Record-breaking sailor Laura Dekker is looking forward to making a new life for herself in the City of Sails after arriving in Auckland this afternoon. 

Dekker made headlines around the world when she announced her plan to become the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe single-handed in 2009, aged 13.

After winning the right to set sail, she completed the journey earlier this year.

The New Zealand-born Dutch sailor, now 17, has taken a free berth at the Maritime Museum in exchange for giving a series of talks and presentations to schools and the public. 

While the exact details of her work were still being finalised, Dekker said she was glad to be in her new home.

She has applied to start university next year, where she hopes to take foundation studies at Unitec before beginning a course at the NZ Maritime School.

"I want to study and build up a life, which is a lot easier here than up in Whangarei - there are more opportunities down here."

Dekker said her sailing experience has taught her a few lessons she would like to share with other youngsters.

"If you really want to do something, then just go for it," she said.

"I just really wanted to sail, so I just went for it. I don't know how it is for other kids but some of them seem to be really inspired by my story - which is awesome, of course.."

She said while she will be living on her boat "Guppy", she has no plans for any big sailing adventures.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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