New Zealand - It's easier than you may have been led to believe...
by Island Cruising and Down Under Rally 12 Feb 2024 01:19 UTC
New Zealand - It's easier than you may have been led to believe…… © Island Cruising NZ
Cruising the South Pacific - one season is not enough
With 8000 miles from Panama to Australia and thousands of unique islands and atolls to visit along the way, one season is simply not enough time to truly explore the South Pacific.
Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia are destinations in themselves and deserve much more than a fleeting visit. We strongly advocate spending at least 2 seasons in the South Pacific to really experience all the variety that the region has to offer. It's a long way to come and for many a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Taking a cyclone break
Irrespective of how fast or slow your pace, when November approaches most cruisers will be considering their options for the cyclone season. Some cruisers spend the summer in Pacific Islands, but they are playing with the odds as well as enduring the heat and humidity of the wet season.
Many more look forward to a break from the islands for a while, and New Zealand is the logical destination for a cyclone break, especially if you are returning to the Pacific Islands for a second season.
Aotearoa - New Zealand
As an island nation, New Zealand's maritime traditions are deep rooted - from the earliest Polynesian settlers who migrated across the mighty Pacific, and the Europeans who voyaged from the other side of the world.
Dependent on the sea for trade and communications, New Zealanders were forced to build seaworthy, reliable boats and to develop a deep understanding of seamanship. No part of New Zealand is far from the coast and, from its thousands of bays and coves, New Zealanders venture forth from an early age in all manner of boats.
Our largest city, Auckland, is known as the 'city of sails' and is the host city for the next America's Cup Regatta. The oftenquoted statistic is that there are more boats per capita in New Zealand than anywhere else in the world. In 2014, Auckland had over 135,000 registered boats, or one boat for approximately every 11 of the 1.45 million people living there. Unlike other parts of the world, sailing in New Zealand has never been an elitist pursuit.
Many of New Zealand's top sailors began their careers in boats that emerged from hours of devoted labour in garages and backyard sheds.
The late Sir Peter Blake, for example, whose sailing successes included the America's Cup, Whitbread Race and Jules Verne trophy, tested his mother's patience and ruined her flower beds by building his first boats in the family garden. Boat designer Bruce Farr, whose yachts have won most of the world's top yachting silverware, first produced lightning fast dinghies and skiffs in the family shed.
"New Zealand is a wonderful country for sailors. The Bay of Islands Is a world-class cruising area, and many folks never get any further. Whangarei is also a large cruising center, and there are excellent haulout yards" - Jim Corneman - Letters from the South Pacific
The passage to New Zealand - correcting the misinformation
Naturally the voyage from the Pacific Islands to New Zealand is always taken with a bit of trepidation, especially for firsttimers. For most cruisers, it is the first time sailing out of the predictable trade winds for many months, these concerns can be exacerbated by a lot of the misinformation that tends to circulate in cruising circles.
A common one that is often heard being repeated is; "to get to New Zealand you have to face the notoriously dangerous Tasman Sea twice".
We would just like to take this opportunity to correct this misinformation by providing some navigational re-education to those that disseminate this.
The Tasman Sea is in-fact a section of the southwestern Pacific Ocean, between the south-eastern coast of Australia and Tasmania to the west, and New Zealand on the east. Most cruisers heading to the East coast of New Zealand from the Pacific Islands will not encounter the Tasman Sea.
With modern forecasting and a flexible timeframe, the trip from the Pacific Islands to New Zealand and return can be spectacular, with many yachts opting to stop at North Minerva Reef for an incredible mid ocean reef experience.
Minerva Reef - a unique mid-ocean experience en route to NZ
Weather develops in two areas that will affect the passage this time of year. One is from the south west; systems form to the east of Australia moving up and across the Tasman Sea. The other is from the north west; in the Coral Sea off the north eastern Australian coast where tropical depressions form, possibly growing to cyclones.
Therefore, it is important like with all ocean crossings, to wait for a good weather window before departing on the 1200-mile journey.
Marine services - world renowned
New Zealand boasts some of the most creative and dynamic marine industry professionals in the world, our boatbuilders are world renowned and we pride ourselves on using quality products and providing exceptional service.
It is a great place for major projects with sailing-oriented marine services of all descriptions available at an affordable price.
As international cruisers Customs will be provided with a temporary import permit for your vessel which will also enable you to get many things GST free automatically saving you 15%. You don't have to request a GST refund on departure or prove that your projects were completed less than 60 days before you leave!
Cruising New Zealand
The northern part of the North Island is geographically subtropical and the southern part of the South Island is very close to the Southern Ocean and the sub-Antarctic islands. For this reason, New Zealand offers a unique cruising experience contained within only 1000 miles of coastline between the two islands.
Coastal cruising is very easy with thousands of excellent sheltered anchorages within a short distance of one another and plenty of very affordable marinas throughout New Zealand.
Take the opportunity to do short day hops between anchorages and explore some of our fantastic hiking, safe in the knowledge that our wildlife cannot harm you...... shoes optional!
Our sub-tropical waters also offer excellent swimming, snorkelling and diving with unique marine environments to experience....... and no need for stinger suits here!
For the New Zealand summer - November though to April - large high-pressure systems tend to dominate the country, giving settled weather with light north-easterlies.
Independent information
You don't have to take our word for it, there is plenty of independent and unbiased information available online from fellow cruisers.
Read the report here from cruising family who have recently completed the Tonga to New Zealand passage and had a fantastic stop in Minerva Reef with 11 other cruising yachts.
If we could do it again, how would we do it? This is a great retrospective article here from cruisers who spent 2 seasons in the Pacific.
North Minerva Reef - A once in a lifetime opportunity for a mid-ocean reef stop: More information here
For some great information on passage planning to New Zealand, see this informative article on Noonsite