Boatyard of the Year finalists announced

Today we name four finalists in the Boatyard of the Year category of the NZMOA Awards.

The Boatyard of the Year Award recognises excellence in the operation and management of New Zealand’s boatyards. It looks beyond the facilities themselves to consider the systems, people and practices that underpin a well-run yard, including customer service, health and safety, environmental management, maintenance and investment in people and infrastructure.

We are pleased to announce the finalists for the 2026 NZMOA Boatyard of the Year Award.

The finalists are:

• Whitianga Marina

• Marsden Cove Marina

• Gulf Harbour Marina

• Titan Marine Engineering

This year’s Boatyard of the Year finalists demonstrate a strong commitment to high standards and continuous improvement. While each boatyard operates at a different scale and serves a different mix of customers, the judges found plenty to commend in the way they approach their work.

Learn more about the finalists:

Gulf Harbour Marina's Boatyard

One of the upper North Island’s largest marine service facilities, Gulf Harbour Marina’s boatyard pairs substantial lifting capacity with strong health and safety systems and ongoing investment in its infrastructure.

Gulf Harbour Marina’s boatyard is one of the largest marine service facilities in the upper North Island, with an 18,500-square-metre sealed hardstand and lifting capacity of up to 100 tonnes. Recent investment has included a new forklift and digger, upgrades to the travel lift, improved security systems and enhancements to the yard’s grounds, accessways and presentation.

The judges particularly noted the boatyard’s strong approach to health and safety. A real-time reporting app has encouraged high levels of staff engagement in safety, with more than 2,000 items captured, assessed and addressed during the past year. Contractor management is supported by a digital access system, including automated reminders when insurance documentation is due to expire. Staff training combines in-house competency assessments with industry-developed programmes.

Environmental initiatives include upgraded waste, recycling and oil-disposal facilities, closer collaboration with the yard’s waste contractor, and proactive maintenance of drainage and filtration systems. The marina also supports Forest & Bird’s Pest Free Hibiscus Coast programme through trapping and monitoring around the marina.

With a network of specialist marine businesses operating onsite, Gulf Harbour provides customers with access to a wide range of services in one location. Its future plans focus on renewing critical infrastructure, strengthening relationships with onsite contractors and creating a more coordinated customer experience.

Titan Marine Engineering

Titan Marine Engineering is an operation of impressive scale, distinguished by independently audited environmental systems, a strong safety culture and substantial investment in apprentices and Pacific maritime capability.

Titan Marine Engineering impressed NZMOA’s judges with the scale of its operation, its strong safety culture and its commitment to developing the marine industry’s future workforce. The New Zealand-owned Auckland shipyard employs more than 85 people and provides a full range of marine engineering, fabrication, machining, repair and refit services. Its slipway can accommodate vessels weighing up to 1,500 tonnes and measuring up to 65 metres.

The judges particularly recognised Titan’s independently audited ISO systems, including its environmental management framework, and the appointment of a dedicated health, safety, environment and quality advisor. A Speak Up culture encourages staff and contractors to raise concerns, while spill-response training, containment systems and a harbour protection boom help manage environmental risks.

Workforce development is another standout strength. Titan’s dedicated Apprentice Academy supports around 20 apprentices across marine engineering and fabrication trades, providing classroom learning, practical training, mentoring and pastoral care. The company also provides technical assistance to Pacific Island nations, helping improve vessel integrity and maritime safety. Titan demonstrated an operation investing substantially in its people, systems and the marine capability of New Zealand and the wider Pacific.

Marsden Cove Marina’s boatyard

Marsden Cove Marina’s boatyard combines significant capacity with a practical, people-focused approach, backed by a team committed to improving safety, environmental performance and customer service.

Marsden Cove Marina’s boatyard impressed the judges as a strong, detailed entry with clear evidence of progress and a practical vision for the future. Led by boatyard manager Remi Edwards, the three-hectare facility can accommodate around 70 vessels and haul boats weighing up to 80 tonnes, with an 11-metre beam and 3.3-metre draft.

The judges praised the yard’s regular cleaning regime and new purpose-built wet blasting, wet sanding and antifouling removal facility. Contaminated water is directed to trade waste, while sediment, sweepings and biofouling waste are contained and disposed of appropriately. The boatyard has also signed the Clean Marina pledge and is working towards certification.

Health and safety improvements include documented inductions and procedures, mandatory vacuum sanders, certified lifting equipment, vessel stand checks and a new evacuation system with eight call points. The team’s collaborative approach is helping to strengthen safety practices across staff, customers and contractors.

Customer care is equally important. The small team takes pride in providing friendly, practical service and resolving concerns personally. With plans to expand to around 110 hardstand spaces, attract more specialist marine businesses and investigate a 100-tonne trailer, Marsden Cove Marina’s boatyard demonstrated both strong current performance and considerable future potential.

Whitianga Marina 

Immaculately presented and diligently managed by Dave Munday, Whitianga Marina’s boatyard stood out for its exceptional attention to safety, environmental care and continuous improvement.

‘You could eat your dinner off the floor,’ said our judges about Whitianga Marina’s boatyard. 

Located just minutes from Whitianga’s town centre in the Coromandel Peninsula, the facility includes 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.

Safety is embedded throughout the operation. Equipment and slings are regularly certified, clear rules and hazard information are displayed, and conventional ladders have been replaced with stair units featuring steps and handrails. Bluetooth headsets also support clear communication between the travel lift operator, spotter and marina office.

Environmental controls include a closed-loop drainage and settling system, stormwater filters, laboratory discharge testing, weekly sweeping, waste oil collection, extensive recycling and a ban on sandblasting. Detailed maintenance schedules, an upgrade to digital load cells and monthly performance reporting demonstrate open, proactive management. With a three-year improvement plan and proposals for wider cradles and additional covered work bays, the boatyard continues to invest in safer, more efficient services for a changing fleet.

These are all things that you expect from any good operation, but at Whitianga they are delivered with precision and passion by a small team with its finger on the pulse. They clearly care about their customers, boats, and the local community and environment. 

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The NZMOA Awards include three categories: the Outstanding Initiative Award, the Boatyard of the Year Award, and the Marina of the Year Award. A special award is also made for Outstanding Individual Contribution. The Awards are run bi-annually and are judged by industry experts and expert guest judges.

The guest judges for 2026 across the categories are:

• Brian Jolliffe: A retired public company CEO in the finance sector with a lifelong passion for boats. In the 1990s, he chaired the Mana Marina Trust, overseeing the completion of that 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.

• Matthew Woodley: A CEO, experienced sailor, marketer, and business leader with extensive export experience, including automotive, textiles, construction technology, and software. Currently an independent Director of Hyundai NZ and Group General Manager at Stormwater360.

• Callum Gillespie: New Executive Director of NZ Marine and former CEO of Coastguard New Zealand. Callum brings extensive experience in maritime operations, organisational strategy, financial management and leading organisations through change.

Winners will be announced at the Awards Gala dinner in Tauranga, Thursday 24 September.