Ocean Sailor Drops Anchor at Tamaki Marine Park

Tamaki Marine Park is home to a diverse community of boating enthusiasts – including some real characters! Among them is Ross Field, a true blue Kiwi sailor whose adventures have taken him around the world’s oceans.

For the past three years, Ross and his pride and joy “Ruru” – a 15-metre Pelin – have called the Tamaki Marine Park Marina their home port. Ross’s eyes light up as he speaks about his decision to base himself at Tamaki Marine Park.

“I’ve sailed the world’s oceans, but there’s something special about being up river here,” he says. “It’s serene, private and protected from the weather, which is a big plus for any sailor.”

Ross also enjoys the scenic cruise to and from the marina. “I actually enjoy the trip in and out. It gives me a chance to have a cup of tea, relax, and cruise along. Sometimes, I even let my guests take the helm – it’s a great way to share the boating experience.”

Ross also appreciates the relaxed pace of boating here, along with the exceptional service provided by the staff. “The team here is incredibly helpful – they really do bend over backwards to make sure you have everything you need. And compared to other marinas, TMP is reasonably priced. It’s a win-win situation for boaties like me.”

The icing on the cake? Over the years, Ross has become good mates with some of the other marina tenants. “I’ve got to know my neighbours,” he says. “It’s nice here – I really like it and would recommend it to any Auckland boatie.”

For Ross Field, a man who has sailed the seven seas, finding a home at Tamaki Marine Park has been a bit like finding a hidden treasure. If you see Ross, make sure you say hi – we’re sure he’ll be able to tell you a few good boating tales!

Gloss Boats work their magic on the Outer Reef 630 “Amokura”

The team at Gloss Boats Marine Spraying are true experts, bringing a wealth of expertise in repaints, antifouling, Propspeed application, interior boat varnishing, and general repairs and touch-ups. In tandem with the Tamaki Marine Park Haulout team, they recently worked on a beautiful Outer Reef 630 named “Amokura”. We caught up with Rod, the vastly experienced lead painter at Gloss Boats Marine Spraying, to see what the project involved.

We talked to Todd who is a long time dry stack customer and what he has to say about the benefits of having his boats in our facilities.

We talked to Joe, our haulout guru at Tamaki Marine Park and asked him what his secret is for getting boats in and out of the water safely.

The Tamaki River is more than our ‘road’ in and out of Tamaki Marine Park – it’s a living, breathing ecosystem that’s home to a variety of bird life.

One of the key sites along the river is the Tahuna Torea nature reserve (off Glendowie – on your left as you reach open waters). It’s an important shorebird roost within the Tamaki Ecological District. The diverse habitats at Tahuna Torea attract a wide variety of coastal and shorebirds, each adding to this rich wildlife region.

Next time you’re heading out to sea, take a look around and see how many species you can spot!

Some of the birds that call Tamaki River home:

• Tōrea (South Island Pied Oystercatcher): Known for their striking black and white plumage, these birds are often seen foraging along the shoreline.
• Tōrea Pango (Variable Oystercatcher): These birds are a common sight, known for their loud calls and active behaviour.
• Taranui (Caspian Tern): The largest of the terns, with a distinctive red bill, the Caspian Tern is an impressive sight as it dives for fish.
• Poaka (Pied Stilt): These elegant birds are easily recognisable by their long, pink legs and black-and-white colours – often wading in shallow waters.
• Kuaka (Bar-tailed Godwit): Famous for their long migratory journeys, these birds are often spotted on Tamaki mudflats.
• Huahou (Red Knot): Another long-distance migrant, the Red Knot can be seen in flocks, particularly during their migratory stopovers.
• Pohowera (Banded Dotterel): These small, plump birds are noted for their banded chests and quick movements along the beaches.
• Tūturiwhatu (New Zealand Dotterel): A threatened species, these birds are a conservation priority, with efforts underway to protect their nesting sites.
• Ngutuparore (Wrybill): Unique for their curved bill, Wrybills use their unusual bill to forage under stones.
• Tarāpunga (Red-billed Gulls): Common around the coast, these gulls are easily identified by their bright red bills and legs.
• Kōtare (Kingfisher): A distinctive bird with a green-blue back, buff to yellow undersides and a large black bill.
• Kāruhiruhi (Pied Shags): Often seen perched on rocks or trees drying their wings, Pied Shags are skilled divers, catching fish underwater.
• Matuku (White-faced Heron): With their graceful stance and elegant plumage, these herons are frequently observed stalking their prey in shallow waters.
• Matuku Moana (Reef Heron): Less common, these solitary birds can be seen hunting along rocky shores and tidal areas.

As we said, there are a lot of birds in our local waters and along the shoreline! Which is even more reason to be aware of and respect this special area.