New Zealand superyacht season opens with record attendance in Auckland
The 2025 superyacht summer cruising season in New Zealand has begun, marked by the annual Superyacht Welcome Function in Auckland. The event, hosted by NZ Marine and Superyacht New Zealand, welcomed a record 250 owners, captains, and crew, representing nearly 40 of the 50 visiting superyachts currently in New Zealand.
The gathering featured networking opportunities, the chance to enjoy local wines, and shared knowledge about cruising and working in the region.
Peter Busfield, executive director of NZ Marine, remarked on the event’s significance, saying, “We’re thrilled to see such a robust turnout with the largest gathering of superyacht attendees in the southern hemisphere. We know that New Zealand’s popularity as a refit and cruising destination is going from strength to strength, and we couldn’t be more pleased to host greater numbers than ever at our annual superyacht welcoming event, which marks the start of our summer cruising season.”
Captain Gerhard of S/Y Aquijo commented on the quality of New Zealand’s facilities: “It’s great to be back. We’re demanding of shipyards and, having been in shipyards in the US and Europe, we’re very happy with the quality of work here, and the structuring and transparency of the work and invoicing is fantastic.”
Emirates Team New Zealand on the water in Auckland.
The event reflects the efforts of New Zealand’s marine industry to position the country as a premier destination for superyacht refits and cruising. Initiatives like the Destination & Cruising New Zealand guide, released during the America’s Cup, and the New Zealand Millennium Cup superyacht regatta, have played a role in this growth. Additionally, the country has increased capacity to handle the world’s largest cruising superyachts.
A recent report, commissioned by NZ Marine and conducted by Market Economics Limited, highlighted the economic impact of superyacht visitors. The report indicated a $212m boost from visiting vessels, in addition to $250m generated by new builds under construction this year. These figures contribute to New Zealand’s $3bn marine industry.
Busfield noted the sector’s growth potential: “The superyacht refit business is a big part of New Zealand’s $3 billion marine industry with huge growth potential. At the moment, New Zealand is attracting just a fraction of the world’s superyacht fleet to enjoy its 15,000 kilometres of widely untouched coastline and world-leading marine innovation.”
The infrastructure development over the past five years has positioned New Zealand to accommodate a 50 per cent increase in superyacht arrivals, enhancing the economic benefits. Sponsors from various industry sectors, including refit shipyards, engineering, and crew recruitment, showcased the broad impact of the superyacht sector on the local economy.
The event also highlighted New Zealand’s collaborative approach to engaging with the global superyacht industry, with the country aiming to provide accessible cruising information and world-class refit services, both domestically and internationally.
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