The Team
Te Rōpū
The Westhaven team are here to help. Please contact us by email, phone, or visit the Marina office at Unit 2, 135 Westhaven Drive, Westhaven Marina.
Kevin Lidgard
General Manager Marinas
Previously the Marina Manager of Westhaven. Kevin now looks after all Panuku operated marinas including Westhaven, Viaduct and Silo. Kevin has a long history in the marine industry including a two-year stint as General Manager of Polaris Marine in Sydney. His wealth of knowledge will help drive major refurbishment works and facility improvements.
Karenza Harris
Marina Manager
Karenza's history with the maritime sector started in 1990 when she joined the NZ Navy and served for 6 years. Since then, Karenza has been in and out of maritime based roles, always being drawn back to the industry. Karenza has been at Westhaven since 2018, and in the role of Marina Manager Since January 2020. A self-confessed IT geek, she has been paramount in moving some of the paper-based systems over to digital and has been highly involved in the new website design and development. Mum to three grown daughters, and Nana to three adorable granddaughters, Karenza certainly has her hands full! Currently in her spare time Karenza is completing her MBA through Massey University.
Gareth Wilson
Maintenance Manager
Gareth Wilson comes from an Auckland boat building family and is the son of Bob Wilson of Brin Wilson Boats. He kick-started his superyacht career as a crew member on a Viaduct Marina-based vessel in 1999. After living in Spain for several years, Gareth retuned to New Zealand to work in the Bayswater Marina’s Operations Team where he worked his way up to Marina Manager. Gareth is one of New Zealand’s few Certified Marina Managers and brings with him a wealth of knowledge and expertise.
David Marginet
Quality Manager Marinas
David started his career in the marine industry as captain of one of the most sought-after superyachts in Barcelona. He joined Westhaven Marina in 2017, progressing through different roles he is now the Quality Manager Marinas, ensuring a smooth-running marina and ensuring that Westhaven users get the best experience possible.
Matt Young
Marina Systems Manager
Matt has a long and varied history within the Information Technology (I.T) sector, primarily in software development. Matt came to Westhaven, towards the end of 2019, to help with the implementation of Pacsoft's Marina Mangement System (MMS/NG), staying on afterwards to provide ongoing user support and help look after systems. To ensure Matt's spare time is kept to a minimum, he has two young teenagers and old house in constant need of renovation.
Lisa Bricknell
Customer Service Team Leader
Lisa Joined Westhaven Marina in 2019 after relocating from the UK. Her Psychology background stand her in good stead for meeting the needs of all our customers. Lisa has completed over 50 ‘Parkruns’ (a 5K run every Saturday) locations so far include Owairaka, Western Springs, Cornwall Park and Tauranga. Beach walks with the dog are also a favourite pass time.
Xanthe Bowater
Dockmaster Operations Administrator
Xanthe has worked in the maritime industry since leaving high school. After 6 years travelling the world, working on superyachts, she returned to home shores in 2019 to pursue a career in the NZ marina industry. Xanthe is an avid windsurfer and sailor in her spare time.
Kiara Hamilton
Marina Cadet
Kiara has recently finished high school and has been working at Westhaven since June 2021. The role of being a cadet caught her attention as she has a background of sailing and enjoys being outdoor. She is eager to learn and thrilled to see where this opportunity will take her.
Daniel Pickles
Marina Cadet
Pickles has always been interested in working in the marine industry, coming from a background of sea scouts and sea cadets, he started working for Westhaven Marina since March 2020 and has absolutely loved working here.
Ben Harris
Dockmaster
Ben has 33 years in the Maritime industry, starting out working on fishing vessels as a 17 year old before qualifying as a commercial skipper, and working in the charter boat industry, and for the Sea Cleaners, a charity focused on cleaning up rubbish from NZ,s coastlines. He joined Westhaven Marina in October 2020 as a Dockmaster.
Carl Menzies
Dockmaster
Carl has 26 years of experience in the merchant navy, serving as a Deck Officer on various vessels carrying; containers, bulk cargo and petroleum/crude oil. He has been with Westhaven for the past 7 years and enjoys working around boats and fellow boaties.
Dave Teura
Dockmaster
Having spent 13 years as a policeman, Dave’s move to the night crew as a Dockmaster was a welcome shift. Another family man, Dave enjoys the peace and quiet that he can get during the day when he’s not working. He also enjoys horse-riding and getting out and about.
James Shaw
Dockmaster
Our enthusiastic night, and occasional day shift Dockmaster, James has been with the team for two and a half years. Always eager to help, we enjoy having him on the team. You may also see him entertaining crowds as a pro wrestler!
Mark Woodroofe
Dockmaster
Mark joined the Westhaven team in 2019. He had previously worked as a constable in the NZ Police and before that as a youth worker in South Auckland. Mark grew up sailing his P-class and participating in competitive rowing, and enjoys every opportunity to be out on the water in his role as a Dockmaster.
Martin Stowers
Dockmaster
Over 20 years in the maritime industry, including working on Auckland based luxury charter boats during Americas Cups in 2000 and 2003. A few years in the local boat building industry. 10 plus years offshore working on superyachts. Started at Westhaven in 2013. In his spare time, Martin is actively involved in the sport of American Football in NZ. A local family based club which he has been involved with for over 40yrs.
Natalia Teller
Dockmaster
Joining us in 2018, outdoor enthusiast Nat loves to get out on the water. An advocate for local wildlife and the natural environment, Westhaven is a great space for her to share her passion, her enthusiasm and get stuck in as a valuable member of the team.
Omar Gomaa
Dockmaster
Omar is the newest addition to team Westhaven, joining up during the covid 2021 lockdown. Omar loves working on or near the water. He enjoys water sports and has been boating since he was little with his father. In his spare time Omar enjoys fishing, and anything to do with the ocean. Omar formerly worked in Dubai UAE at Aqua Jetski, working on Jetboats. Omar is also a Rescue Diver, having completed and logged 135 dives.
Perry Wallen
Dockmaster
Perry has been in the Security related industry for 43 years. His first introduction to the Maritime sector was in 1986 as the Security Manager for our first Americas Cup (KZ 7) In Perth Western Australia. He started at Westhaven Marina as a Dockmaster 15 years ago (2007) and enjoys the interaction with our customers.
Tony Smith
Dockmaster
Tony has been onboard as a Dockmaster since 2010 coming from a background in the music and publishing fields, has learnt a lot in that time and continues to enjoy the customer interaction the wellbeing of the marina.
Heidi Clarke
Operations Assistant
Heidi joined the Westhaven Marina team in 2010 to support the management team with purchasing and contract administration. On a fine sunny day there is nowhere Heidi would rather be then out in the harbour fishing with family and friends.
Nagel Staff
Marina Maintenance Project Coordinator
Nagel is one of our longest serving team members having been with the marina for over 14 years. He has a background in Engineering and was a Marine Safety Service Technician. In his spare time he is a Surf Lifeguard at Muriwai beach.
Nikola (Nik) Sobocanec
Marina Maintenance
Nik‘s strong passion for the water and boats has brought him to Westhaven Marina in 2018. He started as a Dockmaster and has since progressed to Maintenance Crew. He enjoys vibrant environment our Marina offers and loves to share experiences with customers from all parts of the world. He worked in various roles in Croatian Police for 8 years as this is where his formal education comes from. As a keen sailor you can see him almost every weekend with his family out in the Hauraki Gulf.
Robert Temoana
Marina Maintenance
Robert has been part of Westhaven marina since 2018 first as a dockmaster now is part of Maintenance team. Robert previously worked on a off shore merchant boat as a deckhand for four years and has been around the world as far as American Samoa and as close as the Chatham Islands 44 south of Aotearoa. Working in and around water has been fulfilling and enjoyable.
Kelly Handley
Customer Service Representative
Kelly has been with Westhaven Marina since September 2020, previously working (pre-Covid) for Panuku at the information kiosks at Wynyard Quarter and Queens Wharf. My role as a Customer Service Rep is varied and the team at Westhaven Marina are great to work with, not to mention we have the best office view in the city! My favorite place I’ve ever visited in the world is Jamaica (yeah mon!).
Trevor Wallace
Customer Service Representative
Since 2015 Trevor has been part of the Customer Service team, initially on a casual and since Covid in a permanent role. A keen motorcyclist and boatie he enjoys working in the Westhaven environment.
Israel Paterson
Customer Service Representative
Israel (Izzy) Paterson is our newest Customer Service Representative to join the team. Izzy has a strong ICT background previously studying for a bachelor's in information communications technology at UCOL in Palmerston North before taking a break to move north to Auckland. Izzy has a strong customer service history and is a welcome addition to the front office team.
Guy Satterthwaite
Logistics Team Leader
Guy has worked in management and logistics across a few industries including boat building. 5 years ago after many years in Australia Guy moved his family home to Auckland to live. In his spare time Guy is a passionate sailor and outdoorsman.
Poko Taripo
Customer Service Representative
Poko is the newest recruit for our Customer Service Team. Poko previously worked in healthcare throughout the pandemic. She is very passionate about food, and being in the water whenever she can. Poko is excited to be joining the Eke Panuku team. "We definitely have an epic view of Tamaki Makaurau".
Louis Spiller
Dockmaster
Louis comes to us with a huge passion for sailing, growing up with sea scouts. Recently Louis has been working in the commercial diving industry and has just finished a harbour master contract with Auckland Transport. Louis is a very versatile addition to our team with experience as an EMT with St John NZ.
Patrick O’Meara
Dockmaster
Patrick has a passion for boating since childhood, when he spent much time cruising the Hauraki Gulf on the family launch. Patrick has a background in boatbuilding and spar making, from Americas 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
Dockmaster
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
Dockmaster
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.