Editor’s note: deeper water for the larger boat
As someone who’s often sailed south from Auckland, from the city, Gulf Harbour, or even Great Barrier, I’ve long wanted to stop in at Whitianga. Yet for anyone with a yacht drawing more than two metres, that’s always been easier said than done. My own 15-metre yacht draws 2.6 metres, which has meant anchoring in the harbour rather than confidently berthing at the public marina.
That’s why this new development immediately caught my attention. Mariners Quarters will offer a three-metre canal depth, finally allowing larger cruising yachts — up to around 20 metres — to navigate in comfortably and secure alongside. It’s a game-changer for deeper-draft boats visiting the Coromandel coast.
A new chapter for Whitianga Waterways
The Coromandel has always been a place of freedom: long days, warm tides, and boats at every jetty. This summer that spirit takes a new turn as Hopper Developments unveils Mariners Quarters, a marine precinct set to redefine how Kiwis live, invest, and play by the sea.
Located within Whitianga Waterways, the project introduces something entirely new to New Zealand, a freehold marina-ownership model that gives boaties the chance to own not just a berth, but a genuine piece of the waterfront.
Instead of leasing space from a marina operator, each owner will hold a private berth paired with a freehold waterfront lot, ranging between 172 m² and 197 m². For the first time, that means a berth you can truly call your own, complete with the security and capital value of land ownership.
Owning your berth — and your base
Mariners Quarters isn’t simply a mooring facility. Owners can build a marina-apartment-style dwelling on their lot, creating a land base for storage, overnight stays, or weekend retreats. Step out the door and your vessel is right there — ready to cast off at dawn or tie up after a sunset cruise.
For many New Zealanders, that’s the ultimate dream: your boat at your doorstep, with the convenience of home and the freedom of open water combined.
More than a marina
Hopper Developments has long shaped coastal communities across the Coromandel, and Mariners Quarters continues that vision. Plans call for the area to evolve into a vibrant marine precinct, complete with boutique marine-related retail, brokerage, chandlery, bait and tackle, and a general store for provisioning.
It’s designed as a one-stop destination for Whitianga’s boating community — a place where locals and visiting skippers alike can refuel, restock, and connect.
A new model for marine investment
Stage One of the project is already resource-consented and includes 28 exclusive berths and freehold lots. Interest is strong among boat owners and lifestyle investors who recognise the rarity of owning freehold marina land in New Zealand.
To mark the launch, Hopper Developments will host a Pre-Sale Auction on 6 December 2025, onsite at Whitianga Waterways.
As the developers put it: “Why lease when you can own?” Mariners Quarters challenges traditional thinking about marina access — offering both lifestyle and legacy for generations to come.
Legacy on the water
For Whitianga, this development is more than a new set of pontoons; it’s the next evolution of the region’s boating identity. It blends the reliability of home ownership with the spontaneity of life on the water — and it’s happening in one of New Zealand’s most loved coastal destinations.
To learn more or register interest, click through here.
