The Upper Waitematā Marine Centre is a dream coming true at Hobsonville Point.

We want this place to be where you can try sailing, rowing, and other fun water activities. It’s not just about sports, though. We want families to enjoy time together, for friends to meet up, and for everyone to learn how to look after our seas and rivers.

Our Journey So Far

Building the Marine Centre is a big job, but thanks to our passionate volunteers, we’re making progress. The Upper Waitematā Marine Centre is proudly brought to you by the Hobsonville Point Marine Sports Recreation Centre Charitable Trust (Charity Number: CC55223)

Here are some of the big steps we’ve taken:

  • Our adventure began back in 2010 when a group of keen Kiwis started dreaming about a special place by the water at Hobsonville Point. The dream? A community spot where whānau and mates could enjoy water sports, learn about marine care, and just have a good time together.

  • In a big moment for our community, the Hobsonville Yacht Club and Westlake Boys Rowing Club decided to join forces. On the 21st of July 2017, they formed a trust, pooling their passion for the water and their dedication to our young sailors and rowers.

  • By 2018, we had our first look at what this place could be. The plans were all about making the Marine Centre perfect for everyone – safe for the tamariki, respectful of our beautiful environment, and a fantastic place for water sports.

  • We broke ground on the platform build on the 9th of May 2023. This was where our dreams started to get real. Seeing the construction underway was a proud moment for all of us involved.

    We're on track to wrap up the platform by the end of March 2024. It’s been a big job, getting everything ready and making sure it’s all perfect for when we open.

    **Platform Completion Scheduled – June 2024

  • The next big step is starting the build of the Marine Centre Facility itself in July 2024. This is when we really start to see our community's vision come to life, building a place where everyone can learn, play, and look after our coasts and waters.

  • If all goes according to plan, by early 2026, we’ll be cutting the ribbon on the Upper Waitematā Marine Centre. It’ll be a place packed with activities, learning, and heaps of fun for everyone from the little ones just getting their sea legs to the old salts who’ve been sailing these waters for years.

Meet Our Trustees

  • Trustee

    Aaron Andrew represents the interests of Westlake Boys High School Rowing Society, who are a Core Stakeholder of the Trust. Aaron himself rowed for Westlake Boys High School, along with his son in more recent years, during which time Aaron was the Chairman of the Society. While his daughter rowed for Westlake Girls High School. Aaron is still active in sport regularly competing in CrossFit. Aaron brings a valuable suite of skills to the Trust, through his experience as a cofounder and the Managing Director of 4Sight Consulting (est 2001), a successful environmental and planning consultancy with offices across New Zealand. He has utilized these skills in taking a key role on behalf of the Trust in negotiations with Kāinga Ora (previously Hobsonville Land Company), advising on the design and consenting process, and working with other stakeholders.

  • Trustee

    Kerry Stotter is a Trustee appointed by Kainga Ora. He was previously a director of Hobsonville Land Company for some years, heading up its Audit, and Planning and Development Committees for a period. His professional career was as a partner of 32 years in the NZ and Auckland offices of KPMG, the international accounting firm. Subsequent to his retirement from KPMG he has held other directorships, including some chairmanships, in Auckland Regional Holdings; Sea and City Ltd (predecessor to Waterfront Auckland); Waterfront Auckland Ltd; Stracon Holdings Ltd Group of Companies; Waste Disposal Services (a JV between Auckland Council and Waste Management Ltd). And in the not for profit sector, Presbyterian Support Northern; The Council of Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa NZ; NZ Rugby Players Association.

  • CNZM – Chair

    Mike Stanley, CNZM, has chaired the Hobsonville Marine Sport and Recreation Centre Trust from its inception in 2016. Mike has had a long involvement in rowing, as a competitor, coach, commentator and administrator and is currently President of the North Shore Rowing Club. He has trained and coached on the upper Waitemata Harbour for nearly 50 years. Mike is passionate about the Upper Harbour and its marine ecology and having coached Westlake Rowing from the Point for many years has been impressed with the development led by Kāinga Ora (previously Hobsonville Land Company) to create a friendly, inclusive and sustainable community. Mike has enjoyed a wide ranging career in sports management and is currently CEO of AUT Millennium on Auckland’s North Shore and is Honorary President of the NZ Olympic Committee. He has been recognised by the North Shore City Council for services to the community and in 2018 was named a Companion of the NZ Order of Merit for services to sport.

  • Trustee

    Colin Rickett represents the interests of the Hobsonville Yacht Club and is also the Programmes Coordinator for Yachting New Zealand, steering the “Volvo Sailing... Have a Go!” initiative. With over 40 years of sailing experience, including the Sydney Hobart Race and preparing for the PIC Coastal Classic, Colin brings a wealth of nautical expertise. He transitioned from a long career at IBM, where he notably set up a Unitec facility in 19 days, to a brief stint in shipping logistics before joining Yachting New Zealand. His role focuses on growing youth participation in sailing and managing national events. The “Volvo Sailing... Have a Go!” programme, now in its 14th season, is expanding its reach with new equipment and aims to introduce sailing to more Kiwi kids. Colin has been a valued member of the Hobsonville Yacht Club and is currently serving as the Vice Commodore.

  • Trustee

    Errol Haarhoff represents the interests of the Hobsonville Point Resident’s Society (HPRS), currently numbering over 2400 members. This will grow as development at Hobsonville Point reaches completion in 2024 with an estimated population of around 11,000. Errol is a resident of Hobsonville Point and served as the Chair of the HPRS for two terms (2018-2019). Most highly appreciated is the way in which development at Hobsonville Point has embraced the enhancement of the natural environment, the creation of extensive public spaces and amenities and placed the community in direct contact with the unique waterfront setting. Errol is Emeritus Professor of Architecture at the University of Auckland, where among other roles he served as Head of School and Faculty Associate Dean: Research. He holds qualifications in architecture, urban design and urban planning. His research for the past ten years has involved housing and living at density and this include leading a research team for the national Science Challenge 11, with Hobsonville Point as one case study, research that is now widely published.

  • Trustee and Treasurer

    After 35 years in varied Senior Management roles within ASB, BNZ & KiwiBank and holds a Bachelor of Business (Finance) degree. Terry Zouch is currently General Manager of Hick Group overseeing Human Resources, Health & Safety, Finance and IT divisions, along with being representative on the Group Board. Hicks Group’s predominant business activity is within the Civil & Construction Industry and has annual revenue in excess of $100m, with current staff levels in excess of 350. As a past Chairman of Westlake Boys Rowing Society, from 2005-2014, Terry has acted on their behalf to negotiate the transition of the current 50 year rowing compound occupancy to the proposed new site and is a founding and current Trust Board member.

  • Trustee

    Alexandra Jackson-Forrester is a local home owner, and represents the interests of the Hobsonville Yacht Club, who are a core Stakeholder of the Trust. Utilizing nearly 30 years in Real Estate and other businesses, from Director of RH Commercial Real Estate in the 90’s, to her current position as Project Sales Lead with the Barfoots Projects Team, she brings a wealth of communication and organizational skills, combined with ‘nuts & bolts’ common sense. Her enthusiasm for the UWMC to succeed as an asset for the greater community will ensure the focus remains on offering exceptional opportunities for new and existing members to gain, and grow in knowledge, and skill, while extending access to the harbour and club facilities, at one of Auckland’s premier waterfront locations.

  • Trustee

    Colart Miles represents Hobsonville Yacht Club on the board, focusing on community engagement and sustainable development. Colart is a sought after management adviser and independent director specializing in Business Transformation and Innovation. Colart is a local home owner in Hobsonville Point and has been a committed volunteer "learn to sail" coach for the Hobsonville Yacht Club since 2019. Colart can often be found with the team of parent volunteers at the boat ramp in Catalina Bay on Friday evenings teaching young ones how to sail.

    Find out more: https://www.colartmiles.com/