The Apprenticeship Boost application system is now live and will run for 20 months. Under this scheme, an employer of an apprentice in their first year will be eligible for $1,000 support per month, and an employer of an apprentice in their second year is eligible for $500 per month for a maximum period of 20 months. To be eligible, apprentices must be part of a TEC-approved New Zealand Apprenticeship or Managed Apprenticeship programme and have done less than 24 months of their training. Payments will be made to the employer of eligible apprentices, who must continue to pay at… Read More

At the recent NZ Marine Annual General Meeting, held 16 June 2020, members agreed to the establishment of a NZ Marine & Composites Training Academy. This exciting new initiative will further the world-leading training provided by the NZ Marine & Composites (NZMAC) Transitional Industry Training Organisation, and seamlessly transition existing apprentices to the new Training Academy. The Government’s reforms of the vocational education sector https://www.tec.govt.nz/rove/reform-of-vocational-education/ which will see the disestablishment of industry training organisations (ITOs) has provided the marine and composites industries a unique opportunity to pursue a dedicated training academy. This will be through an application to NZQA to… Read More

After several months of close collaboration between the NZ Marine Export Group and New Zealand Trade & Enterprise we are excited to now share the new Marine Story, Edge Ahead – a marketing initiative designed to build awareness and preference for New Zealand’s boating and marine products, technology and services in key offshore markets. This video is a compelling way of promoting the New Zealand Marine sector internationally and is intended for use by New Zealand businesses who are currently exporting or looking to export, as well as organisations such as NZ Embassies/international NZTE offices involved in promoting and building… Read More

Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders are proud to announce their latest custom project, an 18m high-speed, full-carbon sport-fisher from Dennis Harjamaa of Artnautica Yacht Design. The Artnautica 60 is a combination of light-weight and extremely efficient hull dynamics.  This combined with Volvo Penta’s latest generation D11 IPS 800s results in a boat capable of both 30+ knot speed, and long passage-making of 1200+ nm at hull-speed of 10 knots. Designer Dennis Harjamaa: “This boat is all about efficiency, sea-keeping, and performance. Three key decisions were made at the outset: The use of Volvo’s IPS2 propulsion system, to go with a low-profile shape… Read More

As a student at St Peters College Auckland, Josh was a passionate rower.  His involvement in the sport and an enthusiasm for boats created an interest that Josh decided to pursue as a career. Enter Tracey Eaton, NZMAC ITO Transition Advisor for the Launch it, School to Work programme. Tracey visited Josh at school to discuss the marine and composite pathway options.  Traditional boat building was the area Josh chose to explore and introductions followed by work experience organised. Josh had a comfortable mix of work for one day per week while still attending school. After a couple of months,… Read More

Yachting Developments is pleased to confirm the safe delivery of 34.3-metre Al Duhail and subsequent safe arrival into her home port in Qatar. After launching in Auckland, New Zealand, on the 22 January 2020 she formally handed over to her owner in February 2020 before travelling to Doha from New Zealand. Her exceptional performance on this 8,000nm maiden cruise is testament to the skillset of all involved in her design and construction. Al Duhail profile – image Chris Jack Al Duhail is an all-carbon motoryacht sportfisher that was commissioned by experienced owners who were looking to upgrade their previous sportfisher… Read More

As part of an interview with NZ Marine, Christian Stimson, principal of Stimson Yacht Design and Naval Architecture, comments on how he’s using his roles as President of RINA NZ Division and Industry Lecturer at AUT to help bridge the gap between academia and industry. Christian Stimson Credit – Graeme Finch I have been running my own design practice for 32 years, from when I graduated, based initially in the UK with the last 10 years in New Zealand. You can’t help over that length of time start to see patterns and repeated situations. The most recent Global Financial Crisis… Read More

2020 is off to a busy start for Yachting Developments, with the Auckland-based yard’s latest superyacht – 33-metre Al Duhail (Hull 1017) – launching on 22 January 2020. Al Duhail safely entered the water in Hobsonville before travelling to Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour where she will undergo final finishing work ahead of sea trials. Al Duhail and the Yachting Developments team. Photo: Georgia Schofield Al Duhail is an all-carbon sportfisher, featuring naval architecture and design work by Warwick Yacht Design. Her interior was developed by Yachting Developments’ specialist interior team in conjunction with the owner. The owner’s interior brief was for… Read More

Further to the NZ Government’s request for consultation for their proposed changes to vocational education in New Zealand, NZ Marine & Composites ITO consulted with member companies and employers and on Friday 5 April made the final submission as per below. NZ MACITO Submission on Review of Vocational Education   Read More

The NZ Marine & Composites Industry Training Organisation wish to keep you well informed on the NZ Government’s request for consultation for their proposed changes to vocational training in New Zealand. As an employer involved in apprenticeship training through our NZ Marine & Composites Industry Training Organisation, we wish to keep you well informed on the NZ Government’s request for consultation for their proposed changes to vocational training in New Zealand. Key points from Government announcement on 13 February 2019 – For consultation: 1.To combine the 16 polytechnics into a single NZ Institute of Skills and Technology (IST). 2.To roll… Read More