We visited the Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show today, on its opening day (Thursday 15 May.) The weather in Auckland delivered one of those warm, calm autumn days that would normally draw you to the water; a visit to the Hutchwilco Boat Show makes a pleasing alternative.
This was my first visit to the show since 2023, when I came with my husband and kids on the Saturday, and found the place packed. We weren’t sure what to expect on a week day—a Thursday—but were pleased to see a solid turnout. The vibe was relaxed, with many of the early-day visitors appearing to be seasoned boaties who knew exactly what they were looking for. The pace was steady, the aisles busy but navigable.
As always, the first stop was the Grand Prize display: the Surtees 770 Game Fisher, which Boating New Zealand covered in detail back in December. It’s a serious boat for serious fishing—well finished, rugged, and well suited to Kiwi offshore conditions.
From there, we took in the outdoor displays, noting a long line of boats from various brands snaking down the hill—particularly well represented were Stabicraft. If you’re looking for Stabicraft’s latest models—the <a href=”https://www.boatingnz.co.nz/2025/05/the-stabicraft-frontier-2050-centre-console-brilliance-review-coming-soon/”>2050 Frontier, 2350 Centre Console, and 2350 Walkthrough—then head inside to the Stabicraft stand. We did just that, and a follow-up article of all three new models is on the way.
One early standout was the Jeanneau Merry Fisher range on display by Orakei Marine. As owners of a Jeanneau Sunkiss 47 sailing yacht, we’re always curious to see how the powerboat side of the brand stacks up. The Merry Fishers don’t disappoint—well thought-out spaces, practical layouts, and ideal for a weekend on the water without sacrificing comfort or usability.
Moving into the indoor halls, the first things to catch our attention were the food and drink exhibits. There was a generous range—seafood rubs, sauces, chutneys, and a wide variety of New Zealand-made spirits, many of which were being sampled enthusiastically by visitors.
From there, we entered the first of the boat halls, where we caught up with Smuggler Marine, who had a large display. Smuggler’s boats are well known in the New Zealand market, and if you get the chance to look at their range in person, it’s worth the stop. I had a memorable outing earlier this year on their Strata 800 Mid Cabin during the New Zealand Superyacht Millennium Cup Regatta—a refreshing contrast to the slower pace of the sailing yacht I’d spent the week onboard. It’s an amphibious boat too, adding to its appeal.
A more hands-on, home-built offering came from Form and Float, where company owner, Simon, showcased his DIY wooden small craft range—kayaks, dinghies, even a small catamaran. If you’ve ever dreamed of building your own boat, Form and Float’s kitsets are worth checking out. Keep an eye out on our ‘coming soon’ online feature with Form and Float.
We caught up with Rhys from The Ultimate Rod Racks for Boats—a locally designed and built rod storage solution that brings practical, space-saving versatility to any fishing setup. Created by experienced Kiwi fishers with New Zealand conditions in mind, the racks are thoughtfully engineered and adaptable to suit a wide variety of boat types.
Another smart piece of Kiwi ingenuity on show was the Sea Turner—an innovative system for lifting and storing a tender, which we first encountered afloat at the Auckland On Water Boat Show. This time, it was mounted on the roof of an SUV, offering a practical land-based demonstration. As company co-owner Nicole explained, it’s a perfect solution for boaties who want to take a dinghy away on holiday but don’t have the option of towing a second trailer. Particularly handy if you’re already hitched up to a caravan.
In the second boat hall, we looped back to spend more time at the Stabicraft stand, revisiting the 2050 Frontier and the pair of 2350s. These are solid additions to the Stabicraft range and show the company’s ongoing refinement of their design language.
There was a quick business catch-up—it’s that kind of show, where you bump into familiar faces and industry insiders throughout the day—before we swung past Skipperi NZ. Now under New Zealand ownership, Skipperi’s manager Alexander shared the team’s plans for the future and spoke about the benefits of local control over development.
Another highlight was reconnecting with Ian and Blair from FatCat, whose distinctive catamarans continue to generate interest. Our editor, John Eichelsheim, reviewed the FatCat 4000 Fisherman back in 2021, and it’s great to see their boats out in the wild, including two bright yellow FatCat 4500s now in use by the Auckland Harbourmaster (displayed at the pool area.) These boats were deployed during the ITM NZ Sail Grand Prix earlier this year and now serve in roles ranging from mooring maintenance to patrol and event support.
We ended our day in the Shimano Fishing Hall, a sea of rods and reels that made it difficult to keep count. The crowd was thick around the seminar space, where Dan Govier shared his knowledge of snapper fishing and cooking prep—standing room only by the time we arrived, proving just how popular his sessions are.
Walking out at the end of the day, what stood out was the stability and breadth of the New Zealand marine sector. While there wasn’t an avalanche of brand-new innovation, there was clear progress and evolution. The number and diversity of trailerable boats was impressive, and it’s clear that the market continues to support local manufacturers, startups, and global brands alike.
We caught only a glimpse of what is available at the Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show. We’ll be back across the next few days to catch up with more exhibitors and attend a few talks we missed this time around. For now, hats off to the organisers. The Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show remains one of New Zealand’s premier marine showcases—not by flash or spectacle, but by turning up year after year with boats, brands, and people that matter.
