Opening marks growth in New Zealand maritime intelligence capability
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has formally opened the new Wellington headquarters of Starboard Maritime Intelligence, marking the company’s continued expansion and its growing role in maritime monitoring and security.
The opening was attended by senior representatives from government, defence, and industry, including Associate Minister of Defence Chris Penk, Minister for Customs Casey Costello, Associate Minister of Transport James Meager, and Wellington Mayor Andrew Little.
In remarks at the opening, Luxon referenced the importance of maritime awareness for New Zealand, which has one of the world’s largest exclusive economic zones. He noted that systems capable of monitoring activity at sea are increasingly important for protecting infrastructure, fisheries, and trade routes.
From research initiative to operational platform
Starboard Maritime Intelligence was founded in 2019 and develops cloud-based maritime intelligence tools used by governments and infrastructure operators. Its platform integrates satellite data, sensor inputs, and contextual information to provide visibility of vessel activity and offshore operations in real time.
The technology is used to support maritime domain awareness in areas where physical surveillance is limited or impractical, including offshore and remote regions.
Wellington headquarters to support government collaboration
The new Wellington headquarters will serve as an operational base and collaboration centre with government agencies. The work carried out from the site includes monitoring illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, addressing transnational maritime crime, and supporting the protection of critical subsea infrastructure such as communication cables.
Chief executive Trent Fulcher said the opening reflected the company’s transition from an early-stage research initiative into an operational provider supporting government agencies internationally.
Fulcher said the company’s focus remains on improving access to timely information for decision-making in maritime environments where direct observation is limited.
International operations with a New Zealand base
Starboard operates in more than 30 countries and employs staff across New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Its systems are used by defence, intelligence, fisheries, and infrastructure agencies to monitor vessel movements and offshore activity.
The company’s growth has been supported by a mix of public and private investment, including early funding through the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment and a NZ$23 million Series A investment round completed in 2025.
Why it matters for maritime oversight
While Starboard’s work primarily supports government and commercial users, the systems it develops contribute to wider oversight of maritime activity in areas also used by recreational and commercial vessels.
The opening of Starboard’s Wellington headquarters reflects the increasing role of New Zealand-based technology firms in addressing maritime monitoring challenges at both a national and international level.
