5 Reasons to Base Your Superyacht in New Zealand

As one superyacht season draws to a close and the next appears on the horizon, it’s the time of year when many owners and captains consider their future cruising plans.

At this transitional time, there’s no better base to consider for your next adventure than the South Pacific, with a focal point on New Zealand, says Jeanette Tobin, an expert local agent at Asia Pacific Superyachts NZ and co-author of the Superyacht Explorer guide to cruising in the region.

At the heart of any significant cruising plans like these, should be a solid home base for the months or years when you relocate your superyacht to a different region or
hemisphere.

Credits: Tourism NZ & Andy Grocott

New Zealand ticks all the boxes that any superyacht owner might consider when seeking out interesting new cruising grounds for exploration or to attract the growing pool of adventurous charter clients. It is a safe and secure country, with all the transport connections necessary for inbound travel from Asia, Europe or the Americas.

Credits: Tourism NZ & Cape Kidnappers

New Zealand also offers ample yachting infrastructure and expertise for world-class refit and repair while staying in the region, adds Duthie Lidgard, Managing Director of Asia Pacific Superyachts NZ.

5 Reasons to Make New Zealand Your Superyacht Base...

Credits: Rodolphe Holler & Superyacht Private Expeditions

05 Off the Charts in Global Ratings

For many years, New Zealand has been making it into the news headlines for all the right reasons. It was recently voted the fourth safest country to live in the world (2015 Global Peace Index), and the second least corrupt country in the world (2014 Corruption Perception Index). This year, capital city Auckland was once again highlighted as one of the best cities to live in the world (placed third, Mercer 2016).

While some cruising grounds might put superyachts and their owners under the microscope with regards to media interest and security concerns, New Zealand’s renowned safety, hospitality and respect for privacy offer a welcome change of scenery. We guarantee that anonymity will bring a new freedom to you and your guests, as you cruise on New Zealand’s relaxed and charming coastline.

Credits: Rodolphe Holler & Tourism NZ

04 A Transportation Hub

Whether your guests are flying in from Asia and Europe or the Americas, there are excellent commercial flight options as well as private link, to provide reasonably priced and timely access to New Zealand. Many of the world’s top airlines servicing the country now offer private cabins or plush first class options. Our government and officials are switched on to the benefit of visiting luxury yachts, and our relatively open immigration policies allow most nationalities to visit New Zealand as a tourist for up to three months without a visa.

Asia Pacific Superyachts NZ is able to secure two-year charter permits for cruising within the country for its clients.

Credits: Tourism NZ & ATEED

03 Making Sense with Your Cents

In recent years, the New Zealand dollar has decreased in value against the US dollar and euro by approximately 20%, making it a much more economical choice as a cruising base than in previous years or compared with other, more crowded and pricey options. Daily costs such as dockage and shore power can add up significantly over the course of a season or two. In New Zealand, these operational costs are measure-for-measure cheaper than the equivalent options in Europe or the Caribbean.

It is also the smart choice for larger, one-off expenditures. We offer some of the best award-winning facilities for refit, maintenance and repair in the region, not to mention on a global scale.

Credits: John Panoho & Tourism NZ

02 A Rich Cultural & Natural Heritage

Since the early Polynesian settlers came to our lands centuries before the European settlers, New Zealand has been a melting pot of culture combined with stunning scenery and unique (not to mention non-dangerous) wildlife. Asia Pacific Superyachts NZ is the only Tourism NZ-accredited superyacht agency that is Qualmark-approved, so we can be trusted to provide clients with the best insight into cruising the country.

We are proud of our rich Maori heritage and, as members of the Maori Tourism Council, we guarantee to ensure any cruise to the country will truly showcase this to all our clients and their guests.

Credits: Rodolphe Holler & Tourism NZ

01 Something for Everyone, from Gastronomy to Heliskiing

One of the irresistible attractions of New Zealand as a superyacht cruising base is just how much is available on our own doorstep. For the wine and food fans we have
superb New World vineyards and Michelin-starred cuisine. For the nature fans we have rare species of wildlife and breathtaking natural wonders. And for the sports fans we have everything from heliskiing to superyacht regattas.

Credit: Tourism NZ

Lean more about the cruising opportunities in New Zealand and the rest of the Pacific - practical advice, local insight, cultural highlights and itinerary suggestions - you can request a FREE COPY of:

The 2nd Edition of the Superyacht Explorer

Jeanette Tobin: Jeanette@Asia-PacificSuperyachts.co.nz 
Duthie Lidgard: Duthie@asia-pacific-superyachts.co.nz
Or please visit our website: Asia-Pacific Superyachts