This article, ‘Nina and Tony Kiff: The visionaries behind the Bay of Islands Sailing Week‘, is the first of a series of five articles that tell the story of the Bay of Islands Sailing Week.
Born to sail
Nina and Tony Kiff aren’t ordinary sailors—they are adventurers at heart. Both were introduced to the water at a young age where they grew up in England, fostering a love for sailing that would shape their lives. Nina began dinghy sailing in Wayfarers in the early 1970s and soon found herself drawn to longer adventures. In 1974, she joined her great-uncle, Humphrey Barton who founded the Ocean Cruising Club, and his wife Mary aboard the Rose Rambler for six weeks of cruising in the West Indies, an experience that solidified her love for the open sea.
Tony, too, was drawn to the sea’s call, and he became a technical assistant for Camper & Nicholsons, one of the oldest and most prestigious yacht builders and brokerage firms in the world, with a legacy dating back to the late 18th century. Based in the United Kingdom, Camper & Nicholsons has been at the forefront of luxury yacht design, construction, and management, playing a pivotal role in shaping the modern yachting industry.
Their love of sailing drew them to each other, and together they imagined a life of sea adventure. That dream materialised in Wetherley, their beloved Nicholson 45, a classic sailing yacht crafted in 1972 by Camper & Nicholsons. Built for endurance and elegance, Wetherley became more than a vessel—it was their home and a symbol of their adventurous spirit.
A family voyage across the world
In August 1991, Nina and Tony set sail from England with their four children, aged six to twelve. Their goal? To traverse oceans, explore the world, and eventually arrive in New Zealand. Over 16 months, they charted a course that took them through some of the most remote and beautiful places on Earth.
Leaving Fareham, Hampshire, in August 1991, they joined the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, crossing the Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean. By late March 1992, they transited the Panama Canal, marking the start of their longest and most challenging passage: from Panama to the Marquesas Islands—a rugged and isolated paradise where they lingered to immerse themselves in the local culture⏤more than 4,000 nautical miles across the Pacific Ocean.
In the early 1990s, navigation technology was in its infancy. While early GPS systems existed, the Kiffs relied heavily on paper charts—a detail that exemplifies their old-school approach to exploration. Their charts, often spread across the top bunk, allowed them to visualise entire passage legs at a glance, fostering a connection to the journey that modern digital charts can’t replicate.
From Panama to the Marquesas
This leg of the journey, from Panama to the Marquesas islands, was both daunting and exhilarating. Nina recalls, “If anyone had told me before leaving Panama that it would be a six-week passage, my heart would have sunk. The prospect of such a long time at sea with four children—Sarah (13), Richard (11), Rebecca (10), and Tom (6)—would have seemed overwhelming.”
The family meticulously prepared for the journey, stocking Wetherley with essentials: give-or-take 82kg of flour, 11kg of rice, tins of vegetables, 23kg of dried milk, sacks of oranges, grapefruit, potatoes, onions, and more. They even scrubbed and checked all provisions to avoid bringing cockroaches aboard.
Once out of sight of land, life settled into a steady rhythm. Nights were divided into four watch shifts, with Sarah and Richard taking turns on the early and late watches, while Nina and Tony managed the middle shifts. Hot chocolate and Streusel bars (this is a gooey muesli bar which they made on the passage) sweetened the children’s duties, and personal stereos provided a soundtrack to their quiet hours under the stars.
Schooling continued on board, with lessons in math, English, geography, and science. The Pacific became their classroom: the children dissected fish, studied sea creatures, and documented their findings in drawings and journals.
The journey wasn’t without its trials. Several nights, the family took down the sails, put on the anchor light, and drifted as the wind abandoned them. Limited to 100 gallons (455 litres) of diesel, they reserved fuel for charging batteries and running the desalinator.
Despite these challenges, there were moments of sheer joy. Rain showers turned into impromptu games, with the children using straws to blow water at each other while dressed in oilskins. The yacht’s sail doubled as a rain catcher, filling pots and pans with fresh water.
The family celebrated birthdays and milestones along the way. Although they crossed the Equator at night, Rebecca humorously noted, “I was the first one to cross the Equator because I stayed in bed and was further forward.”
After 41 days at sea, the rugged beauty of the Marquesas Islands came into view. The Kiffs hove-to for the night, waiting for daylight to enter the harbour at Hiva Oa. Nina described the arrival as bittersweet: “The Marquesas are wild, rugged, sparsely populated, and have few lights. Our last night at sea was the longest and most uncomfortable of the trip, but stepping ashore the next morning made it all worthwhile.”
Finding home in New Zealand
From the Marquesas, the family sailed to Tonga and then to New Zealand, arriving in Opua in November 1992. They fell in love with the Kiwi lifestyle and decided to stay. Tony found a love of cabinetmaking and together, with Nina, he started their own kitchen and cabinet-making business in Opua. Nina became deeply involved in the local sailing community, eventually serving as Port Officer for the Ocean Cruising Club in Opua, which she has done for over 20 years. Nina’s dedication earned her the OCC’s Port Officer Service Award in 2016, recognising her tireless efforts to support visiting sailors.
In the early 2022 Nina and Tony were both recognised at the Yachting New Zealand Excellence Awards for their tireless efforts as Sailing Week committee members and volunteers.
Visionaries and pioneers
What sets Nina and Tony apart isn’t just their adventurous spirit—it’s their ability to dream big while staying grounded in the practicalities of making those dreams a reality. As they settled in New Zealand, they became integral to the local sailing scene, fostering a sense of community that resonates with sailors from around the world.
Their story also speaks to the enduring appeal of sailing before the age of pervasive technology. By navigating with paper charts and living without constant digital connection, they exemplified a timeless, purposeful way of life. Their journey is a reminder of the joy found in slowing down, embracing challenges, and connecting deeply with the world around us.
Inspiring the next generation
Nina and Tony Kiff are more than sailors—they are pioneers, community builders, and visionaries who have left an indelible mark on New Zealand’s sailing culture. Their journey from England to Opua, their contributions to the sailing community, and their enduring sense of adventure remind us all of the magic that comes from following your dreams.
For those who aspire to explore the seas, embrace challenges, or simply live with purpose, the Kiffs’ story is a beacon. It’s a call to action: take the leap, set sail, and discover the world waiting beyond the horizon.
Revisit Bay Watch
Read Boating New Zealand’s 2019 article, Bay Watch, which tells the story of how Wetherley⏤the Kiff’s classic Nicholson 45⏤cruised through the regatta with the Kiff family crew at the helm.
