Waitemata white water

From City Scene, published on 27 April, 2008

There will be plenty of white water on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour on Saturday, 10 May during the Auckland Harbour Bridge Offshore Powerboat Race - the final event in the 2008 New Zealand Offshore Powerboat Championship season.

The family-friendly fun kicks off on Friday, 9 May with the boats forming a procession down Queen Street from noon, bound for the Viaduct Harbour. The 11m-long, twin V-8, 1300 horsepower boats will be on display at the Viaduct for the rest of the day as drivers and crews prepare to compete and are on hand to answer the public's questions.

The first race on Saturday starts at noon, with boats competing in a 15-lap circuit of the Waitemata Harbour, passing underneath the Harbour Bridge.

The boats are expected to approach speeds of up to 200 km/h, making offshore powerboating a great spectacle and the marine equivalent of Formula 1 motor racing.

Auckland City Council is proud to support this event, which celebrates our unique harbour setting and strong maritime connection.