Superyachts bring glitterati to Auckland

By LOUISA CLEAVE

Now that the Auckland waterfront resembles a miniature French Riviera with the impressive line-up of superyachts it is time to find out who is here - and how they are spending their time and money.

Water taxi operators at the Viaduct Harbour have picked up on the Hollywood homes idea by ferrying passengers around the yachts and giving them information about the owners.

There is no way of keeping these multi-million dollar pleasure craft of the wealthy out of the public eye, but their owners are more coy about revealing their identity.

Most are wealthy business people who have made their money in telecommunications, computers and the stock market, according to John Julian, a superyacht broker and writer.

Among those who have been in town include Netscape boss Jim Clark on his yacht Hyperion and lesser known, but extremely wealthy property magnates John A Williams, owner of the boat Georgia, and Ronald De Waal, who owns the J-Class original Velsheda.

Gianni Agnelli, not a superyacht owner but one of the guests on them, is the owner of Fiat and Ferrari.

Early estimates of the economic spin-off from the superyacht community were $100 million.

A report commissioned by the Office of Sport and Tourism on the economic impact of the cup on Auckland will include superyachts, but the office says it is too early to say how much they are worth.

Some indication may come from Paul Olsen, a director of the company Thirty Seven South Ltd which looks after the needs of superyacht owners and crews.

"We had one client here over Christmas and New Year who spent $100,000 over three days using helicopters to fly around sight-seeing, kayaking, jet boating and caving. They did as much adventure sport as they could," he said.

Another owner had $8000 worth of caviar flown into the country.

One of the more unusual requests came from a family who were visiting Fiordland and asked for eight pairs of gumboots to be flown down so they could go bush walking.

The number of superyachts which have come are below initial expectations, about 80 rather than 100.

While most superyacht owners have asked for anonymity, one family invited the Herald onboard their luxury floating home last month.

John and June Klindworth, the American owners of Seaquell, are three years into a five-year world journey on their 31.7m sloop.

They waited until arriving in Auckland to have a new teak deck built, their yacht re-painted and new sails made because of New Zealand's reputation for quality work.

Family from the United States flew in to stay over Christmas, visiting Queenstown and Rotorua.

The Klindworth's spent Christmas in the Bay of Islands, and after the America's Cup is over they plan to sail the New Zealand coastline, stopping at Milford Sound, then on to Stewart Island before heading for Australia.

The Klindworth's children bought a supply of our woollen sweaters before heading back to colder temperatures in the United States.

Son Todd, who spent three years working in Wellington, said he would take advantage of his holiday to stock up on Swandri jerseys.

As supporters of Stars and Stripes, the family purchased plenty of sailing gear and were also fond of the Canterbury clothing line.

Sheepskin pillows and slippers were among the adults gifts for friends, while the children shopped for key rings featuring sheep and Kiwi for their school friends.

"The shop keepers are courteous and helpful and it's pleasant to go out and shop," John Klindworth said.