For retired New Zealand cruiser John Manning, the realisation dawned that he was getting to old for cruising when physically he could still do most things (despite being unfit and arthritic), but the mental strength required for offshore sailing had been largely lost. Now, John has time to recount some of the many adventures he has experienced both offshore and around New Zealand's coastline. In his latest essay for Noonsite, he recounts his experience sailing onboard a small yacht through one of NZ North Island's "most troublesome stretch of water".

A blue-water skipper in need of replacement wire rigging, whether for an urgent repair or a long-scheduled renewal, might find themselves a long way from rigging workshops, swaging presses or familiar chandlers. Being so remote from a profusion of wire types and terminations and the experts to fit them should not mean, however, that the rigging work cannot be undertaken. In this article, Jimmy Green Marine explains how combining swaged and DIY stainless wire terminations can turn a complex problem into a manageable one.

Planning your next port of call? Make it smoother from the start. For a limited time, when you sign up for Noonsite Premium Annual Membership, you’ll receive a FREE limited-edition Formalities Wallet (US$30 value). Designed by experienced cruisers, it keeps all your essential documents organised and ready. Coupled with Premium membership it means you can focus on the journey, not the paperwork.

In May 2026, New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industry published a new Import Health Standard for Cats and Dogs which includes significant changes to pre-export identification checks and to the tests and treatments required for import. While the new standard comes into effect on July 1, 2026, there will be a nine month period when dogs and cats can be imported under the 2021 and 2026 standards. Read all the details in this report.

Regular Noonsite contributor Luc Callebaut and his partner Jackie Lee have arrived in French Polynesia after making their way eastward from the Philippines. In this last video diary of their year long voyage, Luc covers their passage from Bora Bora to Tahiti and offers a recap of their voyage for anyone following in their wake.

It’s been a busy few months for World Cruising Club both ashore and out on the water, with the World ARC 2025 – 26 fleet completing their circumnavigation in Saint Lucia, the ARC Europe in full swing with the fleet on their way to Horta in the Azores and out in the Pacific, the World ARC 2026/27 fleet is currently sailing in two groups, visiting Niue and Tonga.

The Sine Saloum Delta in northern Senegal, just north of The Gambia, is a vast mangrove wetland with clean waters, low population, and a peaceful atmosphere. Nicola Barker, who explored this UNESCO World Heritage site in December 2025, strongly recommends the detour - even for just a couple of days on or near the Saloum River.

Forecasters with the USA's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are predicting a below-normal 2026 hurricane season for the Atlantic basin. NOAA’s National Weather Service outlook for this year's hurricane season, which officially runs from June 1 to November 30, predicts a 35% chance of a near-normal season, a 10% chance of an above-normal season and a 55% chance of a below-normal season.

Noonsite Regional Editor Megan continues her monthly Musings, covering cruising topics that are often overlooked, yet a major part of life on board. For the past 9 years, Megan and her family have called their Boreal 47 expedition monohull, SV Zephyros, home and in this latest installment, she continues her thoughts on why she continues to feel called to the cruising life as she discusses crew, community and the sailing bubble.