2025
Article
High-tech hardtops: Lighter, stronger Hunters
Auckland’s Haines Hunter has expanded its vacuum-infusion manufacturing production line, adding the popular 725 model’s hardtop to the process.
The Catch: Let’s put this with that…
Pairing different soft-baits with specific jig-heads can significantly increase your chances of a successful fishing day.
The perfect engine for a Pelin Challenger
The Pelin Challenger has been a very
popular Kiwi cruiser, with many examples having been built over the years, both by professional and amateur boa...
Trailer boat adventures: Time out in Tennyson
If you enjoy a long, steep, narrow
and winding road trip, then
Tennyson Inlet could be the perfect trailer boating destination for you. Located in...
Australian Wooden Boat Festival 2025: Wooden show time
The Australian Wooden Boat Festival is held every two years in Hobart and is often described as the biggest celebration of wooden boats in the Souther...
Article
Electric vs Petrol outboards: Not so fast
Should we replace our petrol outboards with electrics? New research
says no, and that over their full cradle-to-grave lifespan it is internal combus...
Yamaha hydrogen power: Hydrogen-fuelled outboard
The world’s first hydrogen-powered prototype outboard will make its
New Zealand debut at the Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show in May.
Feature
Australian Wooden Boat Festival
My interest in the festival was piqued in 2019 when I travelled to Hobart to help my friend Peter Mortimer sail his 45-foot timber ketch Tamariki from...
Feature
The Yates family of the far north and their Bailey & Lowe launches
The Yates family had extensive holdings in the Far North around the turn of the 20th century. Samuel Yates was born in London in 1826. His father was ...
Feature
Personal Water Craft (‘jetskis’)
Welcome to ‘A very brief history of…’ researching the history of everyday marine technology, innovation and events kiwi boaties love (or loathe).
Article
Happy anniversary: 25th NZ Antique and Classic Boat Show
Blue skies, sparkling water, big crowds and a record number of interesting boats
of every sort made the 25th anniversary of this event extra-special...
Joystick demo a world’s first
Launching in May, Mercury’s joystick steering system for single outboards is a plug-and-play upgrade designed for Mercury outboards with electric stee...
Editorial
Flying high
As I write, just before the magazine goes to the printer, another edition of SailGP has just concluded, held in Los Angeles, USA on a very tight racec...
Exclusive
Dynamic duo: The John and Linda Parrish story
Race management is one of those critical jobs that has to be done just right and where accuracy is everything. With more than 43 years of experience, ...
Exclusive
The winner of the NZ Retro Boat 2025: Tugboat
The winner of Boating New Zealand magazine’s inaugural NZ Retro Boat Trophy went to Tugboat, a Savage Electra Glass ski-boat designed in Australia but...
Exclusive
Gone to the dark side: Our journey from sail to power – part 2
Ted Dixon and his partner Jenny Johnson spent eight years cruising the Caribbean and North America, as well as the South Pacific, most recently five m...
Exclusive
excel-lent refurbishment
It’s glorious powerboat weather and ideal for an impromptu speed test
of the Upfold 40 launch, Excel. The launch’s owner/driver has a grin from ear ...
Exclusive
Adventure jet-boating: Alpine charge!
New Zealand has a rich jet-boating heritage and, since their invention, jet boats have evolved in construction type, hull shape and power. Over recent...
Exclusive
Kitset boats: Rekindling a culture
Want a simple, inexpensive pathway to becoming a boatie?
Consider building a kitset vessel. It’s an easy solo project but will bring greater rewards...
Exclusive
Moth restoration: The Moth At 71
On a beautifully sunny spring day
with a steady 10-knot wind, I was at
the Takapuna Beach boat ramp, chatting with a young sailor launching his I...
Exclusive
Fishing gear that multi-tasks
So many different fishing techniques are used on such a wide variety of fish species these days, that many of them require specialist rods and reels f...
Article
Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta
In the Viaduct Harbour the Dragon Boat racing was fiercely contested by scores of colourful crews...
Article
Top of the South Marine relocates
Top of the South Marine has relocated to a new, larger facility located in Havelock, Marlborough. The move represents a significant milestone in the c...
Press Release
Riviera floats Australia’s exports
A fleet of Queensland-built luxury motor yachts valued at more than $45 million were driven onto a semi-submersible ship in the Port of Brisbane, ahea...
Press Release
Adventure in luxury
As demand for far-flung adventure and one-of-a-kind experiences grows, leading yacht company Y.CO has brought two of the largest luxury sailing yachts...
Press Release
L&B to distribute ARCO
Lusty & Blundell is now an official distributor for the ARCO range of high energy engine products.
Feature
The New Zealand Raters – Export
In December 1898 a major yachting event was held in Auckland, the first with any true international content. The North Shore Native Regatta and Carniv...
Press Release
Boat show unveils the Ultimate Catch RE-INVENTED
Organisers of the Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show, May 15 to 18, have announced the Grand Prize Boat for 2025.
The brand-new Surtees 770 Gamefishe...
Feature
BYO ‘super bungy lure rig’!
A home-made bungy trolling line is a great addition to any fisher's arsenal, whether chasing fresh bait or a feed.
Article
2025 Bay of Islands Sailing Week
Three days of racing for 2025’s Bay of Islands Sailing Week wrapped up on Friday, 24 January.
Article
Black foils slow to fire Downunder
Waitematā Harbour put on a stunning spectacle on the weekend of 18-19 January for Sail GP’s second stop, with Australia crowned the winner of the inau...
Press Release
New Electric Fullers ferry: Future ferry
Fullers360, New Zealand’s largest ferry operator, has added an 8.9m, 100% electric foiling power catamaran to its fleet. Kermadec will offer 45-minute...
Article
New BRIGs
The next generation of adventure-ready BRIGs is nearing arrival in New Zealand. The BRIG Navigator 22 and 24 are more rugged than ever, built for thri...
Press Release
Mercury’s new single-engine joystick – first demo available in the world
Mercury has announced the introduction of Joystick Piloting for Single-Engine Vessels with Thruster, further expanding its market-leading portfolio of...
Article
Waka Kai delivers
Most supermarkets in New Zealand offer home delivery, but Whitianga’s New World faces challenges most others don’t, especially when summer holidaymake...
Exclusive
Ragtime – the ‘Black Box’ returns
One of the most famous New Zealand keelers is Ragtime, designed and built by the late John Spencer and launched in 1965 as Infidel. A long-time reside...
Exclusive
Riding along with Coastguard
A sunny Saturday riding along with Auckland Coastguard aboard
Trillian Trust Rescue turned into a real life call out and tow.
Exclusive
Destination marina: Kennedy Bay, Waiheke Island marina
Waiheke Island is one of Auckland’s favourite recreational boating destinations. Now the new facilities at Waiheke Island Marina, at Kennedy Bay in th...
Exclusive
Gone to the dark side: Our journey from sail to power boats
Ted Dixon and his wife Jenny spent eight years living aboard their long-range Nordhavn 47 cruising powerboat Southern Star, exploring the Caribbean an...
Feature
BYO Elliot 1150 Tourer: The perfect yacht
Every so often
I hit the self-destruct button and decide to build a boat, well aware of the commitment in time and money. That’s because
the boats...
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NZ Events Worth Adding to Your Calendar
Have an event you'd like to list on Boating New Zealand. Contact us with the details.
FISHING
Hook Me Up Fishing Competition - Matakana vs Hillside, 7 Mar 2025 in Whakatane
The Kubota Billfish Classic, 12 - 15 Mar 2025 in Mercury Bay, Whitianga
ITM Fishing Competition, 13 - 16 Mar 2025 in Whangaroa
NZ Lure Masters (Catch, Measure and Release competition), 3 & 4 Oct 2025, New Zealand wide
REGATTAS
Toyota Youth International Match Racing Cup, 26 Feb - 4 Mar 2025 in Auckland
PIC Harbour Classic, 28 Feb - 1 Mar 2025 in Auckland
Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race 2025, starting 11 Oct 2025 TBC from Sydney Harbour
PIC Insurance Brokers Coastal Classic, 24 Oct 2025 TBC from Auckland to Russell
Rolex Sydney to Hobart, 26 Dec 2025 starts in Sydney, Australia
HYDRO THUNDER
JET BOAT RACING
2025 NZ Marathon Coast-to-Coast, 16 to 25 Mar 2025 starting at Greymouth ad finishing at Christchurch
WATERSPORTS
IWWF University Nationals (waterskiing), 26 February to 2 March Orakei Basin, Auckland
MEET UPS
Bay of Plenty Trailer Yacht Cruising Rally, Easter 2025 at Lake Rotoiti, BOP
SHOWS
Moana Auckland - New Zealand's Ocean Festival, 27 Jan to 9 Mar 2025 in Auckland
Auckland Boat Show, 6 - 9 Mar 2025 to be held at the Viaduct Events Centre and Jellicoe Harbour, Auckland
The Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show, 15-18 May 2025 to be held at the Viaduct Events Centre and Jellicoe Harbour, Auckland
NZ Boat, Fish and Dive Show, 30 & 31 Aug 2025 to be held at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Waipa
NEWS TIPS?
Send your photos, videos, stories, and tip-offs to ahoy@boatingnz.co.nz or call us on 022-023-7507.