Cannons and spa pools: Luxury features on Jeff Bezos’ superyacht and its Kiwi links

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ superyacht has docked in Auckland, and some of its features display the luxury lifestyle of a billionaire.

Walkers along the waterfront of Tāmaki Makaurau today will be able to view a wooden mermaid structure on Koru’s prow.

It is widely speculated to be in the likeness of Bezos’ wife Lauren Sanchez, but she denied the rumours in a 2023 interview with Vogue.

The former television presenter revealed the sculpture was Freyja, the Norse goddess of love, beauty, fertility, war, gold and magic.

Bezos acquired the three-masted sailing superyacht in 2023, and it is among the largest yachts in the world.

Built in the Netherlands by yacht-building firm Oceanco, the boat is reportedly worth US$500 million ($800m).

However, the Herald understands Avondale-based boat manufacturer Southern Spars had worked on a high-tech mast solution worth tens of millions of dollars for Bezos in 2019.

A spokesperson back then confirmed the team had worked on a “significant project”; however, the company was bound by a non-disclosure agreement and denied any involvement in the construction.

The side of the 127m-long and 17m-wide vessel is equipped with water cannons to fight pirates, a source told Page Six.

The mermaid sculpture on Jeff Bezos' superyacht, Koru.

Despite its massive size, relatively little is publicly known about Koru’s interior, which has largely remained out of view.

However, it reportedly features a glass-bottom pool and three spa pools.

The luxury vessel features an interior designed by London-based Mlinaric, Henry & Zervudachi, and displays a contemporary style with wood tones and neutral colours.

If the amenities on board were not enough, the superyacht travels with a support vessel, Abeona, which features its own helipad.

Jeff Bezos' superyacht is in Auckland today. Photo / Trevor Coppock

According to Robb Report, the 76m-long shadow vessel comes with a hangar sufficient to hold an Airbus ACH-135 helicopter and enough room on board to accommodate 45 crew and support staff.

The main yacht can accommodate up to 18 guests and requires a crew of about 40.

The hull features traditional portholes, while the upper deck windows are smaller, which is speculated to help stop paparazzi from snapping pictures of guests inside.

Koru reportedly has a focus on sustainability within its design, as it’s testing an energy recovery system which converts wave motion into electrical energy, Robb Report said in 2024.

Koru can accommodate up to 18 guests and requires a crew of about 40.

It is also believed to have a hybrid power system with battery banks that run its systems at night.

The yacht has another New Zealand connection through its name, Koru, a Māori word associated with new beginnings and continuity.

When the name was revealed in 2023, Māori cultural experts told the Herald they supported its use.