Two marinas – one team
Behind Whangārei Marinas is a team of passionate boating professionals who share a genuine love of life on the water. As boaties, we understand what matters most to those arriving by sea and are always ready to lend a hand or share local knowledge.
Brian Caulton, Marina Manager
Brian’s passion for the ocean began with childhood fishing trips alongside his father and grew into a lifelong love of boating, fishing, and diving.
After gaining his commercial skipper’s licence, he spent 13 years skippering yachts and power vessels before moving into marina management. He has now managed Whangārei (Town Basin) Marina for more than 20 years, welcoming visiting cruisers from around the world and helping make the marina a popular destination.
An accomplished ocean swimmer, Brian spends much of his spare time in the waters around the Whangārei coast.
Sharron Beck, Assistant Manager
After leaving her family farm in Southland to travel the world, Sharron found herself in Sweden, where she began working in a sailmaking loft. Her skills led to a role with the Swedish America’s Cup team competing in San Diego in 1992.
Returning to New Zealand, Sharron joined Whangārei Marina, where she has played a key role in its growth and success. In 2024, she was appointed to the board of the New Zealand Marina Operators Association.
During summer weekends, Sharron enjoys small boat racing in Parua Bay with fellow members of the local marine community.
Kara Gribble, Marina Admin
Fishing with her dad as a child sparked Kara’s lifelong love of the sea. At 30, she left suburban Auckland for Maraetai and joined Coastguard as a volunteer, logging more than 1,400 hours at sea over the following decade and taking part in numerous rescues.
In 2019, Kara completed her first blue-water passage from Fiji to Auckland, an experience that inspired her to leave the fashion industry and move aboard a yacht. She eventually settled in Whangārei, where she now works for Whangārei Marinas.
When she's not in the marina, Kara enjoys exploring the Northland coast by powerboat with her partner.
Gareth Cooke
Gareth’s connection to the ocean began as a child cruising the Hauraki Gulf with his family. From dinghy sailing on Auckland’s North Shore, he went on to compete in some of the world’s premier ocean races, including a circumnavigation in the Volvo Ocean Race.
While cruising the Northland coast with his family, Gareth found himself spending Covid lockdown at Town Basin Marina. What began as a one-night stop has since become home, and he now works at the marina.
Away from work, Gareth remains active on the water as a surf lifeguard and search and rescue squad member at Ruakākā Beach.
