Blanche Cook

Blanche and husband Ian backed their instincts when, more than 30 years ago, they established Yachting Developments, forging it into one of the world’s most respected composite specialists and one of the last family-owned superyacht yards.

Blanche was an integral member of the Yachting Developments family. Owner, mentor, mother-figure and friend, her larger-than-life presence pervaded the entire yard. She was heavily involved in New Zealand’s marine community, serving as vice chairperson of the NZ Marine Export Group, supporting the yard’s busy apprenticeship scheme and providing her support to a wide range of yachting causes, particularly the rescue and restoration of numerous classic yachts.

She was particularly involved with the rescue and restoration of numerous classic yachts, including Ranger which was restored by the team at Yachting Developments and is now regularly raced around Auckland.