Marina professionals land in Whitianga

100 marina managers from all over New Zealand converged on Whitianga yesterday morning for the 2016 Annual General Meeting and Conference of the New Zealand Marina Operators Association.

Many of them flew in on the vintage DC-3 aircraft, which you may have noticed parked at Whitianga Aerodrome. The aircraft is named ‘Powhaitere’ and was built in 1944 in Oklahoma City, for the Royal New Zealand Airforce.

Sir Michael Fay opened the Conference. As a long term resident of Mercury Bay, he described his passionate works on the pest eradication of Great Mercury Island. Environmental care and management is a major focus of discussion for the marina industry at their 2016 Conference.

Chairman of the association, and manager of Whitianga Marina Darryl Smith, said he was proud to be able to bring marina managers, operators, and developers to Whitianga to meet and discuss topical issues faced by Marinas across New Zealand. The conference moves between regions each year, and local businesses have got behind us in hosting what is a large group of people for Whitianga. Many have gone out of their way and I thank them for this”

The group has today toured Whangamata and Tairua Marinas, and has over the three days heard from a wide range of speakers on topics important to the industry including health and safety, human resources, operational matters and communications.

ENDS

© Scoop Media