The New Zealand Marina Operators Association has revealed the finalists for its 2026 awards, with winners to be named at the New Zealand Marina and Boatyard Conference in Tauranga on Thursday 24 September.
Known within the industry as something of an Oscars night for marinas and boatyards, the awards recognise performance, leadership and initiative across the sector. This year's finalists span the country and the scale of the industry, from an eight-berth superyacht facility in central Auckland to a busy boatyard in the Coromandel.
Four marinas are in the running for Marina of the Year. Silo Marina, a specialist facility in central Auckland catering to superyachts of up to 145 metres, is nominated alongside Gulf Harbour Marina, one of the region's largest established marina communities. Marsden Cove Marina, which sits at the entrance to Whangārei Harbour, and Whitianga Marina, recognised for its facilities, environmental work and service to Coromandel boaties and cruising visitors, round out the category.
The Boatyard of the Year finalists are Whitianga Marina, whose yard completes around 600 lifts a year, Marsden Cove Marina, singled out for progress in health and safety systems and boatyard waste management, Gulf Harbour Marina, for investment in equipment, systems and environmental initiatives, and Titan Marine Engineering, recognised for health and safety practice alongside apprentice development and ISO 14001 environmental certification. Gulf Harbour and Marsden Cove are finalists in both marina categories this year.
A third category, Outstanding Initiative, recognises projects that respond to a specific need or opportunity in the industry. The finalists are Commercial Dive Specialists' Rehabitat, a containment chamber developed to neutralise exotic Caulerpa, Westhaven Marina's Cadet Program, a structured pathway into a marina career, and Seaview Marina's Staff App, described as a deceptively simple tool for improving day-to-day operations.
NZMOA chair Chris Galbraith said the standard of this year's entries reflected the depth of expertise across the industry. "The finalists demonstrate the many ways marina and boatyard businesses contribute to New Zealand's marine sector. They are investing in their facilities, strengthening environmental and safety practices, supporting their customers and finding practical solutions to industry challenges," he said. "The awards provide an opportunity to recognise this work and share examples of excellence across the wider industry."
Entries were assessed by an independent judging panel against criteria including business performance, customer service, environmental management, health and safety, staff development, facility improvement and wider industry contribution.
The 2026 NZMOA Award winners will be announced at the New Zealand Marina and Boatyard Conference in Tauranga on 24 September.
