Sailing in Tauranga Harbour

Tauranga Harbour, New Zealand
Postcard published by National Publicity Studios, Wellington, Ref. 5657
Collection of Justine Neal

During November 1878 a meeting was held at Ellis’s Commercial Hotel for the formation of a Boating Club. Nineteen members joined the club, the membership was 2/6. The club purchased two four oar boats, two pairs and one sculling boat, all to be outriggers, at the cost of 130 pounds.

In October 1924 the club applied to the Harbour Board to build a clubhouse near to the new railway bridge which crossed to Matapihi. The clubhouse was built in 1933 and remained there until 1982 when a new clubhouse was opened at the new marina at Sulphur Point.

Coastal Scene, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand
Postcard published by N.S. Seaward's Studio, Broad Bay, Dunedin
Collection of Justine Neal

The P-class was designed by New Zealand civil engineer Harry Highet. The first example appeared at Onerahi near Whangarei on New Years Day 1920. It was not until Highet and his family moved to Tauranga in 1923 that the full potential of the design became apparent. Soon a fleet of a dozen or so were racing each weekend on Tauranga Harbour. The P-class was originally known as the Tauranga Class. Boats carried the letter P on their sails to indicate they were primary trainers. By 1940 boys from all round New Zealand were writing asking for the plans.

Fourteen Footers, Tauranga
Postcard published by Mirrielees, Tauranga, Ref. No. 61
Collection of Justine Neal

Between the First and Second World Wars yachting progressed at a remarkable rate, helped along by the arrival of an unballasted fourteen foot open boat, a centreboard dinghy with a restricted design. Promoted by the New Zealand Yachtsman magazine in 1916, it was taken up by wealthy patrons.

By 1922 races for the three local fourteen footers were being held in the harbour. In 1934 the Ward Memorial Cup was available for fourteen footers sailed by youths under twenty one.

Tauranga Adventure by Patrick Wilson, Illustrated by Ron Stenberg
Published in 1963 by A.H. & A.W. Reed, Wellington
Image courtesy of Justine Neal

In 1963 a hardcover children’s adventure story called Tauranga Adventure was published by Patrick Wilson. It tells the story of the four young Bromleys who sail their one man P-class yachts on Tauranga Harbour and who race them every weekend. Of course things are never straightforward in an adventure story and it’s a pretty exciting summer leading up to the presentation of the Challenge Cup at the end of the season!

Wikipedia
Papers Past
Te Ara Sailing and Windsurfing
Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club History