As expected, in a statement on their Facebook page the "Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta committee has taken the difficult decision to cancel the 183rd Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta.

With strong winds and heavy seas forecast, plus reports of substantial debris in the harbour from the rain, and emergency services already stretched dealing with the effects of the flooding, the safety of everyone is our number one concern.

The committee also feel strongly it would be inappropriate to hold a regatta while the city of Auckland is suffering as it is. 

As a regatta that has always been by and for the people of this city, we stand by those who have suffered loss or damage in this weather event, and our thoughts go out to you all."

So what is the Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta all about?

According to the history books, the first regatta was held the day the city was founded in September 1840 by Lieutenant-Governor William Hobson. 

It was an impromptu three-race event on the now Waitemata Harbour after Hobson rowed ashore from the barque Anna Watson and took formal possession of the site in the name of Queen Victoria.

A report in The New Zealand Advertiser and Bay of Islands Gazette of 24 September 1840 states the official party rowed back to Anna Watson. 

After lunch, a regatta took place between a five-oared gig belonging to the Surveyor-General Felton Mathew and a six-oared gig belonging to Anna Watson, both pulled excellent style by amateurs. 

This was followed by a match for a purse of five pounds between two whale boats pulled by sailors, and by another between two large canoes paddled by locals. 

This was the first regatta held in Auckland - 11 years before first America's Cup contest was sailed in 1851.

In 1842, there were two official regattas, one to commemorate Irish-born Hobson's arrival in Auckland in September and the second to honour St Patrick on March 17th. 

The date was shifted from September to 29 January. 

In the good ol’ days, holding a regatta was not easy - boats were in such short supply that any vessel arriving in the harbour with a long boat was pestered to sell it!

For the next few years, horse races were held at Epsom on 29 January but in 1850 another sailing regatta was held. 

The Auckland Regatta has been held every year since, except for 1900, when it was cancelled due to the South African War.

Auckland’s history is linked to the sea and this year it was expected to be celebrating its 183rd regatta.