Criteria and Information
NZMOA Marina of the Year
This award recognises the marina that is achieving to its best potential, regardless of size, age or geographic location. This takes into account all aspects of marina management, and seeks demonstration of excellence in application and vision.
Are you ready to get started?
Stage 1: Your written submission
Your submission consists of four questions that will provide an overview of your marina or boatyard.
Describe your facility – tell us its history, ownership, capacity, facilities, amenities and staff, and highlights
List some of the achievements or highlights from the last 24 months. This might include occupancy or financial trends, projects delivered, or other successes that you are proud of. What are the reasons that you think you have achieved these successes? Provide evidence and detail where possible.
What future plans do you have for your marina? Describe your vision and goals, and how you intend to reach them explaining any challenges you are working to overcome.
Is there anything else that you would like the judges to know about your facility or entry?
As a guide, your responses should be no longer than 500 words each. We recommend that you prepare your responses in a separate document and then copy and paste them into this form when you are ready. Entries close strictly at 5pm on Wednesday 22 May 2024. The entry fee is $250+gst per category.
Please complete one form per category that you enter.
Click here for conditions of entry, more guidelines and advice.
Stage 2: Finalists announced and next stage of judging
The judging panel will review your entry and NZMOA will announce finalists in August.
You may be asked to participate in a video interview with judges, to answer further questions in writing, or a site visit.
Judges may have specific questions or seek more information about the following aspects in relation to finalists in this category:
Vision, goals, and outcomes
Financial health
Marketing and communications
Customer service and satisfaction
Environmental responsibility
Risk management
Training and staff development
Industry and community involvement
Stage 3: Winners are announced
Award winners will be announced at the formal NZMOA Marinas and Boatyard Conference and AGM in September!
All recipients should have a representative available to collect their award.
As a winner, you’ll receive a certificate, signature NZMOA Marina of the Year Winner flag, publicity, and industry kudos! You’ll also receive a special ‘winner’ icon to add to your website, social media or email signature.
Useful Information
Conditions of Entry
Entries are open to all NZMOA members. Winners must be present at the conference dinner to collect their certificate.
An entry fee for each entry in the Marina, Boatyard and Environmental categories applies of $250. This will be invoiced to you on receipt of your entry.
All entries must only be submitted via the electronic form. We recommend that you finalise your entry before loading it into the form, and save a copy of your responses. If you don't receive acknowledgement, please contact us to ensure your entry is received.
Applicants should not incur undue expense in presentation of their applications.
Judging of winners for the category may include a site visit or a video/voice conversation.
The Judges’ decision is final.
To avoid doubt, any confidential information should be labelled as confidential.
Past winners are welcome to re-enter. Judges will be looking for evidence of significant improvement since your win.
Tips for writing a winning entry
Showing judges evidence of your vision and achievements in Stage 1.
These awards are about how your operation is achieving to its best potential. 'Potential' means different things to different marinas and boatyards. Ensure that whatever this is for your marina or boatyard is captured in your entry.
Really think hard about what you do that is over and above 'business as usual'. It's important your entry should acknowledge that you are running a sound operation that is doing the basics right, but the value you deliver to your staff, customers and perhaps your region or country, over and above the basics is what creates a winning entry.
No entrant or entry is perfect. If there is an aspect of your operation you know needs improvement, it's important to acknowledge the work that is underway and the progress you have made. Judges take this into account. Question 4 asks 'Is there anything else that you would like the judges to know about your facility or entry?' and is a perfect place to include this.
The judging panel
Each category is judged by a panel of three judges across three stages.
This includes at least one independent judge brought in for their fresh perspective and ability ask questions. It also includes experienced specialists from the marina and boatyard industry who understand the complexities of operations.
A facilitator is employed to ensure that judging is robust and comprehensive and takes in a wide range of factors.
Because the marina industry is small, we don't reveal the names of all of our judges, but we do go through a process to ensure there is no conflict of interest and that they are appropriate people who can have robust discussions to make very good decisions.