As part of its huge Sea City project the development of a new marine industry precinct is starting to make progress. The new precinct will be sited at the Wynward Quarter part of the harbour that has been a fuel depot area and currently includes a number of oil tanks. Colliers International, one of the companies involved in the new precinct comments that it will "put New Zealand into the top superyacht refit locations in the world earning an estimated NZ$200 million a year for New Zealand and creating up to 1,500 new jobs."

Some might say that New Zealand is already among the leading world yacht refit nations but the new precinct will enhance this position. The Wynward Quarter is close to the Viaduct Harbour area, the main superyacht location in Auckland and very close to the city centre. The 4 acre site will include some 400m (1,312ft) of berthing and the area will have the capability of handling yachts up to 80m (262ft) all of which will be focus on the superyacht refit market.

While this centre is designed to upgrade the facilities of Auckland, the potential is there for it to work with other active New Zealand refit sites, such as New Plymouth and Hobsonville, for handling trials and commissioning and stepping masts if required.

The Auckland City authorities also hope that this new precinct will address recent criticism of the city's superyacht facilities and the size of yacht it is able to accommodate. This situation has led to some superyachts being turned away because no space for them is available. The next few weeks will see an important test because the Auckland Boat Show is being held in March and the Louis Vuitton races are being held at the same time.


Superyacht Business / David Robinson, 24 February 2010