Hello and Happy New Year!
The Rainbow Warrior is now in New Zealand waters. She’ll be sailing into Matauri Bay to visit the final resting place of the first Rainbow Warrior before heading down to Auckland for the first public open days this weekend on the 12th and 13th Jan. She’ll then head south for more public open days in Bluff, Stewart Island, Dunedin and Wellington.
There’s a special connection between the Rainbow Warrior and New Zealand. It's the first time the new Rainbow Warrior has visited New Zealand - but it feels like a homecoming.
People here have a unique relationship with the Warrior - it's a part of the New Zealand story just as much as New Zealand is a part of her story.
When the first Rainbow Warrior was bombed in Auckland, New Zealanders rallied in support and contributed generously towards its replacement. And then 22 years later, Kiwis once again donated generously to building the new Rainbow Warrior.
The new Rainbow Warrior will be in Auckland, Princes Wharf ready to meet you next weekend on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13, any time between 9am and 4pm. We’d love to give you a free tour and please bring friends and family - the more the merrier! (Please RSVP and invite friends on facebook to help get the word out.)
If you are planning on coming, see below information to help you plan your visit:
- If you have kids, it’s best to come along in the morning. Later on in the day we tend to get more visitors and it can get quite crowded, so you may need to queue
- Remember she’s a working ship so practical shoes are best to wear
- Access is via a gangway – unfortunately we don’t have the facilities for disabled access, although there will be information boards and campaign stalls on the wharf. Anyone coming on board will need to be able to walk up the gangway and climb up and down steep stairways
- Bring water and sunscreen - the weather forecast is great!
Oh and if you have a boat, we’d love it if you could come out and welcome the Warrior into Waitemata Harbour on Friday morning 11th Jan. If you're interested please email Billie at 
for details.