Toyota New Zealand Partners With Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron

The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS) is proud to announce Toyota New Zealand as a major partner. This partnership sees Toyota New Zealand become RNZYS’ official vehicle supplier for the next two years, and partner for the Toyota Kiwi Cup Regatta and Toyota Kiwi Cup Tour.

This exciting new partnership between Toyota New Zealand and RNZYS will see two longtime supporters of Emirates Team New Zealand come together to achieve outcomes for the New Zealand yachting community at all levels.

Toyota has been involved with Emirates Team New Zealand for over 30 years, back when it was one of the original “Big Five” who supported the victorious Sir Peter Blake lead campaign in San Diego, in 1995.

Since then, their support has been unwavering, leading consecutive Americas Cup campaigns carrying slogans that became household catchphrases. “Lean in” and “Loyal” were rallying cries that Kiwis across the country resonated with.

Through this, Toyota New Zealand have remained true to their support of New Zealand in the America’s Cup as they see its ability to bring the country together and have a significant impact for the sport at a grassroots level.

In the same vein RNZYS have been instrumental in leading supporters across the world as well as being a central focus for those back home. On and off the water you won’t find more pride or passion than that of a Squadron member.

Coupled with the ongoing success of the Mastercard Youth Training Programme, taking grassroots talent and developing sailors that are considered internationally competitive in multiple classes, an opportunity was identified to form a partnership that would amplify these values and principles to new levels of achievement, while ensuring a strong community focus is achieved for both Toyota and RNZYS.

The first exciting project thanks to this partnership is the launch of the Toyota Kiwi Cup Regatta.

This is a newly created national training opportunity and event regatta for 14 to 18 year olds.

The event will be held on the Waitemata Harbour from the 30th September to the 4th of October with 10 teams from across the country competing against each other while also having the opportunity to connect with the marine industry.

As part of the buildup to the 37th Americas Cup, Toyota and the RNZYS are staging a nationwide road trip with the Auld Mug visiting each of the 10 teams yacht clubs and communities of the Toyota Kiwi Cup Regatta participants.

Beginning in early September and transported by Toyota vehicles, the tour will be instrumental in connecting New Zealanders from all corners of the country to the 37th America’s Cup Event that will be underway in Barcelona at the time. The tour will visit schools, yacht clubs and Toyota Stores across the country.

The partnership is also assisting the RNZYS to continue its sustainability journey with the club’s car fleet now supplied as Toyota hybrid vehicles. The hybrids allow a considerably lower use of fuel consumption with greater range seeing a lowering in running costs, as well as a reduced carbon footprint.

Toyota was recently named as #1 in the annual Kantar Corporate Reputation Index that measures public perception in terms of trust and fairness. Through partnering with the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, we look forward to extending that perception into communities both locally and throughout the country during the Toyota Kiwi Cup Regatta and Toyota Kiwi Cup Tour, as we make good on our ambition to be the leading yacht club both in Aotearoa as well as the world.

“We are thrilled to welcome Toyota to the RNZYS community,” says RNZYS Commodore Andrew Aitken. “Their commitment to community, innovation and excellence aligns ideally with our own values, and we look forward to having their fresh enthusiasm and energy at our club.”

Toyota New Zealand Assistant Vice President, Susanne Hardy, says clubs like RNZYS play a vital role in our communities, fostering talent and promoting health which strongly aligns with Toyota New Zealand’s objective to support grassroots sports.

“We are thrilled to partner with RNZYS on this exciting new community venture to bring the spirit of the America’s Cup to New Zealand and support grassroots sailing clubs to get involved in the Toyota Kiwi Cup Regatta.”