Auckland’s hills create a natural venue for boating. Right here stands the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. It is New Zealand’s most decorated yacht club. This is the home of the America’s Cup.
The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron aspires to be the leading local and international yacht club. The Squadron traces its origin back to the 1871 Auckland Yacht Club. It had 30 yachts and 120 members. By then Auckland had grown into a thriving city. The harbor played a central role in its progress.
Early meeting places were the Thames and Waitemata Hotels. The first club headquarters were established in 1898. Rooms were rented in the Palmerston Buildings.
In 1887, the Auckland Yacht Club absorbed members of the Hauraki Yacht Club. In 1901, it changed its name to the New Zealand Yacht Squadron. In 1902, King Edward VII granted a royal warrant. The club became the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. Membership almost doubled. It went from 157 in 1901 to 300 in 1903.
During both world wars yacht racing was largely suspended. RNZYS members served in all theaters of both wars. They served in all the armed services. Some members owned launches. They were involved in harbor defense and patrol duties.
The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron moved through rented premises. In 1955, it bought a two-story brick house. It was on Parliament Street. It had views over the Waitemata Harbour. A decade later, the RNZYS acquired its current premises at Westhaven. First it was a lease and subsequently a purchase.
From the 1960s, the RNZYS was at the forefront of international competition. In 1966, James Davern sailed his yacht Fidelis across the Tasman Sea. He won line honors in the Sydney-Hobart Race. Fidelis set a new race record. The 17-hour margin stands as the longest in the race’s history.
In 1969, Chris Bouzaid and a RNZYS crew competed internationally. Bouzaid and his Rainbow II crew won the One Ton Cup in Germany. They competed against seasoned competitors.
The RNZYS trophy cabinets display yachting prizes. These include the Half, One and Two-Ton Cups. Also the Admiral’s Cup and the Kenwood Cup. Other prizes include the Champagne Mumm World Cup. Also the Whitbread Round the World Trophy and the Louis Vuitton Trophy.
Team New Zealand won the America’s Cup in San Diego in 1995. They defended it on the Hauraki Gulf in 2000. In 2017, Emirates Team New Zealand scored a 7-1 victory over Oracle Team USA in Bermuda.
In 2021, Emirates Team New Zealand defended the 36th America’s Cup in Auckland. They defeated Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli. The RNZYS remains the Home of the America’s Cup.
The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron has a wide range of events. There are thousands of races per year. There are many social events. A Members Bar is open seven days a week. All day parking is complimentary to members and event guests. The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron is a spacious building. It is a multi-functional building. It is at the foot of the Harbour Bridge in Westhaven Marina.