Gold Anchor
We’re thrilled to announce that Westhaven Marina has been awarded Gold Anchor accreditation by the Marina Industries Association (MIA)! Gold Anchor accreditation is similar to star ratings for hotels, but MIA uses anchors, and we got four out of a possible five Gold Anchor rating. The Gold Anchor program has been developed by the marina industry with the objectives of raising standards and providing customer centric services. Gold Anchor marinas are subject to independent audits by industry experts and ongoing verification including customer surveys. Westhaven is New Zealand’s first marina to be awarded Gold Anchor accreditation, and one of just 240 globally across 30 countries. You can find more information about Gold Anchor here.
Team update
With the introduction of new piers and increased workloads across the team, we have recruited some new dockmasters.
Louis Spiller - Louis comes to us with a huge passion for sailing, growing up with sea scouts. He has recently worked in the commercial diving industry and has just finished a harbourmaster contract with Auckland Transport. Louis also has experience as an EMT with St John New Zealand, so is a very versatile addition to our team.
Patrick O’Meara - Patrick has been a boating enthusiast since childhood when he spent much time cruising around the Hauraki Gulf on his family’s launch. He has a background in boatbuilding and spar making, having worked on a range of vessels from America’s Cup boats to hydroplanes. Patrick also has a keen interest in environmental and ecological matters and has spent time working on the Tamaki River and Haruaki Gulf in this field.
Ben Bevin – Ben is a keen outdoorsman in any weather. Previous experience includes working as a deckhand on a charter vessel, pleasure craft boating, and other water sports in the United Kingdom.
Cassidy Chaytor – Cass grew up spending every weekend at the beach and on boats. She has a bachelor's degree from the University of Waikato, majoring in ecology and biodiversity. She is also a keen diver and certified divemaster. Cas is excited about starting her journey in the marina industry.
Farewell to Karenza Harris
We’re very sad to report that we’ll be losing our marina manager on August 12.
Karenza has been with the marina for four and a half years and in the role of marina manager for the last two and a half years.
The marina has accomplished a lot under Karenza’s leadership, including attaining Gold Anchor accreditation, coming runner-up marina of the year at the international marina industry awards last year and hitting sustainability targets to name just a few. She also led the team through Westhaven’s biggest development period to date and has set a solid foundation for the marina to continue to thrive into the future.
Karenza has accepted a new role as manager of the Defence Technology Agency (DTA), which is a business unit of the NZ Defence Force. DTA delivers applied research, exploratory development, and policy studies on science, technology, and related areas with application to military technology, force development, and operations.
Karenza has been a tremendous asset to our marina family and will be greatly missed by all her colleagues. We wish her well in her exciting new role!
“It has been a joy to work alongside such a professional like Karenza with her great business brain. The value she has added to Westhaven will be remembered for the difference she has made.” – Kevin Lidgard, Head of Marinas.
Good as Gold
Which well-known Westhaven boat owner received a Seven Sharp 'Good as Gold' award recently?
He was surprised by a camera crew and at least fifty of his former crew at his boat on H pier prior to a RNZYS Winter Series race. This skipper has helped hundreds of people into sailing over the last thirty years and if there is a race on, you'll find him out on the water!
Watch Seven Sharp on Wednesday 10 August to find out more, or pick it up on the ASB Facebook page after it's aired.
Thanks very much to the RNZYS for providing a boat and support to make this awesome surprise happen!
