Opening hours
The hours for the public are
Friday 13 March 4pm - 8pm
Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 March 10am – 5pm.
Boat owners can access the marina one hour before and after the opening hours. Except for Saturday when the marina will stay open until 8.30pm for the Marina Mainstreet function.
The gates will be locked outside of these hours and security guards will be onsite.
Security and assistance
Security will be onsite throughout the festival with roving security guards after hours. Volunteers and event staff will be onsite during pack-in, festival hours and pack-out to assist, as needed.
On-Water Boat Directory
Please review your listing in our online directory and let us know if any important changes are needed.
Contact information
If you need to reach us, we recommend you email awbf@nwv.co.nz.
Boats in the marina can use VHF Channel 77 or mobile 027 481 0498.
Owners responsibility
While the festival will take every precaution to create a safe environment, participation is at the owners risk.
Insurance
All exhibits and boats are at the sole risk of the owner. All owners should make their own arrangements for insurance against all risks.
The organisers will not (either directly or indirectly) be liable for any loss or damage, nor liable for payment of any owner’s insurance excess.
Boat Owners Breakfast function
Saturday 14 March, 8am – 9.30pm, Viaduct Event Centre, Level 2. A light breakfast with tea and coffee will be served.
Skippers bags
Can picked up at the ‘Festival Wheelhouse’ - VEC Reception from Friday 4pm.
Marina Mainstreet function
Saturday 14 March 5pm - 8.30pm, for boat owners and crew only.
All attendees will require a wristband which will be placed in the Skippers bag. These must be worn, no exceptions. Security will be monitoring all gates.
Cafe and coffee on-site:
The cafe is located inside the Viaduct Event Centre with several food trucks located in the Boat Yard (at the back of the VEC.)
Coffee carts are located inside the VEC and at the front entrance.
Indemnity
Owners agree to indemnify and keep the organisers indemnified against all action, claims, demands, proceedings, suits, costs, damages, expenses and losses whatsoever (whether to property, person economic loss or otherwise) arising out of their participation in the festival.
No commercial or brokerage advertising
This is a free festival therefore, no commercial or brokerage advertising to be displayed without prior written approval from the festival organisers. The Auckland Boat Show is on 8-17th March for commercial companies.
If you have a company interested in commercially supporting the festival or you have a request, please contact awbf@nwv.co.nz with further details.
Please do not be offended if we ask for any non-approved commercial or brokerage signage to be removed.
2.
Information for on-land exhibitors
Viaduct Events Centre level 1 and 2 plus the Boat Yard on Halsey St Wharf
Download the Viaduct Event Centre event floorplan
First, check your exhibit location and pack-in and pack-out times and location, by clicking the orange link
Boat Owner / Skippers Bag
Can be picked up for the ‘Festival Wheelhouse’ / VEC Reception from Friday 4pm.
Volunteers will be on-hand
To help you unload you boat / equipment - let us know what you need.
Parking during pack in and pack down
Parking is available on the wharf during the pack in and pack out periods only.
You will be asked by security to: Display your name, mobile number and arrival time clearly on your dashboard while you are onsite.
3.
Information for on-water exhibitors
In Jellicoe Harbour
Get your boat’s location, the marina plan and your pack in/ pack out time
First, check your exhibit location and pack-in and pack-out times and location, by clicking the orange link
Please arrive on-time - I’m sure you will appreciate that packing in the boats is like a jigsaw puzzle.
Tell us if you are running late through VHF Channel 77 or by calling 027 481 0498.
Call VHF 77 on arrival to Jellicoe Harbour
Upon arrival radio using VHF Channel 77.
The operator will direct you to your section.
If there is a problem with your VHF, please call mobile: 027 481 0498.
Fenders and lines ready!
Please have your fenders ready on both sides of your boat plus bow, spring and stern lines ready to throw to the festival marina volunteers.
If you require new fenders or lines please contact our festival friends at Chains Ropes and Anchors.
Assistance
The on-water team will assist as needed, with the marina team ready to help catch lines.
Issues?
If you have any issues on the day contact the team on VHF Channel 77 or call 027 481 0498.
Skippers Bag
Can be picked up for the ‘Festival Wheelhouse’ / VEC Reception from Friday 4pm.
Pack-out
Please also note your pack-out day / time.
Arrive clean! Tidy your boat as much as possible before arriving on-site.
Tidy is ok, pristine is optional. It’s about the stories of the boats and the people not the one with the most bling!
Dinghy Park: Space is allocated in the marina for a Dinghy Park for those who need to bring their dinghy with them or need to remove them from their boat.
Overnight stays, for out of Auckland boats: There is overnight marina security for all boats. There is no overnight stays without prior written approval from the festival organisers.
Overnight stays, for Auckland owned boats: Unfortunately there is no overnight stays on your boat. The festival organisers cannot afford to be held responsible for any incidents that occur outside of the festival hours.
We appreciate your co-operation with this in our second year. It may change in the future.
Marina boat owners hours are: One hour before and after the opening hours, except for Saturday when the marina will stay open until 8.30pm. The marina gates will be locked outside of these hours.
Mediterranean-style layout: Due to the restricted marina space, we understand that not every boat will be able to be boarded by members of the public.
We ask that you maintain a presence on board or on the dock, as much as possible to share stories with attendees.
If your boat is able to be boarded: Please consider a roster for your supporters to help out. Allow attendees into areas that you are comfort with, they do not need to walk through your whole boat, if you prefer they don’t.
4. ALL BOAT OWNERS / SKIPPERS confirmation form
PLEASE FILL IN YOUR NAME AND THE NAME OF YOUR BOAT
ANSWER THE FIVE QUESTIONS
SUBMIT (before Wednesday 25 February 2026)
