Please select your home edition
Edition
Leaderboard FD July August September 2023

New Zealand's top marinas and boatyards celebrated

by Wilde Media 1 Nov 2020 22:48 PST
Tony Sparks (left) and Mike Keown (right) of Gulf Harbour Marina with Bianca Cook (centre) of NZ Ocean Racing © NZMOA

The New Zealand Marina Operators Association (NZMOA) has recognised New Zealand’s very best marinas and boatyards for 2020.

Gulf Harbour Marina in Auckland has been named the NZMOA Marina of the Year.

Judges say that the marina, which is based a short drive north of Auckland, and the largest privately-owned marina in New Zealand, is a genuine credit to its management team.

“Gulf Harbour Marina has a diverse offering, well managed, and they make great use of what they have. Other private marinas could strive to emulate their model,” said the judging panel,

Westhaven Marina was also highly commended by judges for operating an 1,800 berth marina very successfully in a challenging environment. “There are a large number of projects underway at Westhaven that are very disruptive, and it’s remarkable what this team has achieved,” said the panel. “They have high levels of customer satisfaction and their team approach is a strength”

The boatyard at Whangamata Marina was named NZMOA Boatyard of the Year. The operation in the small holiday town of Whangamata is highly regarded within the industry, and run by a very well organised small team who show great attention to detail with regards to health and safety compliance and environmental impacts.

Whangamata Marina also received the NZMOA Best Environmental Performance Award. Its wastewater treatment system, a significant investment for a small, privately owned operation, is a demonstration of the operation’s long-term environmental commitment, as is its participation in the Clean Marinas programme.

Gisborne Inner Harbour Marina was also commended by judges in this category, who said that an impressive amount of work had been done towards improving environmental outcomes through this highly local 46 berth marina.

Westhaven Marina took the Outstanding Initiative Award for its Load’n’Go berth. A berth for commercial operators to load and unload passengers, the facility was praised as an example of a marina team thinking on its feet to plan ahead for the America’s Cup.

The Nylonut system, developed by Darcy Blackmore, was also acknowledged in this category by judges as a deceptively simple innovation that has the potential to benefit the wider marina industry both here and abroad.

The 2020 Outstanding Individual Contribution Award was presented to Kevin Lidgard. Kevin is currently General Manager of Marinas at Panuku Development Auckland. He is a long standing member of the marina and boatyard industry who collaborates for the good of the industry, shares knowledge, and contributes extensively.

Organised by the New Zealand Marina Operators Association, the awards were established to recognise and celebrate excellent practice in the marinas industry.

Four independent judges joined a team of industry experts to judge the programme:

Des Brennan: Des is a Chartered Fellow of the institute of Directors, and former CEO of Yachting NZ. During his career he has provided leadership to some of New Zealand’s foremost organisations. Des is also an experienced judge. He established TVNZ’s Marketing Awards and is currently on a judging panel of the New Zealander of the Year Awards.  

Lawrence Schaffler: Editor of Boating New Zealand magazine. If it floats, Lawrence has probably published something about it. He knows the New Zealand marine industry intimately.

Barry Thompson: Publishing Editor of Pacific Powerboat and a marine journalist for 49 years, with a deep understanding of industry dynamics.

Sara Kulins: Sara is deeply interested in improving environmental outcomes for the sea. She believes that marinas through their actions have the ability to lead by example. Until recently she lived aboard a vessel in Gulf Harbour. Sara is working towards a Masters in Marine Biology.

The NZMOA Awards were sponsored by Total Marine Services, Dixon Manufacturing, Heron Group Limited, Crombie Lockwood, and Bellingham Marine.

Related Articles

Young Sailors Invited to the 2025 Fireball Worlds
A special discounted entry fee for eligible youth participants for the event at Lake Garda Circolo Vela Arco and Fireball International are inviting young sailors from around the world to take part in the 2025 Fireball World Championship at spectacular Lake Garda, with a special discounted entry fee for eligible youth participants. Posted today at 8:02 am
Jazz Turner completes Project FEAR
Drama right to the end in her non-stop, solo, unassisted navigation of the British Isles Jazz Turner has completed Project FEAR, her non-stop, solo, unassisted navigation of the British Isles in her Albin 27 yacht. A flotilla of supporters met her in Seaford Bay, which grew and grew the closer they came to Brighton Marina. Posted today at 5:39 am
GKSS Match Cup Sweden & Nordea Women's Trophy D1
Sunday's storm winds cleared to deliver ideal conditions for the opening race day Sunday's storm winds cleared to deliver ideal conditions for the opening race day of the 2025 GKSS Match Cup Sweden and Nordea Women's Trophy, official championship stages of the World Match Racing Tour and Women's World Match Racing Tour. Posted today at 4:33 am
World Sailing announces split venues for LA28
The boards will be at Long Beach, with the dinghy events at the Port World Sailing has said it welcomes the confirmation of sailing venues for the Olympic Games LA28 the boards will be at Long Beach, with the dinghy events at the Port. Posted on 30 Jun
One thing. One big, very fast boat
One thing that opened the door, another made us enquire some more - 50 knots! Yes. It was one thing that opened the door, as it were. One thing that piqued the curiosity enough to go, ‘I'll take a look at that!' One thing that when you're trying to crack in excess of 50 knots... Posted on 30 Jun
NYYC International Women's Championship update
The first group of invited skippers have been announced Elite-level international women's keelboat competition will return to Newport, R.I., in late summer of 2026 when the New York Yacht Club hosts the inaugural International Women's Championship. Posted on 30 Jun
Luna shines bright in 2025 Morgan Cup Race
This was a truly international fleet with the majority of the teams from the UK and France The start of the Morgan Cup Race was a spectacular sight with over 100 boats beating to windward into the Western Solent for the fourth race of the Cowes Offshore Racing Series and the 11th race of the 2025 RORC Season's Points Championship. Posted on 30 Jun
Freestyle Pro Tour Paros day 1
Kicking off with a nuclear single elim The opening day of the Freestyle Pro Tour (FPT) Paros kicked off exactly as forecasted - nuclear winds from morning till late afternoon, accompanied by nonstop freestyle action. Posted on 30 Jun
New Zero Weight 2-in-1 Shorts from Henri-Lloyd
When the weather's hot, there's nothing better to keep you cool on or off the water When the weather's hot, there's nothing better than Henri-Lloyd's Zero Weight 2-in-1 shorts to keep you cool on or off the water. Posted on 30 Jun
2025 Tiedemann Regatta
Experience shines alongside the brightwork at the Nw York Yacht Club A century ago, R Class yachts were the sports cars of the yachting world, sleek and low to the ground, nimble in the corners and quick around the course, and, above all, demanding to drive. Posted on 30 Jun
PredictWind - Offshore App 728x90 BOTTOMZhik 2024 DecemberNorth Sails Loft 57 Podcast