Benchmarking Opua as a Port of Entry

A new retail and office building designed to enhance Opua's Port of Entry status will be officially opened by Far North Mayor Wayne Brown in November.

The 800sq metre two-storey complex will become the new headquarters for Far North Holdings Ltd's Opua Marina operations, providing the opportunity for Port of Entry agencies including the NZ Customs Service and MAF Biosecurity NZ to move into dedicated facilities in the vacated Opua Marina building.

"The intention is to expand the marina in future and the relocation of the marina administration will bring operations closer to the centre of activity. This means that Port of Entry agencies can also be located to vastly improved accommodation greatly assisting in the deployment of their areas of responsibility," Chairman of Directors Tony Norman said today.

"The company realises the economic significance to Opua and the Bay of Islands generally of continuing to attract the blue water cruising fleet and offshore visitors to New Zealand's northernmost Port of Entry.

"The more we can do to improve facilities and encourage the private sector to expand maritime services, the greater the opportunity to attract increasing numbers of offshore vessels to Opua.

"Local businesses have stepped up their South Pacific marketing campaign and the company is keen to make sure we play our part in selling Opua as both a Port of Entry and the preferred maintenance venue for the offshore fleet," Mr Norman said.

The new retail centre has been built by Henwood Builders Ltd of Kaikohe using a number of local sub trades.

It will accommodate a commercial laundry, café, deli and gifts outlet and also Far North Holdings administration. By moving the administration from the existing building it will provide for the maritime training organisation, Mahurangi Tech, to expand their existing accommodation. The project overall is expected to cost $1.4million.

The building will be officially opened at 3 pm on 04 November 2008.