Sir Peter Blake Marine Education and Recreation Centre


Sir Peter Blake Marine Education & Recreation Centre is a not for profit charity based in Long Bay, Auckland, New Zealand. MERC offers marine-based environmental education and outdoor recreational experiences to schools, not-for-profit organisations, and business and corporate groups.
MERC can accommodate up to 85 people at any time for overnight stays and activities, and up to a total of 120 people per day. A day programme consists of 3 activities on the day and instruction is given between 9am and 4pm. There is scope to organise short duration, single day and multi-day courses, and these are specifically developed to meet the needs of each group. MERCs facilities have separate teacher/leader accommodation, multi-purpose hall, wheelchair access and large kitchen & dining facilities.
The Centre's mission statement is to provide life-changing marine environmental education and outdoor experiences for young New Zealanders.

History

The Centre has been in operation since 1990. A group of local yachtsmen and teachers, a butchery owned by Mr Lopes which later became a private beach, a holiday house built above the sea wall still tenanted in 1989.