In July we previewed the then up-and-coming NZ Fishing, Hunting & 4X4 Expo, looking at what it promised for those of us who thrive in New Zealand’s wild spaces. This weekend I took the morning off to see it for myself. The verdict? It’s well worth the trip. Much like the classic Kiwi AMP show, the Expo brims with the best of provincial New Zealand. Tomorrow is the final day of this year’s event, so if you love fishing, hunting, boating, or simply being outdoors, now’s your chance.
A weekend for the wild ones
First impressions
Even before stepping inside, the outdoor displays set the tone. Four-wheel drives were lined up across the paddock, off-road caravans gleamed in the sun, and rooftop tents perched proudly on vehicles. Among them was Feldon Shelter’s Crow’s Nest, the very same tent we featured in The rise of the floating campsite, when it was set up on a White Pointer 700SC. (For those who doubted such a setup existed, I can assure you, it does.)
The rise of the floating campsite
The Energy Events Centre proved an ideal venue. Spacious yet manageable, it allowed visitors to wander easily between stands. Without the corporate gloss of a big-city expo, the event felt genuine—like something organised by the community, for the community.
Boats that speak our language
Boaties were given choice. Familiar names like Stabicraft, Image Boats, Marco Boats, McLay, Fi-Glass, and Buccaneer Boats were joined by provincial builders such as Sea Boss and Walker Boats. These weren’t showpieces for luxury buyers. They were practical, everyman boats, built for real Kiwi conditions and people who head into the wild.
Aluminium craft between five and ten metres dominated the hall. Each looked equally at home launching at the local ramp, heading offshore for a fish, or sneaking into an isolated lake on a calm evening.
Walker Boats and Sea Boss stood out, particularly because they’re built just down the road in Ngongotahā by Arcryte Engineers. Sea Boss has just launched a clever twin-console design aimed squarely at family anglers—functional, innovative, and refreshingly affordable.
What made the displays shine even more was the chance to talk with the people behind the builds. Boatbuilders were generous with their time, sharing their thoughts on design, market trends, and the importance of keeping work local. It was a reminder that buying a boat isn’t just about getting on the water. It’s about supporting Kiwi jobs, skills, and small-town economies. You could feel the pride in every hull—these boats aren’t churned out overseas, they’re crafted here for our waters and our people.
Fishing gear to fuel the imagination
The fishing section was just as engaging. Everything from kontiki rigs and drone-based delivery systems to soft baits and surfcasting rods was on show. For boat anglers, the selection of rods, reels, lures, and accessories covered everything from snapper inshore to kingfish offshore.
Some of the more inventive add-ons pushed the imagination further—bait cannons, drone rigs, and even a surfcasting catapult designed to launch tackle far beyond what most of us could achieve with a rod. Quirky, yes, but fascinating to see in action.
A family day out
Above all, it was the atmosphere that stood out. Families wandered the aisles, kids tugged at parents to see the next shiny boat or quad bike, and old mates stopped mid-walkway to swap yarns. Everywhere you looked, someone was testing a gadget, climbing into a boat, or chatting with an exhibitor.
The event felt less like a trade show and more like a gathering of New Zealand’s outdoors community. Fishers, hunters, trampers, campers—all drawn together by a shared love of wild places. That provincial character is what sets the Expo apart. It’s more than a showcase of gear. It’s a celebration of who we are as outdoors-loving Kiwis.
