AUCKLAND- TALKLAND
If you are in the City of Sails this weekend (1st & 2nd March) then try to make a little room in the diary for this…
In association with the New Zealand National Maritime Museum, the Auckland Wooden Boat Festival are presenting two days of talks and workshops, where experts and enthusiasts from various fields share their knowledge on navigation, heritage preservation and maritime history.
Here’s a selection
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
Toi Whakairo: Master Carving in Action
Sat 1 & Sun 2 March. 10am - 2pm
See master carver Wikuki Kingi and his team at work and witness the skill of these artisans as they carve their masterpieces in the museum’s plaza.
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
Percy Vos Boat Shed Tour
Fri 28 Feb 10.30am - 11.30am
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.
The name ‘Percy Vos’ is synonymous with skill, craftsmanship and innovative boat design. Many of Aotearoa’s finest vessels were built there; the last place in the country to build wooden boats. Following a major two-year restoration project, the boatbuilding shed is now under the care of the New Zealand Maritime Museum. Come and hear about Percy Vos the man and his shed, what it takes to preserve a heritage building and its future role in preserving the craftmanship of wooden boatbuilding.
Please note this event is held at Percy Vos Boat Shed (not the NZ Maritime Museum) . Please make your way directly to Percy Vos Boat Shed for the tour - click here for directions.
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 and others, making the connection between wooden vessels and modern vessels as told by wahine Māori and women 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
Vessel Showcase | Deck Tours
Sat 1 and Sun 2 March 10am - 2pm
As part of the Auckland Wooden Boat Festival Talks and Tours edition, the museum’s marina is holding an open weekend onboard a selection of historic vessels and ocean-voyaging waka. Step on deck and meet the passionate crews as they share the history, craftsmanship, and enduring legacy of these magnificent vessels.
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