Reflections from an award-winning team

Boatyard of the Year 2024 award © NZMOA

Boatyard of the Year 2024 award © NZMOA

Now that the excitement of winning the Boatyard of the Year 2024 award has eased, we asked the Team who work at the boatyard what the award means to them.

The Boatyard of the Year 2024 is presented by the New Zealand Marina Operators Association (NZMOA), and is part of a family of industry awards established in 2018 to celebrate outstanding achievements and innovation within the Marina sector.

Comments from the Boatyard Team:

Brian - Yardman
"I know we were up against stiff competition, so to win makes me proud of what we do. It's good to see all the hard work is appreciated."

Bret - Trailer & Travel Lift Team
"We appreciate being recognised as the top boatyard in an industry that upholds high standards."

Sally - Boatyard Administrator
"All the hard work has paid off and we can be proud of ourselves."

Jack - Paint Shop Team
"Awesome to be recognised as the best yard in New Zealand!"

Phoenix - Paint Shop Team
"Great to be part of a Team that strives for excellence."

Kawiti - Paint Shop Team
"Overjoyed because of the hard work we do as a Team. It's a measure and a reward how we feel about our mahi - well deserved"

Tainui - Paint Shop Team
"Just another day in paradise."

Tainui Junior - Paint Shop Team
"When I heard about the news. I felt very proud about it."

Maui - Trailer & Travel Lift Team
"First time for us, we're in the history books now - doesn't get much better."

Whitiora - Trailer & Travel Lift Team
"An awesome achievement, it's great to be a part this team."

Rob - Paint Shop Team
"This is a real boost for the whole team. It's a great recognition for the guys interacting with customers, and it motivates all of us to keep exceeding customer expectations."

Marshall - Paint Shop Team
"Stoked mate! Yeah.. somehow I knew it was going to be ours."

Chad - Paint Shop Manager
"It's one thing to believe we are the best at what we do, but this award proves we are on the right track. I've been here for so long and helped build this Boatyard to what it is today and I have a great sense of pride in what we do here."

Rhys - Boatyard Manager
"As a Northland local, I'm incredibly proud of this achievement. It shows how a business can thrive while supporting it's staff, families, and the community."

The team at the Bay of Islands Marina Boatyard is still buzzing after its win in the Boatyard of the Year Category at the NZMOA Awards. They shared this story about what it means to individual members of the team.

The judges comments included: there are many reasons the boatyard at Bay of Islands Marina is important to Northland: economic, maritime and community related. It has really stepped up to be deserving of its role in the region. Judges, who had experience of the yard as customers and as industry professionals, said that it was obvious an enormous amount of positive change has taken place and from that a highly professional operation has emerged. They found the distinctive team culture particularly remarkable, and they congratulate everyone involved in making that happen.