Rātapu / SUNDAY
8TH Feb
2026
Waterfront
8TH Feb
2026
Waterfront
Blessing
of The
Boats
A cherished Island Bay tradition, the Blessing of the Boats is a colourful and deeply moving ceremony that honours the bay’s long and enduring connection to the sea.
With its roots in Island Bay’s Italian fishing heritage, the blessing symbolises gratitude, protection, and hope, offering wishes of safe journeys and good fortune for all who work and spend time on the water.
Each year, locals and visitors gather along the shoreline to share in this unique coastal moment of reflection and celebration.
Each year, locals and visitors gather along the shoreline to share in this unique coastal moment of reflection and celebration.
A community of fishers of southern Italian origin has been based in Wellington's Island Bay since the late 19th century. This 1975 photo shows the ceremony of blessing the fishing fleet. In the foreground, Archbishop Delargey and several priests stand aboard the San Costanza.This 1975 photo shows the ceremony of blessing the fishing fleet
'Catholic community life: blessing the fishing boats, Island Bay'- Te Ara
'Catholic community life: blessing the fishing boats, Island Bay'- Te Ara
Faith, history, & community
The ceremony begins with the sounding of a pūtātara (traditional Māori conch shell) from the shore, its call carrying across the bay and answered by a lone piper out on the water — an evocative exchange that sets a powerful and respectful tone. Boats from across Wellington then take part in the Blessing tradition (often including well-known vessels such as Lady Liz, the Police launch).
The Catholic priest, positioned on a boat on the water, blesses each vessel with Holy Water as they pass by. Following the blessing, the boats circle Tapu te Ranga Island in a striking procession, flags flying proudly and horns sounding in tribute.
This remarkable display weaves together faith, history, and community, making the Blessing of the Boats a true festival highlight and a meaningful expression of Island Bay’s cultural heritage and coastal pride.
The Catholic priest, positioned on a boat on the water, blesses each vessel with Holy Water as they pass by. Following the blessing, the boats circle Tapu te Ranga Island in a striking procession, flags flying proudly and horns sounding in tribute.
This remarkable display weaves together faith, history, and community, making the Blessing of the Boats a true festival highlight and a meaningful expression of Island Bay’s cultural heritage and coastal pride.
The bay and the island that shelters it
Protected by the harshest seas the marine areas has been an abundant source of kai moana for a long time.
First used by local tangata whenua, the bay later became home to migrants from the Scottish Shetland Islands, skilled in fishing wild waters.
They were followed by Italian fishermen, many from Stromboli, Massa Lubrense on the Amalfi Coast, and the nearby island of Capri. The unfamiliar weather and fast-changing currents made fishing here challenging and, at times, dangerous.
The Blessing of the Boats is also a moment to remember lives lost at sea, including the tragic loss of the fishing boat Santina in 1933.At its peak in the 1950s and early 1960s, more than 30 commercial fishing launches were based in Island Bay.
From the 1980s, numbers declined as skippers retired or relocated to city wharves. Today, most boats fish recreationally, hauling crayfish pots and set lines outside the marine reserve.
With thanks to Island Bay Little Italy and the Wellington Southern Bays Historical Society for sharing these stories.
First used by local tangata whenua, the bay later became home to migrants from the Scottish Shetland Islands, skilled in fishing wild waters.
They were followed by Italian fishermen, many from Stromboli, Massa Lubrense on the Amalfi Coast, and the nearby island of Capri. The unfamiliar weather and fast-changing currents made fishing here challenging and, at times, dangerous.
The Blessing of the Boats is also a moment to remember lives lost at sea, including the tragic loss of the fishing boat Santina in 1933.At its peak in the 1950s and early 1960s, more than 30 commercial fishing launches were based in Island Bay.
From the 1980s, numbers declined as skippers retired or relocated to city wharves. Today, most boats fish recreationally, hauling crayfish pots and set lines outside the marine reserve.
With thanks to Island Bay Little Italy and the Wellington Southern Bays Historical Society for sharing these stories.
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