August 25, 2022

Port Nikau Development: New Marina Opens Next Month

There has been significant progress on the Port Nikau Development since it was approved by the Whangarei District Council in 2020, with the first stage of the new Port Nikau marina – Pier B – open for business from next month.

Pier B will accommodate 24 vessels, while the full marina – once completed – will provide berthage for over 100 vessels. In the next 10 years, the Port Nikau Development will evolve into a fully developed urban waterfront environment, featuring 1,200 homes with supporting retail, commercial and public spaces. 

Port Nikau Marine Manager, Blair Smeal, says there is growing demand from vessel owners looking to secure berths in Northland, and interest in the Pier B berths has been strong. “We’re offering a prime location at the Port Nikau Marina, which is very attractive to those boat owners wanting the convenience of having all the amenities of Whangārei’s world-class marine precinct so close at hand.

“With the opening of the international border, vessels from around the world to once again start plotting a course for New Zealand. We’ve had the privilege of hosting some of the world’s most well-known superyachts at Port Nikau, and we’re excited that we can once again head to Whangārei.”

The earthworks for the first stage of the residential sections, Stage 1 Arataki, are also well underway. This first stage of residential development will include 440 houses and the beginnings of the Port Nikau community. All commercial sections that have been available have been sold and new businesses have already started to move into their new premises, with LB Collision Repair taking up its residence in Port Nikau earlier this year.

Clare Davies-Colley, Director of the Port Nikau Development, says that it is important to the development that they employ local contractors wherever possible. “We’ve partnered with a large number of local businesses to date, including Clements Contractors who have moved up to 2,000 cubic metres per day on the first stage of residential sections, and Total Marine Services Ltd, who supplied and installed the new marina with the support of contractors such as Busck Prestressed Concrete. As locals ourselves, it’s important for us to support local businesses.” 

Last year, the Whangarei District Council forecast a 45% population increase for the district by 2051 and Mrs Davies-Colley says the Port Nikau Development has been consciously shaped over the past ten years to meet this future demand.

“Our vision is to reflect the changing housing needs of our growing city by incorporating a range of housing options available throughout the wider development, including waterfront apartments right through to terraced houses.”

A key feature of Port Nikau will be the waterfront walking and cycle trails along the four kilometres of coastline. With the new double-laned bridge and walkway/cycleway across Hāhā / Limeburners creek to be completed later this year, traffic will flow easily and this will offer residents an easy commute to the city centre, linking up with the Town Basin cycling and walking trails.