Daring Rescue

06/05/2026

We will soon be formally launching the full documentary. Watch this space!

for one hundred and fifty three years the schooner Daring was hidden under the sands on a wild, windswept beach in New Zealand. This is the story of her resc...

13/04/2026

🌊 A Winter Update from the Daring 🚢
Greetings to all our maritime enthusiasts and local supporters!

As the crisp air of winter settles over Mangawhai, we are adjusting our sails. To ensure our dedicated volunteers stay warm and our preservation efforts continue smoothly during the cooler months, we are updating our public viewing hours.

The Mangawhai Daring Trust invites you to explore this incredible piece of New Zealand’s seafaring soul during our new winter schedule:

📍 Winter Visiting Hours
Friday – Monday: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Tuesday – Thursday: Closed (Open by appointment)

Why Visit This Winter?
The Daring is more than just timber and iron; she is a miracle of preservation. Built right here in Mangawhai in 1863, she spent over 150 years hidden beneath the sands of Muriwai Beach after a fierce storm in 1865. Her reappearance in 2018 was a once-in-a-lifetime gift to New Zealand’s heritage.

Seeing her up close offers a rare window into the 19th-century craftsmanship that connected our coastal communities. Whether you are a history buff, a student of naval architecture, or simply looking for a unique weekend outing, the Daring never fails to inspire.

Can’t make it during our standard hours? We love hosting groups and curious minds! Please reach out to us via messenger or through our website to book a private appointment.

Stay warm, and we look forward to sharing the stories of the Daring with you soon!

Learn more about our journey: www.daring.org.nz

17/03/2026

A hugely successful Auckland Wooden Boat Festival last weekend where our volunteers were able to meet up with a large number of visitors from all over the world, share the incredible story of the Daring and explain the plans for moving the Daring into a moisture and temperature controlled environment for her long-term protection.
As the only surviving locally built coastal trading vessel of her era, visitors could appreciate her importance in supporting the educational programme we are developing to share stories of mid 1860's Aotearoa New Zealand as seen from the decks of the Daring.

he 2026 Auckland Wooden Boat Festival took place from 13–15 March at the Viaduct Events Centre, Jellicoe Harbour, New Zealand Maritime Museum, and the histor...

14/03/2026

Plenty to do at the Daring stand at the Auckland Wooden Boat Festival. Kids and adults alike enjoy learning how trunnels have held the Daring together for almost 163 years. Come on down to the festival tomorrow at the viaduct events centre.

13/03/2026

Come see The Daring crew at the Auckland Wooden Boat Festival at the Viaduct Event Centre this weekend...
Find out how we are going and the support we need to get The Daring into a permanent home at the Mangawhai Discovery Centre

11/02/2026

There will be so much to see and do at the Auckland Wooden Boat Festival. Make sure you set aside some time to visit the Daring display to discover the story and learn what's been happening with 'the Daring' since her recovery from Te Oneone Rangatira (South Kaipara Heads)

Majestic A-class yachts with B-Class and K-Class beauties. Classic launches and old-school work boats, and a treasured restored scow. An Australian ‘Couta’ boat, a converted fishing trawler, cruising boats with stories to tell, and passage yachts that have been places that dreams are made of. Ic...

11/01/2026

The Daring story boards have been refreshed at the Daring Discovery Centre. Drop in to have a look and learn about her story when you're next in Mangawhai. https://www.daring.org.nz/visit-1

19/11/2025

A bit of a breakthrough at the Daring yesterday. Our ever-enthusiastic volunteers Peter and Tony have managed to get the windlass into pieces to clean up and reassemble in working order. This vessel is such a treasure.

29/08/2025

The Daring is one tough little ship when one looks at the desolate and rugged conditions, she survived at the Defence Force air weapons bombing range at te Oneone Rangatira.
Great that she could protect the local wildlife during these conditions.

27/08/2025

Fantastic to hear that another milestone has been met with The Kaipara District Council today unanimously approving the Project Agreement between the Mangawhai Museum & Historical Society Incorporated and the Mangawhai Daring Trust to establish the Daring Discovery Centre. Next steps resource and building consents which are underway also. Watch this space for the next announcement "Shovel Ready!!" when the next serious fund raising phase begins........