Aotearoa Ocean Racing (AOR) is charting a new course, and it’s not just about speed. The team has teamed up with KiwiFibre, a New Zealand company pioneering sustainable composites, signaling a clear intent: the next Ocean Race will be a testbed for clean marine tech as much as it is for sailing prowess.
At the heart of this partnership is harakeke, a plant deeply rooted in Māori culture, traditionally used for waka, rope, tools, and weaving. KiwiFibre is reimagining this natural fibre as a high-performance composite, boasting a strength-to-weight ratio that rivals traditional carbon fibre—without the environmental baggage.
Conrad Colman, co-founder and skipper of AOR, sees this blend of heritage and cutting-edge engineering as a perfect fit. “Offshore racing is the ultimate test bed for new materials,” Colman said. “By integrating KiwiFibre into our IMOCA, we can see how natural fibres respond to real pressure while staying connected to our maritime roots.”
The collaboration will see KiwiFibre’s regenerative composite introduced into selected non-structural parts of AOR’s IMOCA. These components will face the brutal conditions of offshore racing—heavy winds, slamming loads, long-term exposure, and constant vibration. If any environment can prove the mettle of a new composite, it’s this.
Ben Scales, CEO and co-founder of KiwiFibre, views the partnership as a pivotal moment for the company and the broader composite industry. “This partnership honours the materials used in traditional waka while proving that natural fibres can tackle today’s design challenges,” Scales said. “The marine sector faces environmental and health concerns around carbon fibre. Harakeke offers a credible way forward.”
Insights from the IMOCA’s offshore miles will feed directly back into KiwiFibre’s research, helping refine the material for future marine, industrial, and commercial applications. This synergy between racing and research could accelerate the adoption of sustainable composites across the industry.
With the 2027 Auckland stopover of The Ocean Race on the horizon, AOR and KiwiFibre are planning hands-on exhibits and live demonstrations at the Race Village in the Wynyard Quarter. Visitors will get a close look at how harakeke is processed, how KiwiFibre builds its composites, and how the material is integrated into the IMOCA.
Rowan Gyde, co-founder of AOR, emphasized the alignment with the team’s long-term ambitions. “We’re committed to systems and materials that perform at the highest level while lowering our environmental footprint. KiwiFibre fits that path, and Auckland in 2027 will be the ideal place to share what we’ve learned.”
What sets this partnership apart is its deep connection to Aotearoa’s cultural identity. Harakeke is more than a material; it’s a symbol of the country’s heritage. By weaving this natural fibre into the hull of a cutting-edge IMOCA, AOR and KiwiFibre are demonstrating that sustainable design and world-class performance are no longer competing goals but the new standard for Kiwi-led ocean racing.
AOR’s next Ocean Race campaign is already underway, and thanks to this partnership, it will carry a piece of home with it—one woven into the hull, grown from the land, and built for the toughest miles on earth. This is more than a race; it’s a testament to innovation, sustainability, and the enduring spirit of Aotearoa.