The Auckland Dragon Boat Association (ADBA) has confirmed that the Liede Dragon Boat Team from Guangzhou, China, will take part in the 2026 Auckland Anniversary Day Dragon Boat Regatta on Monday 26 January at the Auckland Viaduct.
The visit will mark the first time the Guangzhou-based team has raced in Aotearoa, adding an international dimension to the Anniversary Day Regatta and creating a new connection between the two dragon boating communities.
Approximately 50 paddlers and supporters are expected to travel to Auckland. Their participation will make them one of the largest international delegations to compete at the regatta in recent years.
Auckland and Guangzhou have been sister cities since 1989, with long-standing connections across education, culture, tourism, business and government exchange. The relationship was highlighted again in late 2024 when Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown led a business delegation to Guangzhou to mark 35 years of partnership.
The Liede team comes from Liede Village in Tianhe District, a major commercial and innovation hub of Guangzhou, and is one of the city’s most well-known dragon boating communities. Their visit is a unique opportunity to strengthen cultural and sporting ties, celebrate shared heritage, and showcase dragon boating on an international stage.
ADBA Chair Holly Claeys says welcoming the Liede Dragon Boat Team is an exicting moment for the Anniversary Day Regatta and for dragon boating in Auckland.
“We’re pleased to be welcoming the Liede Dragon Boat Team to Auckland. Having an international crew join the Anniversary Day Regatta adds something special to the day and reflects the long-standing relationship between Auckland and Guangzhou. We see this as the beginning of a friendship that can grow over time.”
The introduction between the two dragon boat communities was supported by Wayne Huang (ι»δΌι), Founder and CEO of ShareBoating Ltd and Sailing Training Manager at Saint Kentigern College.
“Guangzhou is my hometown, so it’s meaningful to help bring the Liede team to Auckland,” he says. “They’re passionate paddlers and are looking forward to racing and connecting with the local dragon boating community. ShareBoating is also supporting the visit with a team of bilingual volunteers to help with local coordination and cultural engagement.”
The regatta will take place from 8.30am to 5pm on Monday 26 January 2026 at the Auckland Viaduct, with teams travelling from across the region and overseas. The event is part of Auckland’s larger Anniversary Day Regatta, one of the world’s largest single-day sailing celebrations, which also features waka ama, classic yachts, sailing dinghies, and vintage vessels.
With the support of Viaduct Holdings and the Auckland Dragon Boat Association, the day will showcase the strength of the dragon boating community and the friendships and connections formed through the sport.