December 2025 WATERLINE | 23 FEATURE NEW ZEALAND The recent NZMOA annual Marinas & Boatyard Conference was a sellout success as over 120 delegates from New Zealand and good representation from Australia converged on Queenstown. 38 speakers provided insightful content which included an economic update, recent investments in the local Queenstown Marina and watersports, marine tourism infrastructure updates and requirements, and some wonderful new innovations to help fight invasive marine pests. A number of project updates were presented which provided some great learning, including Pine Harbour’s re-cabling project, Tauranga Bridge Marina’s new Breakwater and the Okara Marina development in Whangarei. Other updates included Nelson Marina where the existing hardstand at the marina is being expanded to be more than double its current size and the existing travel lift is being replaced by a 110-tonne capacity Cimolai mobile boat hoist. Marina Manager Nigel Skeggs explained a significant investment in the importing of a fit-for-purpose wastewater treatment plant to service the new hardstand area and guarantee a superior level of water treatment. The second development, a new hardstand project adjacent the Calwell Slipway inside the Port of Nelson, where the land adjacent the existing 2,400 tonne capacity slipway was being redeveloped into a 6,500m2 hardstand to be serviced by a new 550 tonne capacity Cimolai Mobile Boat Hoist. Both developments are scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2026. Members also discussed two regionally significant new marina developments being proposed by industry developer Hopper Developments Ltd. One in the Bay of Islands, in a joint venture with another developer and one in the northern outskirts of Auckland. Both marina developments have elected to seek resource consents via the current government’s recently legislated Fast Track pathway. Conference delegates heard updates on the markets in Australia from MIA CEO, Suzanne Davies and on Southeast Asia THE LATEST HAPPENINGS IN NEW ZEALAND By Phil Wardale CMM, Secretary NZMOA from Poralu’s Ekrem Reyhancioglu. NZMOA supportive suppliers provided their product updates focussed on how innovation and new design were producing appealing results to marina and hardstand operators. Other topics of interest included the learnings from a recent fire at Tauranga Marina and the insurance ramifications, d’Albora’s approach to driving lifestyle at its marinas and a presentation on the future of electric boats from NAUT. Managers also discussed their continued focus on sustainability, with several celebrating their recent Clean Marina audits with the association celebrating a milestone in 2025 where over a third of all marinas across the country have achieved Clean Marina status with others signing the pledge to join the programme. The site tour to the new Queenstown Marina was the highlight of the conference. Delegates arrived at the Bellingham Marine built Queenstown Marina by Jetboat and were welcomed by owner Iraj Barabi and given a full overview of this wonderful project by Bellingham’s project manager Keith Hogan. SOLD OUT CONFERENCE IN QUEENSTOWN By Suzanne Davies, CEO Marina Industries Association In September I attended the ‘sell-out’ New Zealand Marina Operators Association (NZMOA) Conference in Queenstown. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, Queenstown provided the most spectacular backdrop to the conference which provided the 130 delegates with inspiring, thought-provoking and informative content. Highlights included local economist Tony Alexander who kept the audience informed and entertained; Brooke McRae from Commercial Dive Specialists demonstrated their breakthrough treatment for invasive species and their patented seabed survey device; the d’Albora team on how they are driving lifestyle and customer experience and a special presentation from Queenstown Marina owner, Iraj Barabi, and his determined journey to give Queenstown a marina and what led him to acquire a suite of other businesses in town. The highlight was the visit to the new Queenstown Marina (by Jetboat tender) where Keith Hogan from Bellingham Marine NZ provided a technical insight into the development of this telescopically piled marina and its curved concrete wave attenuator – read more on this on page 24. The marina continues the town’s unique theme, offering 197 marina berths 8-18 metres and 17 innovative, yet nostalgic floating sheds set in front of the picture-perfect mountain backdrop. They offer high-quality retail and food and beverage outlets where diners can sit lakeside on private patios and take in the snow-capped mountain views. A conference dinner provided relaxed networking opportunities, and we were entertained by a hilarious comedy magician who had us all in stitches. Important presentations were made at the dinner by Bruce Birtwistle CMP, GMI Board member and MIA VP to two new Certified Members who were presented with their certifications and pins – congratulations to David Marginet CMP and Mike Keown CMM. Having been to the last four NZMOA Conferences, it is unsurprising that it was a sell-out. Well done NZMOA! Nelson Marina has commenced the redevelopment of its hardstand, a key component of the Marina’s masterplan. Image Credit: Wardale Ltd Photo Credit: NZMOA
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