15 Mar 2015

More superyacht facilities needed

7:36 pm on 15 March 2015

The marine industry is calling for more facilities to accomodate superyachts and make the most of their visits to New Zealand.

The Downtown Parking Building is on a prime site with views west across the waterfront.

The Downtown Parking Building is on a prime site with views west across the waterfront. Photo: RNZ / Todd Niall

A record 57 superyachts visited the country since last April, bringing in more than $100 million to the economy.

The executive director of the Marine Industry Association, Peter Busfield, said New Zealand was known for superyacht maintenance and refitting, which attracted the ships from overseas.

But he said there were not enough berths in Auckland to capitalise on that.

Mr Busfield said the Association was currently working with the Auckland Council to make more room for superyachts in the Wynard Quarter.

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