Auckland’s Gulf Harbour will host the opening round of the 2026 New Zealand Offshore Powerboat Championship on Saturday, 11 October 2025, marking the start of what promises to be an action-packed season of offshore racing.
Known as “The Hammerhead,” this inaugural round will see competitors battle across the Auckland waters in both the prestigious 100 Mile class and the 60 Mile class divisions, with the race course offering spectacular viewing opportunities for spectators.
The New Zealand Offshore Powerboat Association has organised a full day of racing at one of Auckland’s premier marine locations, with multiple vantage points available for fans including The Hammerhead Reserve, Tiri Road Reserve, and Hobbs Point.
Race Control will operate on-water with shore-based operations centred at The Hammerhead Reserve, which will also serve as the race pits and designated trailer parking area once boats have been launched.
The event is supported by key industry sponsors including Caveman Products, Mackay Boats, Acceleration on Water, Boating New Zealand, Dixon Stainless, BurgerFuel Whangaparaoa, and Playco Playgrounds.
Gulf Harbour – The Hammerhead Race Day Schedule
11 October 2025. Venue: Gulf Harbour, Auckland, New Zealand
| Session | Local Time (NZDT, UTC+13) | Your Time |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday 11 October | ||
| Race Control Setup at The Hammerhead | 06:30 | 06:30 |
| Scrutineering of Day Entries | 07:30 | 07:30 |
| Race Day Entries Close | 08:30 | 08:30 |
| Safety Boat Briefing at Race HQ | 09:00 | 09:00 |
| Race Briefing at Race HQ | 09:15 | 09:15 |
| First Race Start – The Auckland 100 | 11:00 | 11:00 |
| Second Race Start | 12:00 | 12:00 |
| All Boats Off Race Course | 14:00 | 14:00 |
| Prizegiving at Mainsail Bar | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Time conversion: Official times are in New Zealand Daylight Time (NZDT, UTC+13). The “your time” column automatically converts to your device’s time-zone.
Official Website | Contact NZOPA
Event Information
Launching: Boats will launch at the Gulf Harbour Public Boat Ramp. The NZOPA has secured allocated berths within Gulf Harbour Marina for competitors who provide proof of vessel insurance. Participants are reminded to be courteous and efficient at the public ramp, with priority given to larger vessels during high tide for retrieval.
Spectator Viewing: The race can be viewed from The Hammerhead Reserve, Tiri Road Reserve, and Hobbs Point. Race pits will be located at The Hammerhead Reserve, which also offers trailer parking once boats are launched.
Prizegiving: Following the conclusion of racing, prizegiving will be held at Mainsail Bar at 4:00pm, located just one minute from the boat ramp with ample parking available. The venue features a bistro for dinner service.
Championship Classes
The 2026 NZ Offshore Powerboat Championship features multiple classes:
- 100 Mile Class
- 60 Mile Class
- Classic Class
- Family Class/Nominated Speed
Race Officials: National Officer of the Day John Redwood leads a comprehensive team including Safety Officer Grant Rowe, Course Officer Ross Archer, and event organisers Ryan Archer and Owen Mackay.
The NZOPA maintains strict safety requirements for all competitors, with comprehensive scrutineering covering helmets, fire extinguishers, emergency air supply, distress flares, and all necessary safety equipment specific to each class.
John Moore’s involvement in powerboat racing began in 1981 when he competed in his first offshore powerboat race. After a career as a Financial Futures broker in the City of London, specialising in UK interest rate markets, he became actively involved in event organisation and powerboat racing journalism.
He served as Event Director for the Cowes–Torquay–Cowes races between 2010 and 2013. In 2016, he launched Powerboat Racing World, a digital platform providing global powerboat racing news and insights. The following year, he co-founded UKOPRA, helping to rejuvenate offshore racing in the United Kingdom. He sold Powerboat Racing World in late 2021 and remained actively involved with UKOPRA until 2025.
In 2025, he established Powerboat News, returning to independent journalism with a focus on neutral and comprehensive coverage of the sport.
