Stabicraft has been named the Official Grand Prize Boat Partner for the Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show for 2027 and 2028, show organiser XPO Exhibitions announced yesterday. It’s a role the Invercargill-founded manufacturer last held a decade ago, and this time it happens in the year Stabicraft marks 40 years of manufacturing.
A grand prize boat partner is the sponsor whose vessel headlines the show’s major prize draw each year. Stabicraft was selected following a competitive Expression of Interest process that XPO opened to existing and prospective boat, engine, trailer and marine technology partners.
Stabicraft has exhibited at the show for decades, and this new deal picks up a story that runs back to 2013, when the brand last supplied the grand prize boat, in partnership with Yamaha, for three years running. Stabicraft and XPO are already developing a major strategy to mark the 2027 anniversary, though the grand prize package itself, supporting partners and visitor experiences won’t be confirmed until closer to the show.
“Stabicraft have been hugely successful selling premium aluminium craft at this Boat Show for many decades and have enjoyed a significant lift in boat sales at this iconic event, including the recent 2026 edition,” said Stabicraft CEO Aaron Greene. “We’re pumped to be partnering with XPO to tell our story of New Zealand manufacturing excellence and further showcase our brand as a leader in trailer boats, to not only a New Zealand audience, but to consumers and dealers from neighbouring countries too.”
The announcement also closes out a decade-long chapter for Surtees, which has supplied the grand prize boat since taking over from Stabicraft, with more than $2.5 million in premium boat packages given away over that run, including the $380,000-plus Surtees/Yamaha package won at this year’s 70th anniversary show. XPO also thanked Yamaha, Garmin, Hutchwilco and its other marine suppliers for their contributions.
Stabicraft was founded in Invercargill in 1987 by Paul Adams, who built what’s recognised as the world’s first aluminium boat with positive buoyancy chambers. Adams, a Boat Show Hall of Fame inductee, is expected at the 2027 show alongside the Stabicraft team, promoting sister brand StabiX.
“Let’s just say Stabicraft, XPO and leading marine engine and tech providers are working on something very special,” said XPO’s Brent Spillane. The full grand prize boat package for 2027 is due to be announced in the coming months. “We believe this game-changing grand prize package will generate excitement right across New Zealand and attract a significant uplift in high-intent visitors to the show,” Spillane said.
