Cruise passengers have been delighted by the range of activities on offer in and around Whangārei and local businesses have declared the 2024 ‘mini’ cruise season, spanning February and March, a success.

These were the first scheduled cruise visits to Whangārei-terenga-parāoa. First into the harbour and to tie up at Northport on Sunday February 4 was the cruise ship ‘Regatta’ with about 604 passengers on board. She was met in the golden light of dawn with a water cannon salute by tugs opposite the Whangārei Heads, before a pōwhiri conducted by hapū Patuharakeke.

Significantly, all but 11 of her passengers chose to go ashore to experience what Whangārei and the district have to offer.

‘Regatta’ called again on Thursday 22 February, this time with 611 passengers, and was followed on Thursday 7 March by the smaller ‘Seven Seas Navigator’ with 311 guests on board.

Lesley Ashcroft, Whangarei District Council customer services manager, said she and her colleagues had been speaking with the cruise passengers as they disembarked from their coaches in the Whangārei Town Basin.

“They’ve loved the tours they’ve been on and the feedback they’ve given us is that our area has so much to offer, and they’d like to come back to explore in more depth.”

Joost de Bruin, director of the Hundertwasser Arts Centre, agrees.

“Some passengers told us that Whangārei was their best stop, with lots to see and do. They particularly liked the fact that the city is easy to explore, with much of what they wanted to do within easy walking distance.”

Visitors were able to select from a wider range of tours covering the Town Basin and attractions such as Whangārei Falls and the Quarry Gardens, and further afield to Matakohe and Waipu. Activities on offer included fishing in Bream Bay, horse riding and guided walks.

Laurel Belworthy, director of Kiwi North in Maunu, said the cruise experience had given her team the opportunity to review their product and develop it to meet the needs and requirements of new and different markets.

“Everything we heard over the course of the three visits was that the passengers could easily stay longer and do more. Whangārei has so much to offer the cruise market.”

Several retailers and hospitality providers described the mini cruise season as a “game changer”. Matt Goodison, general manager of No.8, Loco and The Quay said all three local restaurants had thrived.

“The opportunity to showcase the region to an international crowd has been really positive,” he said. “Not only for hospitality and tourism but for all the businesses around the area.

“Coming on the back of three years of super-challenging times, this new market has been just the tonic we needed.”

Kathryn Beros, owner of the nearby Burning Issues Gallery, echoed this.

“It’s been overwhelmingly positive. People have been coming off the busses and buying our entire range of stock. And it’s been noticeable how nice they are – they’re not just here for the shopping, they’re genuinely interested in our local communities and the wider area.

The last word goes to Tim Robinson, owner of Bernina Northland and President of the not-for-profit business support organisation NorthChamber.

“What’s been awesome to see is the range of products that this brand-new market is interested in. We’ve had people venturing beyond the Town Basin into the CBD, buying yarns and wools and quilting materials.

“It’s been a boon for our town, truly. These people have been spending money, and it’s business we wouldn’t have had otherwise.”

The New Zealand cruise season kicks off again towards the end of this year, with five cruise ships currently scheduled to call at Northport in the 2024/2025 season. The first, slated for Saturday 18 January, is the ‘Azamara Pursuit’, capable of hosting around 700 passengers.

If you have an attraction or excursion in Bream Bay or Whangārei that you would like to offer to cruise guests, please let us know by emailing cruise@northport.co.nz.