A Proud Night for Opua and the Swordfish Club

It was a special night on 5th February at the Opua waterfront as the newly redeveloped Bay of Islands Swordfish Club officially opened its doors, and 36° Brokers were stoked to be part of it.

This new location becomes the club’s third establishment, joining the long-standing and well-established clubrooms in Paihia and Russell. With Opua now added to the mix, the Swordfish Club has a true presence across the Bay.

With more than 100 years of history behind it, the Bay of Islands Swordfish Club is not replacing its past but building on it, ushering in a new era while the Paihia and Russell clubs remain at the heart of its tradition, identity, and community.

The opening evening began with a karakia led by local iwi, setting the tone with respect and acknowledgement of place, people, and whakapapa. From there, guests heard a few words from Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who spoke about the importance of strong community spaces before officially opening the building with a ribbon cutting.

As both a sponsor of the Swordfish Club and its new neighbour, 36° Brokers is genuinely proud to be part of this moment. Being located right next door places us right in the heart of Opua’s marine community, something that feels especially fitting given our long-standing connection to boating, fishing, and life on the water in the Bay of Islands.

So much work, time, and passion has gone into bringing this new space to life, and the result is something the whole community can be proud of. More than just a building, the new Swordfish Club represents a fresh beginning, a place for stories to be shared, friendships to be built, and the next generation of boaties and fishers to find their feet.

Congratulations to everyone involved. We’re excited to be right here alongside you as this next chapter gets underway.

If you’re visiting the new Swordfish Club or spending time in Opua, we’d love to see you. Our 36° Brokers Opua office is right next door, feel free to pop in for a chat about boats, the local marine scene, or simply to say hello to the team.