What’s happening this weekend?
SATURDAY 1 AND SUNDAY 2 MARCH 2025
Lovers of boats, and those who enjoy history and the delights of storytelling: in association with the Maritime Museum and all of our partners we are delighted to welcome you to experience two days of insightful talks and engaging workshops, where experts and enthusiasts from various fields share their knowledge on navigation, heritage preservation and maritime history.
All events are free, but some require bookings.
TALKS
Aotearoa Waka Hourua story with Stan Conrad
Saturday 10am – 11.00am | Free, bookings required
Stan has many achievements as one of New Zealand’s leaders in modern Māori ocean voyaging and navigation. He is dedicated to the perpetuation of both ancestral and contemporary skills, as well as the knowledge of Pacific voyaging and navigating waka hourua.
New Zealand Maritime Museum Corner Quay St and Hobson St, Viaduct Harbour
Navigation and STEM with Sonny Natanielu
Saturday 11.30pm– 12.30pm | Free, bookings required
Sonny inspires students to connect with their rich cultural heritage while fostering essential STEM skills through the ocean voyaging innovations and achievements of their ancestors.
New Zealand Maritime Museum Corner Quay St and Hobson St, Viaduct Harbour
Stories of Women at Sea
Saturday 1.00pm – 2.00pm | Free, bookings required
Hosted by accomplished sailor and Auckland Wooden Boat Festival Co-Director Michelle Khan-Stevenson, with Catalina Leiva and Natia Tucker, explore the connection between wooden vessels and modern vessels as told by passionate female sailors.
New Zealand Maritime Museum Corner Quay St and Hobson St, Viaduct Harbour
Film screening: Whetū Mārama: Bright Star
Saturday 2.30pm – 4.00pm | Free, bookings required
The story of Sir Hekenukumai Ngaiwi Puhipi, aka Hek Busby, and his significance for Māori in rekindling their wayfinding DNA and for all New Zealanders in reclaiming our place as traditional star voyagers on the world map.
New Zealand Maritime Museum Corner Quay St and Hobson St, Viaduct Harbour
Auckland’s Classic Boating Events: A Visual Journey with Tony Stevenson
Sunday 10am – 10.30pm | Free, bookings required
Tony is a dynamic, fascinating speaker passionate about our boating heritage. He will share the story of Auckland’s classic boating events through pictures, highlighting those that have helped shaped the city’s maritime legacy.
New Zealand Maritime Museum Corner Quay St and Hobson St, Viaduct Harbour
Workshop: Classic vessel community building
Sunday 11am – 1pm | Free, bookings required
During the 2024 Auckland Wooden Boat Festival, a panel discussion sparked many conversations about ensuring the sustainability of the classic vessel community. We want to continue this conversation about the future of classic vessels. We invite you to join this interactive workshop to contribute your ideas and discuss the key topics raised during the panel.
New Zealand Maritime Museum Corner Quay St and Hobson St, Viaduct Harbour
William C Daldy – preserving living history with John Pratt
Sunday 1.30pm – 2.30pm | Free, bookings required
John will share the next chapter in the story of William C Daldy, covering the challenges of maintaining heritage in the modern world. Topics include the transition from coal to bio-fuel, turning a volunteer-driven hobby into a sustainable commercial operation, and ensuring ongoing maintenance to preserve the ship’s legacy for future generations.
New Zealand Maritime Museum Corner Quay St and Hobson St, Viaduct Harbour
Influences across the generations with Robert Brooke MNZM
Sunday 3.00pm – 4.00pm | Free, bookings required
A conversation between Robert and Russell Brooke on a life time of boating, people and design.
Robert completed his apprenticeship at P. Vos Ltd from 1955-1960 and was one of the last true young apprentices in wooden boat building. He started building clinker dinghies and decades later, went on to eventually lead New Zealand’s marine industry apprenticeships program. He has helped preserve New Zealand’s wooden boatbuilding heritage and continues to contribute to and advise pro bono on boatbuilding and restoration to this day.
“Robert well deserves his MNZOM. It’s just so nice that his life’s work is recognised as having national value – Harold Kidd”
All events are free, but some require bookings.
TOURS
Welcome onboard! Heritage boat tours at the Maritime Museum marina
Sat 1 and Sun 2 March, 10am - 2pm | Free, no bookings required
Experience Auckland’s stunning Waitematā Harbour aboard an incredible heritage vessel; Ted Ashby, Nautilus, Breeze and SS Puke. Explore on-board a wide variety of vessels including a waka hourua and classic yachts, all at the New Zealand Maritime Museum.
New Zealand Maritime Museum Corner Quay St and Hobson St, Viaduct Harbour
Percy Vos Boat Shed tour with Baden Pascoe
Friday 28 February 10.30am-11.30am | Free, bookings required
Join us for morning tea and a unique opportunity to step inside one of Auckland’s historic boat sheds. Baden Pascoe will share the fascinating history of Percy Vos and its role in preserving traditional boatbuilding skills for the future.
Meet at the Percy Vos shed, 38 Hamer Street, Wynyard Quarter
Discover Percy Vos. The man, the shed and living legacy
Saturday 1 – Sunday 2 March 10am – 1pm | Free, bookings required
Auckland’s oldest working wooden boat shed, Percy Vos shed is a marker of a historic moment in time, and has recently been restored as a celebration of our seafaring history. The New Zealand Traditional Boatbuilding School will hold talks and tours throughout the weekend.
Meet at the Percy Vos shed, 38 Hamer Street, Wynyard Quarter
Toi Whakairo: Master Carving in Action
Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 March, 10am - 2pm | Free, no bookings required
See master carver Wikuki Kingi and his team at work and witness the skill of these artisans as they carve their masterpieces in the Maritime Museum’s plaza.
New Zealand Maritime Museum Corner Quay St and Hobson St, Viaduct Harbour
All events are free, but some require bookings.
PLUS
The Classic Yacht Association is hosting an Open Day at Heritage Landing on Sunday 2 March, 10am - 2pm.