yachties of new zealand

WELCOME TO YONZ

Welcome to YONZ

Cruise into your future, life before yachting, life while yachting, life after yachting.

What is Superyachting?

Superyachting is a professional career where you are employed to live onboard a Superyacht based in the worlds most tropical, prestigious or remote places. Here you will be trained to provide the highest level of service to the rich and famous people of the world, either through silver service and five star cuisine  as a ‘Stewardess’ or a ‘Chef’. Otherwise ensuring the yachts engines and all of its systems run smoothly as an ‘Engineer’, or making sure the yacht looks a billion bucks while entertaining your guests with every type of water sports under the sun as a legendary ‘Deckhand’.

Why Superyachting?

Superyachting is your ticket to travel the world on a luxurious yacht and getting paid very well while doing so. You will develop yourself personally and professionally, be provided with extraordinary career growth, learn skills you never even thought you ever would, and establish a fantastic international network; all the while setting yourself up financially for life.

Why use YONZ?

The processes and systems in yachting can be very confusing and overwhelming. That’s why we decided to create YONZ; to make make it as quick, easy, and as simple as possible to start your career, guide you through, and assist in completing your career.

How do I get started?

Easy, just click on the ‘Life Before Yachting’ tab, and follow the simple step by step process that we have laid out for you.

Let's set sail!

Start your adventure today by subscribing to us., you’ll receive the latest updates on the world on new zealand yachties, ‘follow us on instagram @yachtiesof_nz', subscribe for the latest updates.

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The Before Yachting section takes those interested through the basics from STCW and ENG-1, to accommodation, visas, and what to do once you arrive overseas. Life WhileYachting shows Kiwi yachties the processes to go through, overcome and correct conflicting information around. For example, some of the challenges faced by NZ crew include getting your money back to NZ and becoming a NZ non-tax resident. Life After Yachting covers everything from international money transfers to tax and accounting to shore-based employment and real estate.

“We spent two years designing and modifying the website, so it is simple but informative, user-friendly, and interactive as possible,” co-owner Hamish Taylor states. Weaved into each of the sections are their partners, which are all well-known and recognized companies and organizations that provide advice and services to crew throughout their careers. 

Yachties of New Zealand

The Yachties of New Zealand is a website that features three sections to help Kiwis during their career at no charge — Life Before Yachting, Life While Yachting, and Life After Yachting.

Become a member and enjoy the exclusive offers from our partners.

photo credit: Alan Houghton

Welcome to the CYA

A refuge for owners and admirers of wooden boats., upcoming events.

21 April 2024 - PCC Vintage & Veterans

25 April 2024 - PCC ANZAC Day Regatta

11 May 2024 - North Sails Winter Series begins

28 May 2024 - CYA Annual Prizegiving at the RNZYS

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SuperYacht Recruitment

A new generation of yacht recruitment, a large team of passionate yachties turned skilled recruiters..

Whether you are looking for your next perfect job or that exceptional new crew member the team at YOA are here to help. Contact us today to find out why our unique techniques, tools and network can assist you throughout your superyacht career.

Find SuperYacht Crew

With over 150 years combined experience working on superyachts, the YOA team will be able to find exactly who you need.

Find SuperYacht Jobs

Our job doesn’t stop once we place you on the yacht. We are here to help you throughout your yachting career.

01 For Employers

02 for crew, exceptional yachts require exceptional crew. to find them requires unique insight..

We’ve been in your shoes before.

The YOA team provide a personalised service that is second to none. As former captains and HODs we know the importance of finding that perfect new crew member. It all starts with clear communication.

We will help you stand out from the crowd and secure that dream superyacht job.

We’ve found jobs walking the docks, we’ve found jobs through agencies, we’ve found jobs on job walls, we’ve found jobs through our own networks. We’ve combined these experiences, both good and bad, and developed an even better way of doing things.

We’ve found jobs walking the docks, we’ve found jobs through agencies, we’ve found jobs on job walls and we’ve found jobs through our own networks. We’ve combined these experiences, both good and bad, and developed an even better way of doing things.

Don't take our word for it

Annoymous. - chief officer 85m+ my, andy burridge - captain, sean black - captain, vaiva vystartaite - chief stewardess, melissa field - chief stewardess, jono whitwell - chief officer, danny bos - captain, matt holdsworth - chief officer, paul maguire - captain, christian frederic - captain, meet the team, we are yachties like you..

Founders, Tom and Don have both spent many years on sailing and motor yachts gaining an appreciation for the requirements and challenges encountered by today’s premier superyacht teams. Our growing team are not only experienced and speak your language, they’re a bunch of good sorts as well.

Tom Aveling

Gioia gracis, tim lempriere, todd herman, warwick stewart, honey dalton, candice davies, joshua scott, jessica ayling, ashton dennis, maren bishop, francisco chadinha, jenny silver, roxanne horsley, dahna harvey, ashleigh harrison, contact our friendly professional team today., world-class superyacht recruitment services.

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Explore our current vacancies, create your unique profile today.

Get onboard

Yoa contact form, looking for crew please click here . please apply for jobs via your yoa profile & not via this contact form, get in touch.

YOA is based in New Zealand working with clients locally and worldwide.

With agents in Europe, USA, UK, Australia, Central America, South Africa and further afield.

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Please note We may communicate with you via WhatsApp using +64 274 803 461.

Please do not communicate directly with this number as it is part of an automated system.

If you require assistance please contact us, or the Agent you have been working with.

YOA is based in New Zealand and works with clients locally and worldwide. With agents in Europe, UK, USA, Australia, Central America, South Africa & further afield.

Help us Support those in need. We donate to the great team at YachtAid Global.

YOA is proud to have signed She of the Sea’s Pledge to creating a diverse and inclusive Yachting industry.

Proudly based in New Zealand and a member of the NZ Marine Industry Association.

Superyacht Recruitment

Formerly yoaagency.com

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Requirements for international yachts and crew entering New Zealand

While New Zealand’s sea borders are currently closed to most foreign Flagged vessels, a number of pleasure craft and super yachts in the Pacific are hoping to enter New Zealand in time for the America’s Cup.

At present, only yachts that have a compelling need to be delivered to a business in New Zealand, including for the purpose of substantial repairs or a refit, may be granted an exemption to enter New Zealand waters with their crew.  Conditions are strict and decisions are made on a case by case basis.

In this article, we review the Covid-19 related restrictions and the requirements to enter New Zealand if you own, operate or work on an international yacht.

Yacht exemptions

The government has adopted a “Covid-19 Public Heath Reponses (Maritime Border) Order 2020” ( Maritime Border Order ) to rule on crew changes and the safe movement of cargo and vessels to and from New Zealand [1] . 

Under the Maritime Border Order, foreign-flagged yachts are not permitted to arrive in New Zealand territorial waters unless they have an exemption. [2] An exemption can be sought from the Director-General of Health (Ministry of Health) if:

• The yacht has a compelling need to arrive in New Zealand for the purpose of:
• Re-provisioning and/or refueling;
• Delivering the yacht to a business; or
• Carrying out a refit, refurbishment of or a repair to the yacht that is more than minor.

b. The yacht has a compelling need to arrive in New Zealand for humanitarian reasons. 

Based on the above, yachts travelling to New Zealand primarily for leisure purposes are not permitted to enter New Zealand waters. The Ministry of Health also advised that yachts intending to “winter over” (for instance to avoid the hurricane/cyclone season in the Pacific) are unlikely to meet the condition of humanitarian reasons.

Refit, refurbishment and repairs are the main reasons currently considered for an exemption. The Director-General will take into account:

• The nature and type of work to be undertaken on the yacht;
• The monetary value of the work being undertaken;
• The need to support the economic recovery of marine-related industries in New Zealand; and
• Any other matter considered relevant.

The above may include information regarding: the size of the yacht,  the need for the proposed works, the urgency of the works, whether the work can reasonably be undertaken in the yacht’s Flag State, current location or other location, and the time required to complete the work.

An application will have to provide written evidence of a contract with one or more New Zealand based-companies (subject to the yacht being granted an exemption).  This should include a schedule of intended works/equipment purchased for repair or refitting of the yacht and the estimated cost of repairs.  We understand the Ministry of Health will require a minimum value of the work of NZ$50,000.

Any exemption to enter New Zealand waters must be sought before departing for New Zealand and must be obtained before the yacht arrives in New Zealand, noting it can take up to 20 days for a decision to be issued.

A yacht that has been authorised to enter New Zealand waters may be entered on a Temporary Import Entry in which Customs charges and GST are deferred for two years.

Once the permission for an exemption to arrive in New Zealand (with or without conditions) has been granted to the yacht, any persons onboard must obtain Immigration New Zealand approval.

Crew approval

Only New Zealand citizens and holders of a resident visa are authorised to enter the country.  Anyone else must be coming to New Zealand for a “ critical purpose ” and request prior approval from Immigration.

Persons who will be deemed to have a “critical purpose” include:

• Critical workers (provided that the request is sought by a New Zealand employer or a supporting agency or immigration professionals);
• Replacement cargo ship crew; and
• A vessel’s crew arriving by sea (subject to the yacht having been granted an exemption).

Yacht owners, authorised agents and employers of the crew are the only ones who can submit a request for foreign crew to travel to New Zealand on approved yachts.

Crew must be essential for the operation of the yacht to travel to New Zealand. Other types of crew and passengers are not permitted. To date, we understand that super yacht owners have not been allowed to sail with the crew to New Zealand. Decisions are likely to be made on a case by case basis, depending on the usual operations of the yacht. 

Crew arriving by sea are required to have isolated on the yacht (or in a managed facility, at their cost) for at least 14 days before they can go on shore.  The period of 14 days may include the journey time under certain conditions. Covid-19 tests will have to be carried out in any case. Isolation at anchorage will not be allowed, noting dedicated berths are allocated for this purpose.

Once the isolation period is complete and clearance has been provided by a medical officer of health or health protection officer, the yacht will be free to travel on to the pre-approved and pre-arranged repair or refit provider(s) and the crew will be allowed to stay in New Zealand for the duration of their visas.

Recommendations

The existing exemption for yachts is the result of strong lobbying from the marine industry.  The NZ Marine Industry Association in particular continues to engage in discussions with the government.

The conditions that need to be satisfied in order to be granted an exemption to enter New Zealand waters are limited and will be strictly applied. In all cases, the yacht will not be permitted to arrive unless every person on board also satisfies immigration requirements.

At this time, we understand that up to twelve super yachts have been granted an exemption on the basis of two to three months of work booked in a shipyard, often representing several million New Zealand dollars.

We recommend that any yacht seeking to come in to New Zealand:

• Defines what substantial work would require the work of a shipyard in New Zealand;
• Contacts a shipyard for this purpose; and
• Engages as soon as possible in discussions with the Ministries of Health and Immigration to let them know its intentions and prepare the relevant documents.

If you need assistance with the above or require further details or key contacts, please let us know. We have a dedicated team for this purpose.

[1] The Maritime Border Order came into force on 30 June 2020 and was amended and replaced on 6 September 2020.

[2] Except for the right of “innocent passage” or vessels in distress.

Please contact Kerry with any media enquiries and with any questions related to marketing or sponsorships on +64 9 375 8747 or via email .

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Below Deck Mediterranean Has a Major Crew Shakeup in Season 9 Trailer

Get ready for a whole new below deck mediterranean . e news has the exclusive first look at the season nine trailer featuring many new faces and one series alum's shocking return..

There's been a shakeup on the high seas.

The crew of the  Mustique looks very different in E! News' exclusive first look at Below Deck Mediterranean season nine. That's because the only returning yachties are longtime Captain Sandy Yawn and Aesha Scott , who is making her triumphant return as Chief Stew after departing the Bravo series following season five in 2020.

But they aren't the only ones making an epic return, as Stew  Elena Dubaich , who was in the last charter of season six, is also making her way on board.

Which means all the familiar faces from season eight, including first-time Chief Stew Tumi Mhlongo , drama-loving Stew Kyle Viljoen  and his nemesis Stew Natalya Scudder , will not be setting sail this time around.

Instead, Sandy, Aesha and Elena will be joined by a completely new team of fun-loving castmates, including fellow stew Bri Muller , Chef Johnathan Shillingford , Bosun Iain Maclean , and Deckhands Joe Bradley , Nathan Gallager and Gael Cameron .  

And after two seasons as Chief Stew on Below Deck Down Under , Aesha is over the moon about her homecoming.

"I have so many butterflies!" the New Zealand native exclaims in the trailer. "The Med is where it all started for me. I'm just so excited to prove myself."

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Madeleine mccann’s parents in disbelief 17 years after disappearance, elon musk & ex grimes' son x appears in rare photo on 4th birthday, anna nicole smith's daughter dannielynn birkhead, 17, debuts new look.

However, this season's demanding guests will definitely put Aesha and crew to the test. As one angry vacationer complains in the preview, "Their food was... okay ."

And in true Below Deck fashion, expect plenty of boatmances between the sizzling-hot crew.

"Every single person is so hot," Aesha notes. "You guys are all gonna be f--king."

Plus, fans will also get a behind-the-scenes look at how Sandy planned her  romantic proposal  to fiancée  Leah Shafer .

See everything to come—and meet the new season nine cast—by watching the trailer above.  Below Deck Mediterranean  returns on Monday, June 3 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Captain Sandy Yawn

Hometown: Bradenton, FL·

Birth date: Feb. 23·

Zodiac sign: Pisces·

Years of experience in the yachting industry: 36·

Favorite off-boat activities: "Snowboarding, skiing and playing in the water."

What is your wildest charter guest story from your career?

"I had guests shooting water balloons from a massive slingshot on deck into a crowd during the Cannes Film Festival. The guests were also dressed for a red carpet.·"

What was your first impression of Mustique?

"I was excited to run it because it was built in the same shipyard as the White Star, the vessel I became captain on in 2003."

Favorite place you’ve been on charter/place you traveled?

"I love the south of France and the Amalfi Coast."

What’s one thing about working and living on a boat that would surprise people?

"The show reveals it all, so no surprises there."

Chief Stew Aesha Scott

Hometown: Tauranga, New Zealand

Birthdate: Nov. 27

Zodiac sign: SagittariusYears of experience in yachting: 8

Favorite off-boat activities: "I love hiking, yoga and reading. Additionally, I love sipping a cocktail in the sun while reading a book. It’s probably my favorite activity."

What do you do in your off time in your room on the boat? "I’m usually so busy going over orders or preferences for the next charter guests. I try to send a message to Scott or nap if I can. Even 10 minutes of closed eyes is a dream.

"What is the best place on the boat to find privacy? "Privacy doesn’t really exist on a boat. Cleaning a guest bathroom is probably the most privacy I’ll get and I often enjoy quiet time in there. Otherwise, when I’m in the shower."

"Stews don’t spend much time outside. When you finish a season people are always shocked that we aren’t tan. 'But you work on a boat!?' We work inside and don’t see much sun and definitely don’t swim until the season is over."

Sum up this season in three words: "Management skills tested."

Deckhand Gael Cameron

Hometown: Sydney, Australia

Birth date: May 14

Zodiac sign: Taurus· Years of experience in the yachting industry: 3

Favorite off-boat activities: "Free diving, scuba diving and eating."

What Bravo shows do you watch?

" The Housewives ."

"I have had an entire group get dropped off a day charter only to find they left someone behind with their head in the toilet."

"Thailand. The water is beautiful, the food kills and the atmosphere is buzzer."

"As much as it seems like a dream job, there are sacrifices we make. We’re away from our friends and family for years at a time sometimes and maintaining a healthy long distance relationships can be very challenging."

Stew Bri Muller

Hometown: Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Birthdate: April 22

Zodiac sign: Taurus

Years of experience in the yachting industry: 3

Favorite off-boat activities: "Anything that involves getting in the water, such as snorkeling, scuba diving, tubing, going down slides and jumping off the sun deck."

Special skills: "I did a course on manicures and pedicures, but never got the certification due to lack of time before yachting again. I can do nails, though."

"So many crazy things have happened that crazy stories for other people are just normal day to day occurrences for me. I’d probably end up with a lawsuit if I had to tell you."

"On charter, my favorite place has been the U.S. Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands. I got to swim with dolphins and snorkel in my free time…a literal dream."

"Believe it or not, but land sickness is a thing after spending a lot of time on a yacht. Your world rocks for maybe three days after hopping off the boat."

Stew Elena Dubaich

Hometown: Škofja Loka, Slovenia

Birth date: July 5

Zodiac sign: Cancer

Years of experience in the yachting industry: 8

Favorite off-boat activities: "Weightlifting and gaining back the muscle mass I normally lose during a charter season."

Special skills: "I’m a massage therapist, personal trainer and yoga instructor. I love teaching guided meditations (Yoga Nidra)."

"I was invited by the yacht owner to go on my first helicopter ride overlooking the British Virgin Islands. I felt incredibly blessed in that moment."

"The coolest place I’ve been to on a yacht was Cuba. Greenland, Patagonia and the Amazon River have also really stood out to me. As far as my own travels, I’ve really enjoyed Taiwan."

"How hard it is to stop yachting and get used to 'regular life.' It’s an addictive lifestyle as there’s few things to worry about—accommodation, food, laundry—as it’s all taken care of. Leaving that behind and coming back to regular life is a very hard transition for most of us."

Bosun Iain Maclean

Hometown: Cape Town, South Africa

Birth date: March 21

Zodiac sign: Aries

Years of experience in the yachting industry: 5

Favorite off-boat activities: "I like going to the gym, hiking, kloofing, surfing, jolling, music festivals, hanging out with friends and family and going to the beach."

Special skills: "Being friendly and positive all the time."

What was your first impression of the Mustique?

"In need of some good maintenance, but a good-sized strong ship with solid bones."

Favorite place you've been on charter? "Ponza and Palmarola, Italy."

"Honestly, I find that the job as a whole surprises most people that aren't in the industry."

Chef Johnathan Shillingford

Hometown: Roseau, Dominica

Birth date: July 7

Years of experience in the yachting industry: 7

Special skills: "Twerking, singing, cooking all the food and design. I’m also great at accents."

"Real Housewives , Queer Eye , Top Chef and Project Runway ."

Who do you miss most from home when you’re traveling for work?

"My mom. Gilly is my rock and the best cheerleader anyone could ask for."

"She’s a cute, big, old girl who maybe needs a face lift."

"I love French Polynesia and the Tuamotu Islands. Both are, literally, heaven on Earth."

Deckhand Joe Bradley

Hometown: Alicante, Spain

Birth date: March 18

Zodiac sign: Pisces

Favorite off-boat activities: "Rock climbing, go karting, motorbikes, the awe of sunsets, dancing, playing the guitar, piano and swimming."

Special skills: "I play the guitar, piano and speak fluent Spanish."

Who do you miss most from home when you’re traveling for work? "The most beautiful, kind and powerful woman this world has to offer … my mother."

What is your wildest charter story from your career?

"There was a Catamaran crash in Italy. A huge Catamaran lost power and crashed against all the boats."

What are the smallest tips you’ve ever gotten?

"I had a guy onboard who owned a nut packaging company and I got a packet of nuts. They weren’t even salted."

Deckhand Nathan Gallager

Hometown: Burtonport, Ireland

Birth date: June 19

Zodiac sign: Gemini

Years of experience in the yachting industry: 2

Favorite off-boat activities: "Everything to do with boats!"

Special skills: "Making people laugh."

" Below Deck franchise and Summer House ."

What do you do in your off time on the boat?

"I enjoy travelling on my time off. I’m currently saving for a house in Spain, so my time off is limited."

What are the biggest and smallest tips you’ve ever gotten?

"The tips I got while on the Mustique are the biggest. I’ve never received tips like that in my life."

"You can make friends with people you’d never make friends with in normal life."

(E! and Bravo are both part of the NBCUniversal family).

Jesse Sullivan Shares Own Names for His & Francesca Farago's Twins

Books to read asap before they become your next tv or movie obsession.

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Wakatipu Yacht Club

Wakatipu Yacht Club have been proudly offering sailing lessons and organising sailing regattas for the Queenstown yachting community since 1979.

Run and supported by volunteers, who are keen sailors and yachties themselves, the club have thrived over the past 39 years and are planning to enter their 40th season even stronger.

The club is situated at the end of the Kelvin Peninsula, across the narrows of the Frankton Arm from Queenstown. We consider ourselves fortunate to have one of the most scenically attractive yacht clubs with some of the best lake sailing in New Zealand.

Peninsula Road Queenstown New Zealand

-45.035344, 168.704009

PO Box 182 Queenstown 9348 New Zealand

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