Voice of the Ocean’s Eco-Friendly Sailing Catamaran Docks at Port Nikau
Following a three-year expedition sailing around the world raising awareness about plastic pollution, the Voice of the Oceans crew has made Port Nikau their temporary home. After arriving in December, their crew are taking a well-earned break until April while essential maintenance is undertaken on their sailing catamaran, Kat.
Port Nikau Marina expansion in Whangārei is a win-win for local contractors and boat owners
The Port Nikau Marina is expanding as the construction of the latest pier is scheduled for completion in late February.
Repairing Parlay Revival at Port Nikau
Port Nikau welcomed YouTube sensations Parlay Revival to Eastpoint Marina last week to complete necessary on-water maintenance before they finished their six-year round-the-world trip in a repaired hurricane-damaged catamaran. There aren’t many people who would spend their life savings on a hurricane-damaged catamaran to repair and sail around the world, but that’s exactly what Auckland-born …
Port Nikau: A Waterfront Community in the Heart of the City
The future of residential development looks vastly different to that of 10 or even 20 years ago. The days of the quarter acre residential section are evolving, as access to land becomes more difficult and people are choosing to live in more sustainable, connected communities where resources, such as green spaces, can be shared, rather …
International Yacht Rally Welcomed to Port Nikau
Yachts sailing on the Grand Large Yachting (GLY) World Odyssey 500 recently cruised through New Zealand, with a number of vessels calling into Port Nikau for refits and maintenance.
World Class Diving on Your Doorstep
With abundant marine life and great visibility, it’s easy to see why Northland’s dive sites are world-renowned. There’s so much you’ll want to explore, and we’ve pulled together some of the highlights you won’t want to miss.
Whangārei’s Best Known Surf Beaches
There are many surf beaches around Whangārei City, close to the Port Nikau marina. If you’re just learning or already a seasoned surfer, we have the best spots for you to visit!
Music, gigs and live entertainment in Whangārei
Here’s our round-up of the best places in town to grab a drink with friends, meet locals, and listen to some tunes. New events and venues pop up all the time, but we think these spots are the most reliable for scheduling regular events.
Doing the heavy lifting: Oceania Marine launch new marine travel lift
One of New Zealand’s biggest marine travel lifts was launched today at an event held at Oceania Marine’s South Shipyard at Port Whangārei. Used for lifting boats out of the water and transporting them onto the hardstand at South Shipyard, the new machine establishes Oceania Marine as one of the South Pacific’s premiere refit and …
Whangārei’s Best Known Tasty Eats
There’s a good selection of places to eat in town including all the usual fast food joints, which you’ll find as you’re travelling around. To help make your search a little easier, we’ve pulled together a list of some local favourites where you’ll find delicious authentic cuisine from around the world, including plenty of amazing vegetarian and vegan options.
Local Markets and Breweries
From market days to shops and restaurants, we’ve drawn up a list of the must-visit places to get fresh and tasty local kai. And just so you have something to wash it all down with, we’ve thrown in a few local drinks businesses too.
Whangārei’s Best Known Cafes
Whangārei is home to plenty of coffee lovers and the city has plenty of great cafes for a catch-up with friends or to meet the locals. Here are a few options to get started as you work your way around the city, looking for the most flavourful coffees in town.
Bush Walks, Waterfalls and Stunning Vistas in Whangārei
There’s no better way to spend the day than exploring the natural beauty of Northland. These walks take you through native bush, past historical Māori pā sites and waterfalls, and onto secluded beaches with picture-perfect views you won’t want to miss.
Best Local Swimming Spots in Whangārei
Whangārei is renowned for its awesome swimming beaches which are a great way to cool off and see some of our amazing coastline in the summer months (or even during winter!) While there are 100 beaches in the district, we’ve chosen our favourites within a 40 minute drive.
Port Nikau Development Continues With Marina Opening Next Month
There has been significant progress on the Port Nikau Development since it was approved by the Whangarei District Council in 2020, with the first stage of the new Port Nikau marina – Pier B – open for business from next month. Pier B will accommodate 24 vessels, while the full marina – once completed – …
Sea borders open for superyachts heading to New Zealand
New Zealand will open its air and sea borders from 1 August, allowing tourists to once again explore and enjoy one of the world’s greatest natural marine playgrounds. The move has been met with delight by the superyacht industry as the final step in New Zealand’s marine reopening, inviting visitors to return to the gateway …
Whangārei global maritime training qualification underway
A globally-recognised maritime training qualification being offered in Northland for the first time is open for enrolments. The first intake started on 1 February and ran for seven days during which time participants have been armed with personal survival skills at sea. Training 4 Safety is the first Northland business to deliver the training, which …
The future of the New Zealand marine industry
With the arrival of Covid into New Zealand in 2020, the marine industry prepared for choppy waters ahead and a decrease in demand. However, the opposite occurred, with boat sales soaring as lockdown restrictions were lifted. Demand and prices continue to climb as we head into summer 2021. While there is no official data for …
Sea Eagle II departs Whangārei
In April this year, the world’s largest aluminium yacht arrived in the Whangārei Harbour. The triple 62.5m high mast Sea Eagle II has been moored at Port Nikau since finishing off her maiden voyage and sea trial all the way to New Zealand from the Netherlands. Sea Eagle II’s arrival caused a touch of concern …
Whangārei farewells Douce France
A volley of horns could be heard across the Whangārei Harbour earlier this week, farewelling one of the largest sailing catamarans in the world. The catamaran, Douce France, had been on the hard at Port Nikau for six weeks, undergoing the five-yearly maintenance. The boat was then heading to Opua to clear customs before carrying …
Oceania Marine expands its yacht support services
With the expansion of berthage for large yachts at Port Nikau and a new 120 yacht marina under construction, Port Nikau has become an ideal destination for superyachts, especially those who are looking for an extended stay for refit and maintenance work. As a result Oceania Marine, Port Nikau’s neighbours, is expanding its yacht services …
Whangārei to host luxury vessels
Port Nikau has recently completed their $1.2 million 50m long floating pontoon which allows for on-water refits of luxury boats. The completion of this project further adds to Whangārei’s growing superyacht service industry. The pontoon can moor four vessels of up to 65m and since May 2021 has attracted three international superyachts, including Senses, Douce …
Integrated Marine Group Support
Integrated Marine Group has recently opened an office in Whangārei to support an influx of maritime clients in Port Nikau. Over the course of 2021 the company managed three refit projects at the Port Nikau site, on board 59m Senses, 81m superyacht Sea Eagle II and 31m superyacht Altair. Integrated Marine Group Managing Director Mark …
Senses $45 million superyacht
The redevelopment of Whangārei’s boatbuilding infrastructure at Port Nikau has enabled the Whangārei marine industry to score New Zealand’s most expensive and most impressive $60 million refit this year. The $45 million superyacht Senses is 59 metres and weighs almost 1000 tonnes. The superyacht is currently sitting in a slipway at Ship Repair NZ’s Port …
Tuia 250 Fleet Visits Port Nikau
Port Nikau was proud to host the Tuia 250 flotilla for three days in Whangārei this month, including an open day where more than 2500 people descended on Port Nikau to get a closer look at the fleet.
Port Nikau to be transformed
Plans are in progress for a massive 88-hectare development in Whangārei, including the construction of more than 500 homes to cater for the region’s population boom. The Whangarei District Council last year approved the Port Nikau Environment Master Plan submitted by Port Nikau Joint Venture Partners, co-owned by Tony and Clare Davies-Colley. After the first …
A Surge in Superyacht Visits to Port Whangārei
Port Whangarei has transformed over the last decade into an important marine service centre for a wide range of maritime clients. Over the years due to increased demand, the port’s facilities have been re-purposed and more support services established to make it the high-traffic marine hub it is today! There has recently been a major …