New Zealand Enjoys Highly Successful Charter Season

By Editorial Team 25 March 2015

This season New Zealand experienced its highest number of superyachts visiting ports in 15 years, with charter yachts including 134m Motor Yacht SERENE spotted in the South Pacific.

The country’s tourist board reported an increase of 54% in the number of luxury yachts visiting New Zealand in comparison to last season, with 57 vessels in total visiting between April 2014 and March 2015. New Zealand has not enjoyed such numbers since it hosted the America’s Cup in 2000, which saw 90 superyachts travel to the country.

With each visit, a superyacht can dramatically boost a country by contributing between $1-5 million to the economy. This comprises of the cost of berthage, marine services and local tourism by owners, charterers and crew. New legislation permitting superyachts to stay in New Zealand for up to 2 years with some chartering has also increased the country’s popularity.

Auckland has been the hub of the recent wave of superyacht activity, accounting for up to 60% of New Zealand’s yachting industry. Commenting on a successful season, Jason Hill from Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED), stated “It’s a fantastic outcome and is the result of organistions bringing their expertise together to really put New Zealand on the map as a superyacht destination.”

One vessel of the 57 which visited Auckland in the past year was the 134m Fincantieri superyacht SERENE. The yacht extended its stay in the country for maintenance work, furthermore boosting New Zealand’s income from the yachting industry. Renowned for its refit and maintenance facilities, Auckland also offers “relative anonymity” which is “very enticing” for superyacht owners and charterers according to Mayor Lee Brown.

New Zealand hopes to continue to establish itself as a leading yachting destination and has targeted to attract 75 superyachts to the country’s shores by 2018.

To begin planning a vacation browse all luxury yachts for charter in New Zealand and contact your preferred charter broker for more information.