Late last year, New Zealand Maritime School, which is operated by MIT and Unitec, moved its Superyacht courses and other delivery previously based in Mahurangi to the Britomart precinct in Auckland CDB.

Currently, there is also a modern maritime firefighting training facility under development at Mt Albert campus.

Connor Fair in class with Lecturer Kelly Barnett.

It is all part of a goal to provide the best learning facilities to students and these key industries, closer to the region’s largest population base.

Connor Fair is doing the Superyacht programme and says being in the city is exciting.

“It’s really inspiring and there is a lot of convenience of being in the city. Commute-wise it’s easier because I live on the Hibiscus Coast,” Connor says.

“After I finish this course, I’ll go straight to Antibes (France) and try to get a job. It’s a great way to travel, save, work hard and play hard. The teachers have been great, thorough.”

Steve Crockett and his Superyacht class at the City Campus.

Superyacht Lecturer Steve Crockett says the new facilities in the city are great and allow learners to network in the heart of the South Pacific’s premier hub for the superyachts industry.

“Mahurangi was a great site, but it was getting older. Coming to the city is useful for the Superyacht programme particularly because there are a lot of other students here. We’ve got foreign-going Nautical and Engineering pathways, and the Chief Mate or Master of a Superyacht programme.”

“The guys on those programmes are already on Superyachts. They’re here to do further training so the Superyacht students have a chance to talk to people who are already working in the industry to get a lot of handy tips. It’s great for them.”

Superyacht students at Westhaven Marina getting a briefing before learning how to ride jet skis.

The Superyacht programme teaches all aspects of entry-level jobs in the industry, including first-aid training, fire and sea survival as well as deck and interior work.

Kay Carle is studying the 12-week certificate programme which is now being taught overlooking the Waitemata Harbour. Kay enjoys the new location and says being at the same campus as other maritime students is a benefit.

“Most of the classes have a view of the harbour and Steve (Crockett) will be talking about a particular boat and saying they do this or that. I get a lot more knowledge for seeing it in person.

“I’ve moved into an apartment which is quite close. It’s a real student life here in the city. I never did uni so by doing this course I get a two-for-one.”

Lecturer Kelly Barnett has been at the New Zealand Maritime School for four years teaching the interior component of the programme which includes service, housekeeping and laundry. Kelly says she’s thrilled with the teaching space in the City Campus.

“We do barista training, housekeeping, ironing, bed making and teach them how to iron a flag,” Ms Barnett says.

“We also teach silver service. In the superyacht industry, we are working with Michelin-star-level chefs and they want their food to go out exactly how it left the galley (kitchen) –  even if it’s up five flights on steps.

Ms Barnett and Mr Crockett in front of the area that used to teach service.

The New Zealand Maritime School offers training programmes to the highest levels of the international STCW (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping) Code to qualify as Master or Chief Engineer on any ship, worldwide.

It also delivers training to the highest international standards to qualify as Master or Chief Mate on large yachts as well as domestic nautical and engineering qualifications.