Whitianga Marina has secured a prestigious double victory at the 2026 New Zealand Marina Operators Association (NZMOA) Awards, claiming top honors for both “Marina of the Year” and “Boatyard of the Year.” The awards celebrate excellence across the country’s maritime infrastructure, highlighting advancements in operational efficiency, environmental stewardship, and community engagement.
The judging panel, which included NZ Marine executive director Callum Gillespie, faced a difficult task in selecting winners from a diverse pool of finalists that ranged from regional destinations to major metropolitan superyacht hubs. Whitianga Marina’s win was attributed to its consistent operational standards, strong team culture, and the successful completion of critical infrastructure upgrades, including a new fuel dock and a bolstered seawall.
“We chose Whitianga Marina because it is carefully managed, community-minded and operates consistently at a high standard,” Gillespie noted, emphasizing that the marina effectively maximizes its potential as a premier destination for boaters exploring Mercury Bay and the Mercury Islands.
Innovating for Marine Biosecurity
While physical infrastructure dominated many categories, the awards also spotlighted cutting-edge technological solutions designed to protect the marine environment. Commercial Dive Specialists received the “Outstanding Initiative Award” for their development of Rehabitat, a sophisticated system aimed at containing and neutralizing invasive exotic caulerpa.
The Rehabitat technology utilizes a specialized containment chamber placed over affected seabed areas. Through a controlled, localized treatment process, the system can eradicate invasive species while minimizing ecological disruption. This project represents a significant leap forward in marine biosecurity, with the potential for widespread application in managing pest incursions within marina environments.
Digital Transformation and Operational Efficiency
The awards underscored an industry-wide trend toward adopting smart technology to streamline complex administrative tasks. Seaview Marina was recognized for developing an in-house mobile application that centralizes safety, compliance, and daily management tasks.
By leveraging accessible, subscription-based platforms, the marina created a practical, cost-effective tool that has set a new benchmark for operational management. The judges praised the app’s simplicity and its potential to serve as a scalable model for other operators, highlighting how low-code or easily integrated digital solutions can revolutionize traditional work environments.
Three Decades of Leadership
The ceremony also honored individual excellence, presenting Brett Colby of Half Moon Bay Marina with the “Outstanding Individual Contribution to the Industry Award.” A veteran of the sector since 1994, Colby was instrumental in modernizing how boatyards function across the South Pacific.
Beyond his technical expertise in assembling and maintaining Marine Travelifts, Colby was a pioneer in standardizing safety procedures. He transitioned vessel lifting from an informal trade into a structured discipline by developing comprehensive competency manuals and rigorous operator training programs. Furthermore, his early advocacy for the New Zealand Clean Marina Programme laid the groundwork for today’s stringent environmental standards, particularly regarding stormwater filtration and the prevention of marine pests.
As the industry looks toward the future, these awards highlight a shift toward integrating sustainability, digital efficiency, and technical precision to ensure New Zealand remains at the forefront of the global marina sector. For those interested in the full scope of the industry’s advancements, further documentation is available via the official NZMOA portal.
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