Aotearoa Ocean Racing set for 25th Auckland Boat Show appearance
- Feb 18
- 2 min read
One year out from the 2027 Auckland stopover of The Ocean Race, we are proud to confirm that Aotearoa Ocean Racing will be part of the 25th Auckland Boat Show this March.
Led by Conrad Colman, our team will be on site at the Viaduct Events Centre alongside key members of our sailing and shore crew, as well as our environmental impact partners Ocean Regeneration Aotearoa. With momentum building toward 2027, this is an opportunity to share our vision with the New Zealand marine community.
Conrad returns home having completed two editions of the Vendée Globe and four circumnavigations in total, establishing himself as one of the most resilient offshore competitors on the European circuit. His most recent campaigns set a new benchmark within the IMOCA fleet, completing the race without burning fossil fuels.
Building a world class IMOCA campaign
Our focus is clear.
We are developing a foiling IMOCA campaign with strong New Zealand roots. Kiwi design, innovation and technology involvement, supported by operational bases in both New Zealand and France. This is about creating a high performance campaign capable of competing at the front of the fleet while showcasing Kiwi innovation on a global stage.
But this project goes beyond racing.
Aotearoa Ocean Racing is committed to:
Advancing sustainable marine innovation
Creating meaningful youth pathways into offshore sailing and the marine industry
Increasing women’s participation in high performance offshore racing
Deepening Māori engagement across sailing and the wider ocean economy
The Auckland Boat Show provides a powerful platform to bring that ambition to life. With more than 200 boats on display and thousands of visitors expected, the 25th edition reflects the strength of New Zealand’s maritime heritage and the scale of its future potential.
Join us
The 25th Auckland Boat Show takes place from Thursday 5 to Sunday 8 March 2026 at the Viaduct Events Centre in Auckland. With over 1.3km of boats on the water, dedicated sustainability and careers zones, sea trials and interactive activations, it is a key moment for our industry.
We look forward to connecting with partners, sailors, innovators and future crew as we build toward 2027.
Tickets are available via the Auckland Boat Show website. Media Enquiries:
Press Contact Name: Rowan Gyde
