Winners of New Zealand’s first Marina of the Year awards

Winners of the first ever NZMOA Marina of the Year awards programme have been celebrated by New Zealand’s marina and boatyard industry..

Organised by the New Zealand Marina Operators Association, the awards were established to recognise and celebrate excellent practice in the marinas industry.

The title of NZMOA Marina of the Year 2018 was awarded to Westhaven Marina. As New Zealand’s biggest marina, Westhaven Marina has enjoyed the ability to undertake significant developments on and off the water. Judges commended Westhaven for its consistently excellent customer satisfaction levels results, its focus on staff training, including a marina cadetship programme, and its long term environmental focus.

Tutukaka Marina’s Seabin Project received the NZMOA Best Environmental Initiative Award. Working with the local community to fundraise for a Seabin, Tutukaka will not only aid in the direct removal of debris but also inspires further study of the types and quantities of pollution that is collected within the marina basin. Judges said that with the Seabin Project Tutukaka Marina has staked its position as a marina that is willing to go to the extra mile to care for our environment.

The 2018 Outstanding Individual Contribution Award was presented to NZMOA’s incumbent chair, and general manager of Far North Holdings, Chris Galbraith. Chris received this award for his continuous endeavours to advance marina management, his proactive and considered approach on behalf of both marinas in Northland, and NZMOA.

Chris received a trophy hand made by Brent Shipman of Total Marine Services. The trophy was created in honour of the late Graham Ade, and his decades long contribution to the marinas industry in New Zealand and Australia. It will be presented to future recipients of the Outstanding Individual Contribution Award as a piece of marina industry history.

The programme was sponsored by Total Marine Services, Allied Fastenings, Marsh Insurance Brokers, and Bellingham Marine.

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