Nearly $13 million NZD (about $7.8 million USD) in government funding has been approved to support major upgrades at Nelson Marina, including a new service centre and improvements to existing boatyard facilities. The funding has been secured through a partnership between Nelson Marina Management Limited and Nelson City Council.
Nelson Marina is located in Nelson Haven at the top of New Zealand’s South Island in Tasman Bay, within walking distance of Nelson’s city centre. The marina provides pile mooring, long-term berths and operates a travel lift. Nelson Marina is owned by Nelson City Council and managed by an in-house marina management team.
The funding comes from the Government’s Regional Infrastructure Fund and is administered by Kānoa – the Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit within the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment.
Up to $10.5 million NZD has been allocated for a two-storey Marine Service Centre of about one hectare. The building is expected to include workshops for boat building and maintenance, office accommodation and retail shopfronts for marine-related businesses.
A further $2.4 million NZD will support upgrades to the existing boatyard and hardstand facilities. This includes the installation of a new 110-tonne straddle lift, increasing lifting capacity from the current 50 tonnes.
The funding will allow design work, feasibility studies and the resource consent process to begin. Construction is expected to start in 2027.
Nelson Marina Management Limited chair Rick Herd stated: “This investment recognises the important role Nelson Marina plays in supporting our local economy, tourism sector and marine industry. By improving infrastructure at the marina, we’re helping to future-proof Nelson’s waterfront and ensuring it continues to deliver value for locals, visitors and marine operators alike.”
The service centre and boatyard upgrades align with the Nelson Marina Masterplan adopted in 2022. The total investment across the site upgrades is expected to be about $26 million NZD and provide an additional 180 jobs.
Nelson mayor Nick Smith said: “We want Nelson to become New Zealand’s lead marine centre by growing our Blue Economy – the go-to place for recreational and commercial boat building and maintenance, fishing and aquaculture and for marine science and associated professional services.”
