Kiwi marinas make big steps in environmental performance : 17 marinas now on ‘Clean Marina journey'

Waiheke Marina © Phil Hart

The $540 million marina and boatyard industry is on a mission to minimise its environmental impact, particularly in relation to coastal water quality.

Seventeen New Zealand marinas were recognized for their progress in the Clean Marina program at the New Zealand Marinas and Boatyard Conference—representing nearly 30% of members of the New Zealand Marina Operators Association (NZMOA), the industry's trade association.

Clean Marinas in New Zealand include ten that fly the Clean Marina flag at Level 3 status, the highest possible level as fully accredited Clean Marinas: Half Moon Bay Marina, Gulf Harbour Marina, Westhaven Marina, Whitianga Marina, Whangamata Marina, Tauranga Bridge Marina, Seaview Marina, Te Ana Marina in Lyttelton, Nelson Marina, and Bay of Islands Marina.

The New Zealand Clean Marinas program requires operations to meet strict levels of environmental compliance, reflecting the industry’s commitment to sustainable environmental performance, particularly concerning water quality.

Five marinas are at Level 2, which means they are progressing towards full accreditation. These include the Outboard Boating Club and Orakei Marina, as well as the three marinas in the Marlborough Sounds: Picton Marina, Waikawa Marina, and Havelock Marina. Several of these are expected to become fully accredited Clean Marinas this year.

Two Auckland operations—Viaduct Harbour Marina and Waiheke Marina—took the Clean Marina Pledge this year and are embarking on their journey to full accreditation.

“Our industry is demanding more and better environmental protection all the time,” says NZMOA Chairperson Chris Galbraith.

“The only way we can move forward as an industry is by having absolute respect for the environment, and that has sparked some remarkable innovation. We are seeing new facilities, like the marina at Waiheke, built nearly entirely on floating structures, enabling natural water flow and no permanent change to the seafloor. Boatyards have invested heavily and are now very adept at managing their waste water, and there is an increasing body of research and technology available to help us work towards better water quality, decarbonisation and to support marine biosecurity measures.”

To receive Clean Marina certification, marinas are audited on factors such as the provision and promotion of recycling facilities, no-discharge policies and enforcement of these policies, provisions for boat owners to facilitate regular hull cleaning, the use of sustainable materials in the maintenance and building of infrastructure, and the reuse of dredged materials. A focus on marina policies and procedures rounds out the criteria for becoming a certified Clean Marina.