We use cookies to help us understand how you use our site, and make your experience better. To find out more read our privacy policy.
Play

00:00

/

00:00

Full screen
Video quality

Low 0 MB

High 0 MB

HD 0 MB

Captions
Volume
Volume
Hero image for Sailing Away

In this video billowing sails and an impressive array of mid-80s celebrities (musicians, broadcasters, sportspeople) raise their voices in patriotic fervour, to rally support for the first Kiwi challenge for the America’s Cup: “in a boat just called New Zealand”. The bid failed, but ‘Sailing Away’ set a record for the most consecutive weeks at number one by a NZ artist (nine), until the arrival of Smashproof’s ‘Brother’ in 2009. The tune — borrowed from ‘Pokarekare Ana’ — remains both as a reminder of simpler times in the America’s Cup, and an era of questionable haircuts.

If you liked this, you might also like...

Thumbnail image for All of Us
Artist

All of Us

In 1986 New Zealand...

Collection
Collection image for Songs of Westside

Songs of Westside

A parade of classic Kiwi songs, from the series that goes...

Collection
Collection image for The Sir Dave Dobbyn Collection

The Sir Dave Dobbyn Collection

A collection celebrating the work of legendary musician...

Collection
Collection image for The Sailing Collection

The Sailing Collection

Take the trip: NZ On Screen's Sailing Collection offers...

Thumbnail image for Billy T James America's Cup Challenge

Billy T James America's Cup Challenge

More Cup promotion

Thumbnail image for Holmes - Dennis Conner Interview (First Episode)

Holmes - Dennis Conner Interview (First Episode)

The darker side of the America’s Cup

Thumbnail image for Pōkarekare Ana - A Māori Love Song

Pōkarekare Ana - A Māori Love Song

Documentary on 'Pōkarekare Ana'

Thumbnail image for Loyal

Loyal

This song became the next Team NZ anthem

Thumbnail image for You Make the Whole World Smile

You Make the Whole World Smile

Another celebrity heavy music video

Thumbnail image for Brother

Brother

Another long term chart topper

Thumbnail image for Gloss - First Episode

Gloss - First Episode

More 80s haircuts

Thumbnail image for Not Given Lightly

Not Given Lightly

Another Kiwi celeb heavy music video

Thumbnail image for Today Tonight - Kiss

Today Tonight - Kiss

More of Roger Gascoigne

Thumbnail image for Nuclear Waste

Nuclear Waste

More Herbs

Thumbnail image for Outlook for Thursday

Outlook for Thursday

More DD Smash

Thumbnail image for Join Together - performed by Steve Allen

Join Together - performed by Steve Allen

Another hit song from a sporting event

Thumbnail image for Captain's Log - Episode Two

Captain's Log - Episode Two

More sailing away

Thumbnail image for Spindrift

Spindrift

1968 documentary on Auckland sailing

Thumbnail image for I Got 2 Babe

I Got 2 Babe

Kiwi singing celebs from 2000

Thumbnail image for The Ray Woolf Show - Christmas Special

The Ray Woolf Show - Christmas Special

More of Ray Woolf

Thumbnail image for Penny Lane - performed by Ray Woolf

Penny Lane - performed by Ray Woolf

Ray Woolf features in the ensemble

Thumbnail image for Black Magic - The Team New Zealand Story

Black Magic - The Team New Zealand Story

Documentary about New Zealand's first America's Cup victory

Thumbnail image for Sporting Life - Yacht Designer Olin Stephens

Sporting Life - Yacht Designer Olin Stephens

Sailing in the 1970s

Thumbnail image for Assignment - The America's Cup

Assignment - The America's Cup

Story of the fall out between Russell Coutts and Team NZ

Thumbnail image for Keeling Over

Keeling Over

Documentary about a three-day yacht race

Thumbnail image for A Consuming Passion - An Unofficial History of the America's Cup

A Consuming Passion - An Unofficial History of the America's Cup

Documentary on the history of the America's Cup

Thumbnail image for This is the Moment

This is the Moment

Musical anthem for the 1990 Commonwealth Games

Thumbnail image for 3 Men and a Boat

3 Men and a Boat

Documentary about a later America's Cup challenge

Thumbnail image for Stay

Stay

Musical collaboration for Kiwi lockdown

Thumbnail image for Heading for the Top (1982 All Whites Campaign Song)

Heading for the Top (1982 All Whites Campaign Song)

Ray Woolf sings the 1982 All Whites anthem

Thumbnail image for Rocked the Nation - Pōkarekare Ana performed by Wing

Rocked the Nation - Pōkarekare Ana performed by Wing

Another interpretation of the tune

Thumbnail image for The Pinkies are Back

The Pinkies are Back

More about racing on the water