A $500 million yacht slipping into Auckland's Waitematā Harbour is hard to ignore.
But beyond the spectacle, the arrival by sea also highlights the scale of luxury consumption tied to the ultra-rich, New Zealand's 1News reported.
Here's what to know
According to 1News, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' vessel docked at Wynyard Quarter after entering Auckland's Waitematā Harbour.
The three-masted sailing superyacht Koru is worth about $500 million, or roughly NZ$800 million.
Dutch shipbuilder Oceanco built Koru in the Netherlands and delivered it to Bezos in 2023.
The yacht is 417 feet (127 meters) long and 56 feet (17 meters) wide, and it passed Rangitoto on the way into port.
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More background
The 1News report did not make it clear whether the Amazon founder was aboard when the yacht arrived or how long it would stay in Auckland.
Its name has a distinct New Zealand connection: Koru is the Māori word for an unfurling fern frond, a symbol of new life and growth.
Abeona, a support vessel that regularly travels with Koru, carries a helipad and additional gear that the main yacht cannot fit.
Among sailing yachts, it is one of the world's largest.
Where can I learn more?
Auckland is just the latest stop for Koru, which has drawn attention in ports and coastal destinations worldwide. These articles follow the yacht's appearances in Spain, U.S. ports, and other shorelines where it has drawn scrutiny.
• Along Spain's coast, Bezos' $500 million superyacht eclipsed the shoreline and drew stares.
• At a U.S. port, the $500 million superyacht arrived like a floating hotel under scrutiny.
• In coastal footage, images of Koru reignited debate over luxury's environmental cost.
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