Northland shipyard and dry dock facility

This facility will:

• enhance the country’s self sufficiency in ship maintenance and repair
• strengthen our supply chains
• increase national security
• create jobs, and
• support the economy.

The Northland shipyard and dry dock facility will be a maritime maintenance facility capable of servicing New Zealand’s largest current and planned vessels, including naval ships and major commercial vessels such as the Cook Strait ferries. 

The facility will enable large ships to be removed from the water to enable work on parts of a vessel that are normally submerged, including hulls, propulsion systems and structural components essential to the vessel’s safety and performance.  

The shipyard and dry dock will be located next to the western edge of the existing Northport port area, within Whangārei Te Rerenga Parāoa (Whangārei Harbour), with access through the existing port. 

Why it is needed

Currently New Zealand does not have a dry dock facility that is able to service larger vessels. As a result, many ships in New Zealand must travel offshore for maintenance, which adds cost, increases emissions, and limits our ability to service and maintain critical vessels at home. 

The shipyard and dry dock will help fill a critical gap in our maritime infrastructure and support New Zealand’s biosecurity and strategic resilience, helping to protect the long-term resilience of New Zealand’s supply chain.  

Keeping more vessel maintenance and repair work in New Zealand will also support local industry, retain capability, create jobs, and reduce downtime for operators and their customers. 

The benefits

Construction and operation of the shipyard and dry dock is expected to create hundreds of skilled and entry level jobs in Te Tai Tokerau (Northland) and help grow a strong pipeline of talent through apprenticeships and training in marine engineering, ship repair, and specialist trades.

Over its lifetime, the shipyard and dry dock is expected to significantly benefit both the Northland region and New Zealand economies. For example, by supporting local industry and coastal shipping, making cost savings, developing and retaining capability, reducing carbon emissions, improving resilience, and reducing downtime for shipping operators and their customers.

Project progress and consenting process

The project is currently in the planning and design phase which includes progressing through the Fast-track approvals process and engaging with Northland stakeholders.  

The shipyard and dry dock is listed in Schedule 2 of the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024, highlighting its importance as a development and infrastructure project of both regional and national significance.

Shipyard and dry dock facility — Fast-track website

Useful links

Investment Summit: Investors sought for Northland dry dock project — Beehive.govt.nz
(13 March 2025, 2024)  

Northport dry dock business case progressing — Beehive.govt.nz
(20 August 2024)