Monday 13 October 2025 – HamiltonJet, the global leader in innovative marine propulsion technology, opened its new 7,500sqm factory in Christchurch today, marking one of the most significant expansions in the company’s 70-year history and a milestone for advanced manufacturing in New Zealand.
The opening event, attended by more than 450 guests including Hon Chris Penk, Minister for Building & Construction, brought together HamiltonJet’s global leadership team, its Christchurch workforce, and industry partners to celebrate a major investment in New Zealand’s future.
Founded on the same site in the 1950s – a 6.5-hectare block of old farmland – HamiltonJet has grown from pioneering beginnings in Canterbury to become the world leader in waterjet propulsion systems. Today, its products are used in more than 70 countries, powering navies and coastguards, commercial ferries, windfarm support vessels, and hybrid craft.
The new facility offers a 50 per cent increase in floor space to HamiltonJet’s existing Christchurch base, bringing the total footprint to 22,500sqm. The expansion enables the company to run dedicated production lines for both small and large jets, purpose-built with solar panels, LED lighting, and heat-recovery systems, reflecting HamiltonJet’s commitment to sustainability as well as efficiency.
“HamiltonJet is unique in that we design, cast, machine, fabricate, paint, and assemble our waterjets entirely in-house. This full capability is unmatched by any of our competitors, and gives us complete control over quality and performance,” says HamiltonJet Managing Director, Ben Reed.
“We see strong opportunities ahead with increased global defence spending and the expansion of green technology, including windfarm support vessels and hybrid ferries. The new facility increases our production capacity by 40 per cent, giving us the ability to deliver more technology, more efficiently, to customers around the globe.”
Minister Penk said, “The opening of HamiltonJet’s new factory reflects the innovation and ambition that define our manufacturing sector. I’m proud to see a Kiwi company representing our country on the global stage, delivering world-class solutions, strengthening local production, and creating skilled jobs. This is exactly the kind of forward-looking investment that will help shape the future of manufacturing in New Zealand.”
HamiltonJet currently employs 187 people, a number projected to grow to 220 once the new facility reaches full capacity. The company also places particular emphasis on developing talent in the Canterbury region. From apprenticeships to graduate programmes, it has created a strong pipeline of skilled professionals, supporting the local economy while exporting New Zealand expertise worldwide.
HamiltonJet Chief Operating Officer, Rob McKenzie-Carroll, says the new facility “gives our team an environment where they can do their best work and where new generations of engineers and tradespeople can develop their skills. It also ensures we have the capability and flexibility to meet our customers’ needs well into the future.”
HamiltonJet plans to open a new office facility on the Christchurch site next year and has space available for another factory of the same size should global demand continue to grow. For more information about HamiltonJet visit www.hamiltonjet.com
About HamiltonJet
HamiltonJet has over 70 years of experience designing and manufacturing waterjet propulsion systems. The company was founded in the 1950s by Sir William Hamilton who pioneered the first commercial waterjet and remains a market leader of waterjets and vessel controls. Trusted the world over for its expertise and innovation, HamiltonJet represents the latest in efficient, robust, high performance propulsion technology. It’s HamiltonJet’s mission to continually optimise performance, efficiency and safety through innovation. Find out more at https://www.hamiltonjet.com/
