The proposed Waipiro Bay marina in the Bay of Islands, valued at more than $100 million, has been accepted into the Government's Fast-track Approvals process. The developers behind the proposal have yet to confirm they will push forward with it.
Azuma Property and Hopper Developments now have two years to lodge a full application for the 250-berth facility. As currently planned, the project would include a public boat ramp, fuelling and commercial services, and berthing capacity for up to 14 superyachts.
Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has pointed to the economic case for the development, citing estimates of between $177 million and $218 million in added GDP accumulated over a 30-year period. Most reporting on these figures does not account for that 30-year timeframe. The project is also credited with supporting 45 construction jobs across a two-year build period, a figure sometimes reported as 90 jobs. These positions are short-term in nature, with the number of long-term jobs created considerably smaller.
The proposal has drawn scrutiny from officials and iwi submitters, who have raised concerns including the environmental sensitivities of the Bay of Islands Marine Mammal Sanctuary, biosecurity risks associated with invasive caulerpa, and questions about whether actual demand warrants another marina given the capacity already available in the region.
Azuma Property and Hopper Developments have indicated they remain interested in the project but are continuing to assess whether to take the proposal any further.
Updated 19 September 2025 following discussions with representatives of the Russell Boating Club.
