Southern Spars today announced it has been appointed to build Emirates Team New Zealand’s boat for the 35th America’s Cup. New Zealand’s Southern Spars has provided masts for a range of different teams in every America’s Cup for the past 25 years, including the victorious Black Magic campaign in 1995. The boat, a 50ft foiling catamaran, will be launched early next year ahead of the Louis Vuitton Challenger Series and America’s Cup to be held in Bermuda from the beginning of May 2017. Emirates Team New Zealand said it will be its most technically-advanced yacht ever. Last month, Emirates… Read More

Cycling New Zealand partners with world-leading carbon fibre specialist, New Zealand’s Southern Spars In a classic tale of Kiwi ingenuity, New Zealand’s Southern Spars – best known for designing and manufacturing masts and rigging for the world’s fastest race yachts and most luxurious superyachts – will be providing wheels to the 2016 New Zealand track cyclists at the Rio Olympics in August. https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/sport/other/olympic-track-cyclists-get-secret-weapon-kiwi-yacht-builders Southern Spars, which was founded in 1990, is a long-time supplier to Team New Zealand. It has a well-established reputation as the best in the world for designing and manufacturing carbon fibre spars and rigging using superior… Read More

Andrew Goldfinch wondered if a full apprenticeship was right for him, so he enrolled in a Pre-Apprenticeship Limited Credit Programme (LCP) to find out. He completed the LCP, enjoyed the work and was offered a full apprenticeship at Yachting Developments. Andrew has now completed his National certificate in Boat Building (Composite) (Level 4). Andrews main focus for the future is to work overseas, possibly as part of a super yacht crew. “Finish your apprenticeship. Once that’s done you’ll be employable all around the world” -Andrew Goldfinch Read More

Like many budding yacht painters before him, Mike began his apprenticeship with Alloy Yachts International in Auckland New Zealand almost 20 years ago. After ‘doing his time’ with several of Auckland’s yacht building and painting businesses such as Fitzroy Yachts, Southern Spars and more he ventured overseas to grow and hone his skills. The highly competitive, and larger European yacht painting industry beckoned and Mike eventually landed a job in Italy. Whilst there he advanced his body of knowledge about his trade and learned many of the innovative techniques he brought back to New Zealand. World class yacht painting company, One10 was founded by Mike Vitali… Read More

Morgan Ford completed an auto electrician apprenticeship straight after leaving school. After working on a friends boat in Vanuatu and Tonga, he developed a strong interest in working on boats and putting in to practice the skills he has learned during his training. Morgan works at Mainland Batteries Ltd. and building on his interest in boats, he has completed his apprenticeship in Marine Electrical and Electronics. “Moving from cars to boats is a logical, straight forward transition” -Morgan Ford Read More

The year end and hard work of many apprentices was once again rewarded at the annual end-of-year Graduation. Read More

The annual NZMAC ITO Marine Trades Challenge was once again a huge success. Read More

New Zealand Marine and Composite Qualification (Level 1 – 6) The NZ Marine and Composites Industry Training Organisation (NZMAC ITO) has led the review for the marine and composite sectors. The qualification development is complete and these qualifications are intended to help New Zealand learners, employers, and marine and composite industries build skills, careers, and businesses. This is the suite of qualifications approved by NZQA (Click on the image to see an enlarged version). If you want to read the qualification document go to the NZQA website and insert the reference number associated with each qualification title e.g 3056 if… Read More

Marine Electrics NZ has a full time position available for a qualified 230 Volt Marine Electrician with experience in low voltage DC systems. Much of the work has close parallels to the duties of an Automotive Electrician, as well as an industrial electrician working with 230V. Your main role is electronic & electrical fault finding, service and install, however on occasions the job will also require some basic mechanical, plumbing and boat carpentry such as cutting out panels etc, so our preference would be someone that possess a range of complementary skills & and has an eye for detail. This… Read More

Burnsco is New Zealand’s biggest retailer of marine and motorhome accessories. Our fabulous store in Mount Wellington is our ‘baby’, having opened only last September 2015. We’re looking for an ASSISTANT BRANCH MANAGER to play a key role in continuing to develop this new branch. In return for your hard work and dedication, you will be entitled to fantastic benefits including: • Excellent remuneration package • Coaching and Training to set you up for success • Fantastic staff discount on all our products • A monthly uncapped team bonus scheme • Advancement opportunities and career prospects in our growing national… Read More