“Foil4TheGulf” sets Southern Hemisphere record
by Live Ocean 24 May 21:12 NZST
Foil4TheGulf becomes New Zealand's largest foiling event - May 24, 2025 © LiveOcean
With over 200 entrants the Black Foils and Live Ocean’s event “Foil4TheGulf” to raise awareness for the Hauraki Gulf / Tikapa Moana Marine Protection Bill has become New Zealand’s largest ever foiling event by entries.
The event held today at Auckland’s Okahu Bay was inspired by the Hauraki Gulf / Tikapa Moana Marine Protection Bill’s stalled progress in Parliament. The previous record for a foiling event in New Zealand was this year’s Foil Bay of Islands event which had just over 150 entrants.
Launched out of the Royal Akarana Yacht Club, Foil4TheGulf brought together foilers (beginners through to experienced), from across Tamaki Makaurau and beyond. Attendees didn’t have to get in the water to join in the action with options to learn more about the need to protect the Gulf including a speaker panel and foiling lessons before the main event.
The ambition for the day was to garner public and political attention at the event and draw the focus back to passing the important marine protection Bill. A number of elected officials also attended on the day including Auckland Central MP and Green Party Co-Leader Chlöe Swarbrick and Auckland’s Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson.
Black Foils Co-CEO and Live Ocean Founder Peter Burling said it was special to see the foiling community come together to support the event.
“It was great that the lack of breeze didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits. Everyone still got out on the water and had some good yarns and enjoyed being together. Hopefully everyone who was here today passes the message on to their family and friends to really drive some momentum behind the bill. It’s a team effort to get these things done and it was awesome to see the size of the team today.”
Burling’s fellow Co-CEO and Live Ocean Founder Blair Tuke hoped the event would help spread the word on the urgent need to protect the gulf.
“The turn out today really reinforces how much the Hauraki Gulf means to such a wide range of people. It’s a taonga for all of New Zealand but it’s in decline. Hopefully this event can put some energy behind the efforts to protect it.”
A public campaign has accompanied the foiling event, encouraging participants, spectators, friends and family in attendance, and across all digital platforms to share digital postcard images and messages of what they love about the Gulf which will be sent to politicians - asking for it to be restored for future generations.
100% of the proceeds from the event have gone directly to Live Ocean to support restoration work in the Hauraki Gulf.
The event was made possible by support from Armstrong Foils, Royal Akarana Yacht Club, Akarana Marine Sports Trust, Appliances Online, Oceania Insurance Brokers and Heineken.
Hauraki Gulf / Tikapa Moana Marine Protection Bill
The proposed Bill plans to introduce 19 new marine protection areas in the Hauraki Gulf / Tikapa Moana.
The network includes:
- Two new marine reserves, extending the existing Te Whanganui-o-Hei (Cathedral Cove) and Cape Rodney–Okakari Point (Goat Island) reserves.
- Twelve High Protection Areas (HPAs) to restore marine habitats and ecosystems, while allowing for customary tangata whenua practices.
- Five Seafloor Protection Areas (SPAs) that safeguard seafloor habitats but allow non-damaging activities like non-bottom-contact fishing.
- Builds on the Sea Change Tai Timu Tai Pari plan and incorporates feedback from tangata whenua, stakeholders, and the public.
- Government amendments announced have proposed allowing limited ring-net fishing in two HPAs previously designated as High Protection Areas.
Status: Bill passed its second reading in December 2024; currently awaiting Committee of the Whole House and Third Reading stages.
Further details are available on the New Zealand Parliament website.