Tony Mair, developer of over 6000 marina berths throughout New Zealand and the South Pacific, over 18 completed projects, has announced his retirement, and a highly experienced trio are ready to commence management of Waiheke Marina (formerly Kennedy Point).
“After 50 years as a professional engineer, with 35 of them focussing solely on developing marinas, it’s time to retire and take a well-earned break”, Mair said.
Tony was involved in the development of Westpark, Pine Harbour, GulfHarbour and Bayswater marinas, Tutukaka and Opua marinas in Northland, Able Point and Townsville marinas in North Queensland and Sentosa marina in Singapore. Responsible for the development of Orakei marina in 2006 Mair leaves behind a celebrated career inmaritime development.
His most recent project, a 180 berth marina at Kennedy Point on Waiheke Island, drew local opposition during the consenting phase and significant protest during construction
However, with a strong team behind him, including his daughter, Sarah Mair, and an experienced legal, project management and marina operations personnel, Mair is proud of the fact that the project was recently completed and opened in November.
“Kennedy Point, now renamed as Waiheke Marina, will go down in my memory as one of the most challenging I have done. Bringing new technology to the southern hemisphere always has its difficulties, but we wanted to do something exceptional for Waiheke, and a floating attenuation system just made sense for this location.”
“The protest during construction, media attention, legal challenges, COVID-19restrictions, contractor delays – all led to incredible stress on the whole team”, Mair concedes.
Mair’s third ownership share in the completed marina, as well as Sarah’s share, have been acquired by existing shareholders and a new, but experienced, face from the marina industry, who will operate the marina going forward
“Sarah did an incredible job over many years managing the marketing and sale of the berths at Kennedy Point, successfully selling over 95% of them prior to completion. However, she has decided to keep building on her sales experience and will be moving on to other things”, Mair says.
Waiheke Marina has recently opened and provides 180 recreational berths, but with multiple short stay rental options for visiting boaties who can use the marina as a base to explore Waiheke Island and the Hauraki Gulf beyond.
Announcing the next generation of marina management
Tony and Sarah’s involvement in the development will be succeeded by Kitt Littlejohn, Mark Schmack, and Tom Warren:
Mark has a decade of experience managing Orakei Marina, while Kitt brings extensive legal, planning and governance skills to the operating business. Kitt and Mark have been involved in the project since its inception.
Tom Warren will be a director and co-manager of Waiheke Marina alongside Mark from mid-April. Tom is a Certified Marina Manager (via American Marina Institute) and has been involved in the marine business sector since 1991.
Tom has previously managed Westhaven, Silo, Viaduct, Downtown, and Gulf Harbour marinas, and was also involved in the Americas Cup Village upgrade prior to the 2000 AC in the Viaduct. He has also held numerous marine governance roles – as a Board member for NZ Marine, Board & Chairman of the Marine Industry Training Organisation for NZ and actively involved in the Executive of the NZ Marina Operators association.
Tom joins Waiheke Marina after managing the Heron Marina Group, Swedish Floats marina pontoon manufacturing business, where he had a critical role in the manufacture of the large pontoons used to create Waiheke Marina.
