The awards recognise excellence across New Zealand’s marina and boatyard sector, including operational performance, customer service, environmental management, staff development and contribution to local communities.
Whitianga Marina was selected as Marina of the Year from four finalists: Gulf Harbour Marina, Marsden Cove Marina, Silo Marina and Whitianga Marina.
Guest judge Callum Gillespie, executive director of NZ Marine, said the diversity of the finalists made selecting a winner particularly challenging.
“We had to compare very different facilities, from a purpose-built superyacht marina in central Auckland to destination marinas serving regional communities,” Gillespie said.
“We chose Whitianga Marina because it is carefully managed, community-minded and operates consistently at a high standard. Its team has also recently completed two impressive projects, the new fuel dock and seawall.
“We felt Whitianga had a strong team culture and met the awards criterion of operating to its fullest potential.”
A certified Clean Marina, Whitianga Marina has 231 berths for vessels ranging from 10 to 24 metres. Its location places berth holders and visitors within walking distance of the town’s shops, cafés, restaurants and accommodation, while providing convenient access to Mercury Bay and the Mercury Islands.
Whitianga Marina also won Boatyard of the Year ahead of fellow finalists Gulf Harbour Marina, Marsden Cove Marina and Titan Marine Engineering.
The boatyard has 18 cradle stands, two enclosed work sheds and a meticulously maintained 35-tonne travel lift capable of handling vessels with beams of up to 5.1 metres. Judges were impressed by its efficient operation, environmental controls, presentation and consistently high standards.
Northland’s Marsden Cove Marina was Highly Commended in both categories. Silo Marina, a specialist eight-berth facility serving superyachts of up to 145 metres in central Auckland received a Specialist Distinction Award for its unique role to play in the city’s economy.
Marine biosecurity system wins Outstanding Initiative
Commercial Dive Specialists won the Outstanding Initiative Award for Rehabitat, a system developed to address one of New Zealand’s most difficult marine biosecurity challenges: invasive exotic caulerpa.
Created by Brook McRae and his team, Rehabitat uses a containment chamber placed over an affected area of seabed. A controlled treatment neutralises the caulerpa while containing the process and minimising disturbance to the surrounding environment.
The system has been developed through extensive prototyping and field trials and can be deployed in different sizes to respond to outbreaks at varying scales.
Commercial Dive Specialists has worked with government agencies, iwi, regional councils and research organisations to develop and trial the technology. While initially designed to treat exotic caulerpa, the system also has potential applications within marinas, helping operators locate and treat marine pest incursions quickly.
Judges also recognised two workforce and operational initiatives.
Seaview Marina developed an in-house staff app that brings safety, compliance and everyday marina operations together in one accessible platform. Created using existing subscription-based technology, the app demonstrated that a practical operational solution does not need to be expensive or complicated. Judges noted its simplicity, value to staff and potential to provide a blueprint for other marinas.
Westhaven Marina’s cadet programme was highly commended for helping develop the next generation of marina professionals. The programme combines formal study with practical experience and includes structured training, competency milestones and rotations across Auckland Council’s marinas. It provides participants with broad operational experience while creating a valuable entry pathway into the marina industry.
Brett Colby recognised for three decades of industry leadership
Brett Colby of Half Moon Bay Marina received the Outstanding Individual Contribution to the Industry Award, recognising more than three decades of service to New Zealand’s marina and boatyard sector.
Since beginning his marina career at Half Moon Bay Marina in October 1994, Colby has helped shape several important areas of marina operation.
He developed extensive expertise in assembling and commissioning Marine Travelifts and has helped build many of the machines operating across New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific.
Colby also helped transform travel lift operation from an informally learned skill into a structured professional discipline. He developed training manuals, competency assessments and supervised lift requirements covering safe operation, maintenance, vessel handling and sling placement.
He delivered two-day operator courses around New Zealand and has consistently made his knowledge and resources available to others in the industry.
Colby also played a central role in establishing the New Zealand Clean Marina Programme. He wrote its original material and promoted the programme well before environmental accreditation became an industry priority.
His work with councils and marina operators has helped improve stormwater filtration, reduce contaminants entering the water and prevent the spread of marine pests.
The Outstanding Individual Contribution Award recognises people whose commitment, expertise and generosity have made a lasting difference to New Zealand’s marina and boatyard industry.
