Clean Marinas began as part of New Zealand's clean marina accreditation programme -- the kind of .org.nz that government websites link to and tourism bodies reference. We were the publication arm: writing up marina assessments, documenting best practices, and helping marina operators understand what accreditation actually required.
When the formal programme wound down, we kept going. The institutional backing disappeared, but the knowledge and the relationships remained. Today we cover marina life, coastal destinations, and the culture of recreational boating in NZ waters. The environmental conscience that started us remains: good boating and clean water are the same conversation.
We write about New Zealand's marinas, harbours, and coastal infrastructure with the detail and honesty that comes from actually spending time at these places. Our coverage spans six areas:
We have no commercial relationships with the marinas or facilities we cover. We say what we find. If the showers are grim, the pontoons are past their best, or the approach channel is poorly marked, we will tell you. Equally, when a marina gets it right -- good facilities, competent management, genuine environmental commitment -- we are happy to say so.
Everything we publish is written for New Zealand boaties. A reader in Sydney might find the site interesting, but it is written for someone mooring in Whangarei or launching at Tairua. Local knowledge matters, and we write from it.
The Clean Marinas team has been covering New Zealand's marina culture, coastal destinations, and sustainable boating practices since 2006. We bring together practical local knowledge and a commitment to kaitiakitanga -- keeping our waters clean and our marinas welcoming.
Questions, corrections, or suggestions? Reach us at hello@cleanmarinas.org.nz.