The marine industry’s contribution to Northland’s regional economy is growing, with Whangārei increasingly viewed as a premier marine hub for the South Pacific.
With market-leading company Oceania Marine consolidating its property footprint as part of a strategic succession plan, the site of its refit and repair north shipyard in Port Whangārei is now for sale. The firm will now focus operations on its south shipyard – also within this sought-after marine precinct.
The 2.06-hectare waterfront landholding for sale at 4 Fraser Street is zoned Heavy Industrial and comprises a significant facility equipped for large-scale marine maintenance and shipbuilding. The 800-tonne capacity railway slipway has been built to accommodate substantial vessel operations and is one of the largest of its kind in Northland.
There is a total 3,061sqm operational floor area across the site comprising a 1,400sqm engineering workshop with 8-metre stud, a 682sqm medium-stud workshop, a 979sqm building dubbed “The Dome” which acts as the main workshop – all supported by an additional 339sqm of office space.
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The property is 4km from the Whangārei CBD, and has direct waterway access to Whangārei Heads via a maintained channel.
Oceania Marine has utilised the property for extensive marine refit and repair operations, including for the superyacht market, with the facility boasting extensive gantry-equipped workshops, premium undercover paint and refit sheds, and full project support capabilities.
The property is for sale with Nigel Ingham and Henry Napier of Bayleys Whangārei and Scott Campbell, Bayleys national director industrial. It is being marketed by deadline private treaty closing 18th December, unless sold prior.
Ingham says the property is uniquely positioned for high-capacity marine businesses and is a turn-key opportunity for an operator needing expansive facilities, a robust slipway, and waterfront access.
“The location at the head of the Whangārei Harbour is ideal for haul-out purposes and is a proven location with Oceania Marine having operated part of its well-established business from this site since 2009.
“It’s exceedingly rare for a water-adjacent property with this level of built infrastructure to come to the open market and while the property is optimally sited and equipped for a marine-aligned business, it could also flex to another industrial or manufacturing use.”
A report commissioned by marine industry organisation NZ Marine and conducted by Market Economics Limited, revealed that superyacht visitors injected $212 million into New Zealand’s economy in the 2023/4 season and highlights the part superyachts play in this country’s marine and tourism sectors.
It says around 90-percent of this expenditure was directly related to maintenance, refit, and berthage, with Ingham saying a new owner could leverage this market off the back of surging interest in the country’s marine industry pedigree.
“New Zealand has an established reputation as world leaders in marine services, boatbuilding and related technology, most-recently reinforced by Emirates Team New Zealand winning its third consecutive America’s Cup.
“In terms of the recreational market, refitting superyachts is a major part of our overall marine industry and economy, with superyachts permitted to stay in New Zealand for up to 24 months. There’s identified growth in this market, particularly as New Zealand is a pivotal destination in the South Pacific and is perceived as a safe haven.”
Whangārei ’s wider industrial market is holding up well, according to Ingham which would give confidence to those owner-occupiers looking to establish themselves in the area.
“Vacancy rates are very low, and there’s not a lot of speculative development as industrial stock tends to be built on-demand for a specific client.
“This places pressure on existing buildings to meet occupier demand and specialist operators – such as those in the marine sector – are really squeezed for options.”
Whangārei also welcomed its first cruise ships earlier this year, and the regional economy is expected to benefit from the ongoing tourism injection, with forecasts suggesting up to 45,000 passengers would arrive annually by 2044.
- Supplied by Bayleys
