Stencils and cruise ships

Published on 22 January 2025

Mike Dunbar from Coastline Markers installs signs and wayfinding stencils showing cruise ship visitors the way into the city centre.

Whangārei was well and truly ready for visitors when cruise ship Azamara Pursuit docked at Northport on Saturday 18 January 2025 and passengers were delivered by shuttle to the Town Basin. 

From there, signs on posts and stencils on the footpaths guided them around the basin and into the city centre. 

On the way, they were also able to follow Northland’s first ever Kiwi Art Trail. The collection of kiwi art sculptures dotted through town, between the Town Basin and Te Iwitahi (civic centre), has already proven a hit with locals, attracting families and providing many photo opportunities. For overseas visitors, they offered a truly 'made in New Zealand' experience.

Kiwi Art Trail

Whangārei Mayor Vince Cocurullo welcomed the visitors and the ships bringing them.

“Last summer’s cruise visitors were delighted by the range of activities on offer here. Cruises added almost $70 million into our regional economy, supporting 457 jobs and $22.6 million in wages, primarily driven out of activity in the Bay of Islands.

“It is a real win to have them stopping here, and I look forward to an increasing number of cruise ship visits to our District in future.”