The just-released line-up of March’s Auckland Boat Show is a strong indicator of an adventurous few boating seasons to come.
The show, held from 6-9 March in central Auckland’s Jellicoe Harbour and Viaduct Events Centre, has a reputation for hosting boat debuts; from trailer boat releases to luxury yachts. In 2024’s edition, a record number of boats made their entry into the New Zealand market, with new releases from a spread of manufacturers drawn from France, the United Kingdom, the USA, Italy, Sweden, Germany, Norway, Finland and Spain, plus New Zealand and Australia.
The 2025 show line up is building on last year’s success, with the show emerging as the place to release new designs and unveil new vessels to the public.
Wally
Making its Australasian premier at the show, the ultra-stylish 40-knot-plus wallytender43 has just arrived in New Zealand and has already been causing a stir. The design is unmistakably Wally, developed by Wally and Ferretti Group’s engineering department.
An angular glass windscreen, hull with sharp origami-esque lines and carbon sailcloth hard-top are the first aspects to catch the eye, but the design behind this day boat is all about being fit for purpose.
An inviting stern swim platform gets a size boost when the wallytender43’s aft wings fold down, creating an expansive area close to the water. There’s a walk-around cockpit, with plenty of shade and protection for guests and sunbed forward providing extra space to lounge.
A comfortable cabin below features a bathroom and double berth, though it’s the wallytender43’s looks and performance which are likely to set it apart when it’s released to Australia and New Zealand at the Auckland Boat Show in March. An ergonomic helm station, propulsion to 880hp, with fine-tuned performance and handling make this one to watch.
Legacy Marine
Following the successful 2024 launch of its Legacy 70 custom aluminium motoryacht, New Zealand builders Legacy Marine will bring its adventurous, luxurious take on custom aluminium motoryachts to the 2025 show. With two vessels on show, the Legacy Marine team will be showcasing its biggest custom vessel – a Legacy 70 designed for cruising the Pacific in comfort – and a new 55ft multihull, the Legacy L55SF, which will be introduced to the public for the first time in Auckland in March.
Dickey Boats
Napier’s Dickey Boats will launch its Pacific 62. The ever-popular boatbuilder describes the Pacific 62 as its most-capable long range sport fisher-meets-explorer to date. Designed to appeal to adventurers, it will merge versatility and fuel efficiency with exceptional seakeeping abilities. Generous living space equipped with facilities for self-sufficiency add to the appeal for local excursions or extended sea voyages. The Pacific 62 has all the amenities and space serious fishers and divers expect. High levels of equipment customisation can be accommodated as required without compromising on safety or efficiency.
Scott Lane BoatBuilders
Appealing to those who appreciate both efficiency and speed, Scott Lane Boatbuilders will present a foil-assisted catamaran at the 2025 show. The foil-assisted vessel is designed by Roger Hill and made entirely of carbon fibre. It follows the successful debut of the first in this series, which displayed a high level of customisation, luxury features and many accessories, combined with the extra capability and excitement of speed the foiling design delivers.
Lloyd Stevenson BoatBuilders
For fans of innovation and world-leading products, Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders, builders of Catalyst boats for both Alinghi and INEOS, will make the same vessel design available to consumers at the central Auckland show, along with other New Zealand-designed launches.
Rayglass Boats
Likewise, Auckland-based company Rayglass, which supplied Protector vessels for America’s Cup officials and the race village, will display its vessels to the public in March.
Tickets on sale
Tickets are on sale now for the Auckland Boat Show 2025, and visitors can expect growth on the 2024 show, which displayed 400 boats and a wide array of marine product and service companies. The event’s sea trial marina allows show visitors to not only learn about new products, vessels and services, but to also experience them on the Waitematā Harbour. Known for that large sea trial area, and for providing a launching point for new marine releases, it is a favourite on the southern hemisphere marine calendar.
The show also has a fast-growing reputation for being a hub for innovation releases, with new technologies and fine-tuned services from within New Zealand’s marine industry being released at the show.
“We’re a marine nation and it makes sense that we lead the world in creating better ways to be safer, faster, and more sustainable on the water,” says show organiser, Stacey Cook.
Tickets are on sale now at – www.auckland-boatshow.com
