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- Trans-Tasman festivals strengthen maritime ties
The Australian Wooden Boat Festival (AWBF) has strengthened its connection with New Zealand’s maritime sector, following a showcase at the Auckland Wooden Boat Festival in March.
A Tasmanian delegation travelled to Auckland to present a travelling container exhibition, sharing stories of local boatbuilding, craftsmanship and maritime heritage with new audiences.
At the centre of the display was the revival of the Derwent Class yachts — a racing fleet that has sailed on the River Derwent for more than a century. The exhibition featured a mix of established and emerging Tasmanian boatbuilders, alongside First Nations watercraft, historic piners’ punts, and stories tied to Tasmania’s timber and hydro industries.
The showcase builds on a reciprocal exchange between the two festivals, with Auckland previously presenting in Hobart during AWBF 2025. Held in alternate years, the events are creating an ongoing connection between Hobart and Auckland — supporting knowledge sharing, industry collaboration and cultural exchange.
AWBF General Manager Paul Stephanus said the partnership reflects a long-standing tradition within maritime communities, connecting skills, materials and stories across generations and borders.
Beyond industry benefits, the collaboration is also encouraging visitation between the two cities, strengthening tourism ties across the Tasman.
The exhibition will return to Hobart for the next Australian Wooden Boat Festival, 5–8 February 2027, with plans to further develop the travelling showcase.
