Half Moon Bay Marina in Auckland has been named New Zealand’s Marina of the Year for 2024. The boatyard at Bay of Islands Marina was awarded Boatyard of the Year, while Waiheke Marina and Heron Construction Company each took top honours for innovation. Tom Warren received recognition for his long-term contribution to the industry.
Organised by the New Zealand Marina Operators Association, these awards were established in 2018 to recognise and celebrate excellence in the marina industry.
Regarding Half Moon Bay Marina, judges noted that the recently expanded facility, which now hosts 580 boats and employs 22 staff, has achieved full maturity, realising its potential while addressing rising boating costs and delivering operational excellence across the board.
The boatyard at Bay of Islands Marina was praised for its crucial role in Northland’s economy, maritime community, and for recent positive developments, alongside a distinct team culture.
Waiheke Marina, New Zealand’s newest marina, received one of two Outstanding Initiative Awards for its construction, which was achieved without causing permanent changes to the seabed or coastal currents. The marina developers teamed up with SF Floats and Whangārei’s Heron Construction to create 2,100 square meters of floating pontoons, each 20 x 5 meters, built in Whangārei and towed to Auckland. These pontoons now support its carpark and marina complex. Heron Construction Company was also awarded an Outstanding Initiative Award for building the world’s largest marina attenuator and New Zealand’s largest floating pods. Judges noted that this development allows the marina industry to create essential infrastructure for maritime businesses, employment, and recreation with minimal environmental impact and without reclaiming sea space.
Tom Warren received the Graham Ade Memorial Trophy for his 30-year contribution to the industry, having worked across several prominent marinas and played a leading role in industry governance and training.
Winners were announced at a formal celebration dinner held as part of the New Zealand Marinas and Boatyard Conference at Parliament House in Wellington on Wednesday, 11 September.
Five independent judges, alongside a team of industry experts, judged the programme, including Margaret Wind, Rebecca Hayter, Garry Lock, Matthew Woodley, and Brian Joliffe.
The NZMOA Awards were sponsored by NZMOA’s family of sponsors, including Dixon Stainless, Heron Construction Company, Gallagher Insurance NZ, GOfuel, and Bellingham Marine.
Full list of recipients:
NZMOA Marina of the Year
Winner:
Half Moon Bay Marina
Highly Commended:
Waikawa Marina
Finalists:
Queenstown Marina
Tauranga Bridge Marina
NZMOA Boatyard of the Year
Winner:
Bay of Islands Marina
Highly Commended:
Half Moon Bay Marina
NZMOA Best Initiative – Marina and Boatyard Members
Winner:
Waiheke Marina’s floating marina complex and carpark – a New Zealand first
Highly Commended for Digital Innovation:
Marlborough Sounds Marina’s All Aboard – Marina Customers Digital Onboarding
Highly Commended for Community Engagement:
Whangārei Maritime Festival
Finalist:
Port Nikau – for connecting Whangārei’s marine industry to the superyacht market
NZMOA Best Initiative – Associate Members
Highly Commended:
Products from Dixon Manufacturing to improve safety in marinas
Winner:
Heron Construction for Waiheke Marina’s floating structures: a new frontier for environmentally sensitive marinas
NZMOA Individual Contribution to the Community
Tom Warren
Independent Guest Judges:
- Brian Jolliffe: A retired public company CEO with a lifelong passion for boats. In the 1990s, he chaired the Mana Marina Trust, overseeing the completion of the marina’s final stages. He and his wife have since sailed the world, experiencing numerous overseas marinas and visiting nearly every marina in New Zealand.
- Rebecca Hayter: A multiple award-winning writer passionate about sailing, with extensive knowledge of the local and global boating industries.
- Garry Lock: A boat owner, marine berth holder, and regular user of haul-out facilities. Former president of NZ Marine and Chair of the Boat Builders and Refit Group. Director of G J Lock Consulting and former Managing Director of Harken New Zealand.
- Matthew Woodley: An experienced sailor, marketer, and business leader with extensive experience in export marketing, including textiles, construction equipment, and software. Currently CEO of Donovan Group.
- Margaret Wind: Publisher and Editor of Skipper Magazine and Executive Director of the New Zealand Marine Transport Association. Margaret is an advocate for seafarers, commercial vessel operators, and marine business owners across New Zealand. She is dedicated to guiding New Zealand’s maritime sector towards a prosperous future.
