Serene start to a Kiwi holiday

Superyacht Serene makes its way towards a berth in the harbour yesterday. Picture / Brett Phibbs

The biggest superyacht to visit New Zealand slipped into port yesterday morning - but had to berth at Auckland's Wynyard Wharf because it was too big for the dedicated big boat marina.

The arrival of the 134m, $423 million Serene was watched by a sprinkling of onlookers who were taking pictures of the towering craft at the end of the Tank Farm wharf.

"I haven't seen anything like it," said Gavin Bakewell who builds an early morning walk of the waterfront into his day.

"I guess this is how the 1 per cent live."

Roger McElroy picked it as a Russian-owned boat.

"I wouldn't mind having a look around it. It does look fairly nice."

The yacht is owned by Yuri Schefler, a vodka tycoon who is understood to be holidaying in the country for several weeks.

Details from yacht charter websites show the vessel has a helicopter hangar, two helipads and a submarine hangar.

There is an underwater viewing space and 12 staterooms for 24 guests who are tended by up to 52 crew.

See the video of the superyacht arriving