About Hyundai Marine Sports Centre
The Hyundai Marine Sports Centre (HMSC) is a purpose-built waterfront sports complex at Okahu Bay on Auckland’s eastern harbour. Owned by the Akarana Marine Sports Charitable Trust and sponsored by Hyundai New Zealand, the centre serves as a hub for boating, paddling and outdoor fitness. With commanding views of Waitematā Harbour and Rangitoto Island, the centre replaced the historic Royal Akarana Yacht Club clubhouse on this site. In fact, the old yacht club became part of the new facility, so it continues a long sailing legacy in Ōrākei. Officially completed in 2018, the centre was opened with local government support – for example Ōrākei councillor Desley Simpson called it a “great example of how local government can partner with business to provide facilities that bring real benefit to the community” (ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz). The building’s sleek design evokes sails and waves, with sweeping curved roofs and glass walls that capture harbour views. Inside there are boat storage bays, change rooms and a fully-equipped gym. Training and meeting rooms (over 800 m² of learning spaces) are fitted with modern audiovisual technology (www.nzia.co.nz). In short, HMSC is a fully inclusive marine sports hub, built for high-performance training, community recreation and even conferences – a unique waterfront venue on the Auckland scene (www.hyundai.co.nz) (www.nzia.co.nz).
Events and Programming
HMSC’s calendar is full of watersports and community events. As a national sports venue, it regularly hosts regattas and races – for example Wai 2019 saw the combined 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 World Championships here (www.nzia.co.nz). Locally, the Akarana Sailing Series (“Akarana Summer Series”) runs club dinghy races out in Okahu Bay, and paddling events like the Auckland University Great Waka Ama race or the fortnightly Paddlefest SUP series bring hundreds of competitors. Triathlons (like the popular People’s Triathlon on Tamaki Drive) often use the centre as a start/finish. These competitions are typically organised by local clubs (Royal Akarana Yacht Club, Auckland Sailing Club, Waka Ama clubs etc.), and many are free for spectators to watch from shore.
Aside from sports, the centre hosts engaging community and social gatherings. Summer events on the grounds include Splash Landing – a family festival of on-water inflatables, waka-ama, craft booths and food trucks. (For example, the March 2024 Splash Landing drew thousands of visitors for a weekend of fun and sunshine.) Really catching on are waterfront social occasions like “Salty Sundays” – open-air dance parties with live DJs on the lawn – and “Rise & Vibe,” a sunrise group dance/yoga event with coffee and showers for early-rising participants. There are also themed charity and cultural events (for example, a Santa Paws dress-up party for pets, or “Sip & Share” networking lunches at Akarana Eatery). Between 2020–2025 the centre’s programme has focused largely on sports and community festivals rather than concerts or big name music acts. (Any live music tends to be DJ or local performers at these social events.) Overall, nearly every weekend brings something new – whether it’s a sailing championship, a school kayak regatta, a waka ama tournament or a casual waterfront party by the bar.
Tickets and Booking
The Hyundai Marine Sports Centre itself does not have a central ticket box office like a theatre. Instead, event organizers handle ticketing for each activity. For major sports regattas, entry is often free or a small spectator fee collected on site. Larger festivals (like Splash Landing) usually require advance tickets or wristbands; these are typically sold through the hosting organizations (for example the Akarana Trust or Ōrākei Local Board websites when events are announced). To attend a sailing or paddling competition, visitors generally turn up and watch at no charge unless stated otherwise. Corporate events, conferences and dinners held in the centre’s hireable venues can be booked in advance – inquiries go through the Akarana events team rather than a public box office. In short: check the Akarana Trust or event-specific announcements for details. For big events that do sell tickets, popular ones may sell out early, so it’s wise to register or buy early online via the official channels when dates are released. There is no external ticketing stand on site – everything is handled through event organisers or the Akarana booking office.
Seating and Layout
The centre’s large rooms are highly flexible. The main waterfront event space (often called the “Waterfront Venue”) is about 360 m² and can seat between about 60 and 350 people depending on setup (www.sharedspace.co.nz). For theatre-style lectures or presentations, rows of chairs may be set up facing the glass wall so everyone can still see the harbour. The room also converts to banquet style for gigs or dinners. There are no permanent stadium seats – all seating is provided as needed. Hence for a conference you’ll find rows of banquet chairs and tables; for a community meeting folks might sit at round tables or just on available chairs. Upstairs meeting rooms and AV-equipped classrooms seat a few dozen each, and there’s a flexible training room and open mezzanine platforms too. Outdoors, the deck and lawn in front of the building serve as spectator areas – people often stand or sit on foldable chairs by the water to watch the boating action. Best viewing spots for waterfront activities include the upper terrace (with railings along the balcony) and the shoreline just in front. While acoustics are modern, the hall has a high ceiling and glass surfaces so sound can carry – special PA speakers are used for audio announcements during events. The venue is not designed as a concert hall, so expect a conference-style sound system rather than theatrical lighting. Overall, the facility is designed for visibility and comfort: large windows and open views mean almost any seat has a great outlook, though avoid seating right next to loudspeakers during large events if you’re sensitive to noise.
Getting There and Parking
The Hyundai Marine Sports Centre is located at 8-10 Tāmaki Drive, Ōrākei (Okahu Bay), just east of Auckland CBD. By car it’s about a 10-minute drive from the city centre via the Auckland Harbour Bridge and Tāmaki Drive. Onsite parking is plentiful: there’s a large lot behind the building with both free and paid sections, and even trailer parking for boats (akarana.co.nz). This includes dedicated disabled bays near the entrance. Visitors should note that on-street parking on Tāmaki Drive is limited and mostly metered or time-restricted. Additional public parking can be found a short walk west at the Kelly Tarlton’s aquarium carpark (which charges hourly). Downtown drivers can follow Google Maps to “Hyundai Marine Sports Centre” – there’s ample signage up Tāmaki Drive once you’re close.
Public transport is also an option. Several frequent buses run along Tāmaki Drive and stop at Okahu Bay (for example the 76 and 781 routes connecting the CBD, Mission Bay and St Heliers). The Ōrākei train station (Eastern Line) is about 1.2 km away; from there you can catch a connecting bus or walk via the coastal path that loops around Okahu Bay. The scenic waterfront cycleway on Tāmaki Drive means you can also bike from the city or Mission Bay. For drop-offs and rideshares, the main entrance on Tāmaki Drive has a small turnaround area – Uber and taxi drivers can pull up there. In summary: the easiest way is usually by road, but several bus lines serve the area. Tram / ferry connections do not go directly to Okahu, so keep to bus or train if using public transit. Once you park, everything (café, bathrooms, event halls) is on ground level or one accessible storey up, so you won’t need to hike far from your car or bus stop.
Inside the Venue
On arrival you’ll find a modern clubhouse atmosphere. Entry is generally open – if a ticketed event is underway, staff will check passes or tickets at the door. There is standard security (bag check during big events) but no airport-style screening. Security staff and life guards are on hand when water activities run. The lobby and hallways are bright with nonstop harbour views through glass walls. Throughout the building you’ll find plywood and aluminum finishes themed with nautical touches. The centre’s main bar and café is the Akarana Eatery, open daily for visitors. (It offers breakfast through dinner and coffee – see below.)
Facilities inside include ample restrooms (all wheelchair accessible), changing rooms with lockers, and a spacious strength & conditioning gym next to a “Joyce Fisher” training/lecture room (www.hyundai.co.nz). Free Wi-Fi is available in all meeting rooms and event spaces, and there is high-speed connectivity for presentations (acb.aucklandnz.com). If you need to plug in devices, each room has multiple power outlets (plus a few USB charging stations in lobbies). The in-house sound and AV systems cover all conference rooms, so projectors, microphones and speakers are provided when needed (acb.aucklandnz.com) (www.nzia.co.nz). Special event gear (like stage risers or lighting rigs) can be rented for performances, though most gatherings here use basic charcoal lights and PA that the centre provides.
The overall vibe is casual and friendly. You’ll often see athletes in sportswear homing their gear (Waka Ama paddlers, triathletes, sailing seniors) chatting with families sipping coffee on the deck. Staff and volunteers wear branded Akarana or club shirts. Children frequently run around the ground floor or play on the lawn outside during family events. There is usually music – radio-soft inside, DJ sets at weekends. The atmosphere is neither overly formal nor rowdy; it feels like a community boathouse mixed with a waterfront conference centre.
For food and drink, the Akarana Eatery provides gourmet café meals and an espresso bar from early morning. On event days you may also spot food trucks parked right outside (common during large summer festivals). Alcoholic drinks (wine, beer, cocktails) are served at the Eatery/bar area when open (thu–sat evenings late, other days to 3–5pm as per published hours (akarana.co.nz)). It’s perfectly fine to bring your own soft drinks or snacks (especially for kids), but note that outside alcohol is only allowed if pre-arranged (most public events are BYO-nonalcohol). High chairs and a kids’ outdoor playground are available, making it family friendly. Changing-rooms and showers are available if you’ve been on the water or sea swim. Overall, expect a relaxed, sanitary interior: everything is wheelchair-accessible (ramps, lifts and widened doors throughout) and pet-friendly only for service animals.
Nearby Amenities
Just steps away from the venue you’ll find Okahu Bay’s small Breakwater Street precinct. Here there are a few cafes and stores – notably the iconic O’Briens Wharf seafood restaurant and the Rendezvous Cafe (The Boathouse) right at the water’s edge. A grocery corner store and convenience outlets are within a 5-minute walk on Tāmaki Drive. If you’re looking for more variety, the popular Mission Bay village is just a two-minute drive (or a 20-minute walk) east along the promenade – Mission Bay offers multiple eateries and diners (Charley’s Beach House, Lychee Asian fusion, The Store cafe, a bakery and gelato stand, etc.). Heading west, Orākei Bay Village (about 500m away) has boutique shops, a Vietnamese restaurant and a bistro, plus the 228 Orakei Road building with wine shops and a café.
For post-event drinks or an evening out, the centre’s on-site bar is most convenient. However, a short drive south finds St Heliers Bay pubs and bars, or the Domain area has upscale options (Parnell Mainstreet’s Largo or Epic, for example). There aren’t any hotels on the doorstep, but many in central Auckland are close by (within 10–15 min drive). The nearest large hotel is the Novotel Ellerslie (with its new event centre) about 4 km south. Downtown hotels around the Sky Tower are only another few minutes away by road. For weekend stays, families often rent beachside apartments or use nearby B&Bs in Remuera or Mission Bay.
If arriving early, you can grab pre-show coffee at the Eatery (opens 7:30am daily (akarana.co.nz)). After an event, note that the Eatery stays open late Thursday–Saturday, and there’s sometimes late-night pizza delivery advertising to the carpark. Late-night ride-hailing/taxis service the area well; buses run until around 10pm. A useful local tip: there’s a large council parking building next to Kelly Tarlton’s (200m west) open 24/7 (paid) – walking from there is a safe option if the on-site lot is full. Overall, the neighbourhood is residential and calm after dark, with streetlights and a safe harbour promenade for after-party strolls.
What Makes This Venue Special
Several things set HMSC apart. Architecturally, its seaside location means every event has a natural backdrop: floor-to-ceiling windows offer panoramic harbour views that few inland venues can match (www.nzia.co.nz) (www.sharedspace.co.nz). The building’s sculpted rooflines and maritime colour scheme nod to the harbour heritage (visitors often comment that the structure looks like a “giant sail” or “ocean wave”). Culturally, the site honors Ōrākei’s history: it was built within the grounds of an old pā (fortified village) and on land of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, so the project included iwi consultations and even uses local wood in its joinery.
Historically, the centre has already seen some memorable moments. In November 2019, only one year after its grand opening, HMSC hosted the world 49er and Nacra sailing championships, with Kiwi sailors Peter Burling and Blair Tuke taking gold at “home” (www.hyundai.co.nz) (www.nzia.co.nz). That win, and the fact that roughly 400 international athletes gathered here, put Auckland on the marine sports map. The venue is also close to an older Olympic training reef: Okahu Bay has long been where local Olympians (like Burling & Tuke, Alex Maloney and Molly Meech) learned their ropes (www.hyundai.co.nz). In that sense, HMSC’s opening cemented Okahu Bay’s reputation as a breeding ground for champions.
On a community level, HMSC has become an energetic social hub. It holds a local place in people’s hearts – you might hear Aucklanders casually call it “The Akarana Centre” or “the Marine Centre.” For many kids in Auckland, it’s the place they went on a school trip to try kayaking or on a summer Sailability programme in an accessible dinghy. Local traditions have sprung up here: for example, the Kiwiana-bagged annual Splash Landing drew Māori waka to perform, and some Māori rowing clubs regularly race through the adjacent waters every Waitangi Day. Even from land, the promenaders see famously signal the Passing of the Sail: when a fleet of waka or yachts return from races, people line up on the terrace of HMSC to cheer. In short, both athletes and community members love it. For performers (i.e. guest speakers or visiting dignitaries), there’s nothing quite like addressing an audience against that harbour view, and many remember it as a stand-out venue. For audiences, HMSC is special because it combines stadium-like energy with a laid-back beach vibe – it’s easy to feel part of something buzzing, yet still watch a sunset across the water.
Visitor Tips and Information
- Accessibility: The centre is wheelchair-friendly throughout (ramps, lifts and wide doors to all public spaces). There are accessible toilets and a dedicated drop-off parking spot near the entrance. Clubs like Sailability (adaptive sailing) operate here, underscoring the inclusive design. If you have special needs, staff on site can assist – just ask at reception.
- What to Bring: For summer/sports events, bring sun protection (hat, sunscreen) and a water bottle. Togs/swimming gear are useful if you plan to hit the bay or rent kayaks. If a race or DJ party is on the lawn, portable camp chairs or picnic rugs are handy. For business or evening events, smart-casual attire is fine. There’s no strict dress code – but remember it can get chilly on the deck at night, so an extra layer is advised. Sunglasses also help inside (the glare off the water can be bright).
- Common Mistakes: Don’t underestimate travel time – Tāmaki Drive can back up on summer weekends. Plan to arrive 15–20 minutes before big events for parking. Also, rainy days can mean cancelled or delayed outdoor races, so be aware of weather updates. In an event, don’t wander onto the jetty or water unless invited by officials – stick to the designated spectator areas. And because it’s on the ocean, mosquitoes can be an issue at dusk if it’s calm; bringing bug spray for beach events is smart.
- Age Restrictions: The venue itself is all-ages, but some functions (e.g. alcohol-serving parties or youth-focused sports trainings) may have age limits. Always check event details. Otherwise children are welcome – there’s a playground adjacent to the building. (Parents note: dogs are generally not allowed on the grass area or inside, except for service animals.)
- Bag and Photography Policies: Bags may be subject to search at large events. Photography for personal use is fine – many people snap pics with the harbour in the background. Pro or large media equipment should be cleared in advance with the event organiser. Drones are prohibited without special permission (due to the busy harbour).
- WiFi and Connectivity: Free public Wi-Fi is usually only active in conference rooms. Cell coverage is reliable outside or on the deck; inside you may get a slightly weaker signal in some corners. (If doing work, note the centre provides in-house WiFi for meetings (acb.aucklandnz.com).)
- Cancellation Policy: Indoor event spaces are booked in advance, so if a public event is cancelled (say due to weather), organisers will usually announce it on their website or social media well ahead. There is no fixed refund office – any ticket refund would be handled by the event promoter (not the centre itself).
- Local Traditions: Keep an eye out for local customs – during sailing races you might hear a conch shell horn, and at Māori cultural events there may be karakia (prayers) before a race. It’s all part of the waterfront vibe here. Also, lively weekend mornings often have the harbour’s traditional waka/canoe paddling practice just off the beach – it’s free to watch and very Kiwi.
- Emergency Facilities: There are life rings and first-aid kits on the waterfront terrace (lifeguards or chaperones supervise water activities). Auckland Rescue launches sometimes patrol the harbour in case of incidents. If you have an emergency, staff will direct you to the closest clinic or hospital in West Auckland (about 15 min away).
- Arrival Tip: If driving, take the Areazone eastbound and turn carefully into the centre’s entrance (it’s clearly signposted “Marine Sports Centre”). If coming by bike, secure your bicycle at the racks near the door – there’s usually space. And if you see yachts launching, consider getting a kayak ride too! The Akarana Trust often has beginner rowing lessons next door.
