Tall ships arrive for Labour Weekend

The Picton Castle under full sail. Photo: Supplied

Eight tall ships, led by Spirit of New Zealand, and over 600 sailors will sail into Auckland Harbour tomorrow afternoon.

Members of the public can Join the flotilla on the water or watch from viewpoints around Waitemata Harbour as the boats round North Head on Friday at 2pm and will be guided into their berths at Hobson, Queens & Princes Wharves by Maori Waka at 3pm

The three-day festival held over Labour Day weekend will be hosted by Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum.

Event director and former Spirit of Adventure CEO John Lister said this is a wonderful opportunity for Aucklanders to witness the spectacle of a tall ships fleet.

"It's rare to get such a group of ships in our part of the world and too good an opportunity to let slip by.

Among the ships is the Picton Castle from Nova Scotia carrying trainees, many of them first-time sailors.

The 85-year-old ship which served as a steam trawler, Second World War minesweeper and freighter has completed five circumnavigations of the globe.

On Saturday crews will assemble and march along the waterfront from the Viaduct Events Centre in Wynyard Quarter to the Cloud on Queens Wharf, led by the Royal NZ Navy Band.

There will be an official welcome and Powhiri to be held at the Cloud.

The ships will be open for viewing from 11am.

Alastair Aitken, Chairman of Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum Trust Board said Labour Weekend 2013 will see Auckland's waterfront come alive.

"We hope thousands of Aucklanders will come and explore the ships ."

All Eight ships will depart the wharves at midday with a full Naval salute at Orakei Wharf at 1pm.