Auckland's waterfront played host last night to NZ Marine's annual Superyacht Welcome Function, marking the start of the summer cruising season with an evening that brought together captains, crew, and local marine industry professionals.
The gathering drew representatives from around 30 superyachts alongside staff from more than 50 New Zealand marine companies, spanning refit, maintenance, engineering, equipment supply, and support services. For a number of vessels it was their first season in New Zealand waters, while others had returned following earlier refit work or previous cruises through the region.
NZ Marine Executive Director Peter Busfield opened proceedings by welcoming visiting crews and thanking them for choosing New Zealand, while acknowledging the local companies whose support makes the event possible each year.
“This gathering reflects the value superyachts bring to our marine industry and the welcome New Zealand extends to visiting vessels,” Busfield said.
The function has become a key point of contact between visiting crews and the domestic marine industry. Captains and crew used the opportunity to meet the shipyards, contractors, and suppliers who might be working on their vessels throughout the season. Conversations ranged from comparing cruising plans to discussing upcoming maintenance requirements, with many taking the chance to consult local experts before heading north or south on their summer itineraries.
New Zealand's appeal as a base for cruising and refit work was also a theme of the evening. NZ Marine drew attention to several practical advantages that continue to attract superyachts to the country: a 21-month temporary import period, tax concessions on refit and repair work, and expanded marina and yard capacity across Auckland, Northland, and Tauranga. These conditions allow visiting yachts to carry out anything from routine maintenance to more substantial projects, with access to some of the finest cruising grounds in the Pacific.
Guests were pointed toward the 2025–2026 Destination & Cruising New Zealand Guide, available for download through the App Store and Google Play. The guide provides detailed regional cruising information alongside a directory of local marine services.
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NZ Marine also introduced a new three-page document summarising the rules and entry procedures for visiting yachts, designed to give captains and crew a clear overview of the arrival process.
