APS New Zealand Kicks Off Summer Season

Asia Pacific Superyachts New Zealand kicked off the summer season with a new refit and cruising office in Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour and threw their first “Dock Party” at Silo Marina to mark the occasion.

With over 100 of their crew in attendance, Asia Pacific shouted the sausages, sauce, beer and wine to start the evening. On Saturday the All Blacks also played Australia in Auckland, and APS hosted eight of their captains in a corporate box.

“It’s a very kiwi thing to want to welcome our guests and show them the best time we possibly can. We want to share our love of food and rugby and with the big game being in Auckland and summer beginning, it was a perfect weekend – plus the All Blacks won!” says Duthie Lidgard, MD of Asia Pacific Superyachts NZ,

NZ Team at ‘Opening Party on Dock’ at Silo Marina in Auckland’s CBD. From left: Marisol (Auckland) Karma (Whangarei), Duthie (APSNZ MD), Quintin (Parts)

“New Zealand has become the go-to place in the Asia Pacific Region for refit and cruising along its pristine coastline which offers a whole world in a very small country”, adds Duthie.

“White sandy beaches, sheltered bays, fjords, great fishing and diving, a vibrant food and wine culture, world class hiking trails and some stunning scenery. What else could you need? Leave your northern winter behind and head down here for a summer Christmas cruise out of the madness. It’s a safe place to visit.”

APS NZ guests at ‘Opening Party on Dock’ at Silo Marina in Auckland’s CBD

Auckland is now facing competition for refit from Whangarei, a sheltered harbour 2.5hrs north of Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour, which led Asia Pacific Superyachts NZ to open an office here, to support the growing number of visiting vessels.

Run by experienced crewmember, Karma Butler, this season it has taken off. “The atmosphere here is a lot more relaxed although the work is still first class” says Butler.

“There isn’t the traffic and uptight nature that you see in Auckland. Crew are loving the access to the Northland Beaches which offer peace and tranquility after a long day in the yard. It’s a nice atmosphere to do your refit and gives you a quality of life outside of work hours.”

APS NZ new added office – Whangarei Ship Repair

Lidgard adds “We saw Whangarei as a fantastic alternative to Auckland for refit and as a base for cruising Northland and we’ve made this commitment to support the vessels that make the decision to go there by employing Karma, who will run our office. With Karma’s experience in the region she will be offering provisioning and full support for vessels cruising along with full itinerary and tourism services in Northland region which includes the stunning Bay of Islands.”

APS NZ Whangarei overview

“Auckland is always busy and will always be the main hub of the superyacht industry in the Pacific. Its two slipways in Downtown Auckland offer great service in a prime location and with the Silo Marina offering eight berths for vessels up to 120m, plus the Viaduct Harbour, there aren’t many better places for boats and crew to be based but we now have a great alternative for visiting vessels. We have an amazing and very dedicated team in Auckland, and now with the addition of Karma who has the same vision and work ethic as us, the fit has been pretty seamless.”

For more information please contact:

Duthie Lidgard at APS NZ   
Karma Butler at APS NZ Whangarei