Superyacht visits on the rise

Superyacht Serene, owned by a Russian vodka tycoon, has spent time in Auckland twice in the past two months. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Efforts to attract luxury vessels pay off

A superyacht promotion group says the number of vessels arriving here this summer has soared from 37 to 57 compared to last year with the biggest of them all, Serene, extending its stay.

The 134m Serene has its own helicopter and, among many luxury features, indoor and outdoor pools, a snow machine and hot and cold saunas.

The group promoting New Zealand as a destination for superyachts says its efforts are paying off.

The Destination New Zealand Superyacht Attraction Initiative Group, comprising Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (Ateed), Tourism New Zealand, NZ Marine and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, works to make New Zealand a desirable superyacht destination.

Auckland is the hub of New Zealand's marine sector with 60 per cent of the country's industry based in the region.

The group has a target to attract 74 superyachts a year by 2018.

Ateed tourism manager Jason Hill said each superyacht contributed more than $1 million to the economy with each visit and in many cases more than $5 million including spending on tourism and berthage and marine services. "Auckland is renowned for its sailing and marine aptitude and valued for our internationally acclaimed superyacht new build, refit and maintenance capacity," Hill said.

If a superyacht has a major refit while in New Zealand the cost is up to $6 million for a 50m yacht and around $20 million for a vessel 100m or larger.

This summer's arrival total is the highest number of superyachts to visit since the America's Cup in 2000, when between 90 to 100 superyachts came to Auckland.

Ratepayer funded Ateed has spent $60,000 so far during the past year on support for the group.

The $423 million Serene, owned by a Russian vodka tycoon, has visited Auckland twice during the past two months and cruised around the New Zealand coast. Asia Pacific Superyachts New Zealand, which is not a member of the promotion group, brought Serene to this country but yesterday would not comment on its visit. The company also brought in The Big Blue which features in a video produced by Tourism NZ which received more than 35,000 views on social media channels in just one day.

NZ Marine executive director Peter Busfield said recent regulation changes that allow visiting superyachts to stay for up to 24 months and also do some limited chartering while in New Zealand, was another incentive for superyachts to come to New Zealand.

The global superyacht fleet consists of 4896 superyachts; 80 per cent motor yachts and 20 per cent sailing yachts.