Port Taranaki is leading a study into the feasibility of a marina being developed in the harbour near the Lee Breakwater.

Port Taranaki owns and maintains the Lee Breakwater, the adjacent carpark, the boat ramp, the children’s fishing jetty, the Eastern Reclamation and Ocean View Parade (in partnership with Ngāti Te Whiti). An existing privately owned and operated marina exists adjacent to the Lee Breakwater.

“As a community-owned company, we aim to be profitable and sustainable for the community,” Port Taranaki chief executive Guy Roper said.

“To ensure this, we are continually working to diversify the trade that moves across the berths and to maximise the use of our assets, which includes investigating how Port Taranaki land can be best utilised.”

In 2018, Port Taranaki engaged with stakeholders as to possible future uses for the Eastern Reclamation.

“We had great feedback from stakeholders and this marina study will build on that work,” Mr Roper said.

In its Annual Plan for 2020-21, the New Plymouth District Council approved $50,000 funding towards the marina feasibility study.

“We provided a scope of the study, from which the funding was approved. Port Taranaki will meet any further funding required for this phase of the work,” Mr Roper said.

“We are now in the process of engaging a suitably qualified organisation to conduct the marina study, which includes an economic assessment.”

Mr Roper said there was no timeframe at this point as to when the study would be completed. The findings would be presented to Port Taranaki and NPDC representatives and the recommendations fully considered.

“This study will give us a good understanding of whether a marina is a feasible option for the New Plymouth harbour area and, depending on the findings, help us determine the next steps,” Mr Roper said.

“While recreation and leisure are not part of our core business, we are open to discussing options with potential investors for the area between the Eastern Reclamation and Lee Breakwater. However, any ventures, such as a marina, will need to have a proven business case and be self-sustaining.”