New Zealand’s marine industry is showing clear signs of recovery, with the 25th Auckland Boat Show expanding its footprint to accommodate growing demand from exhibitors as confidence returns to the sector.
Market data shows a turnaround in the final quarter of 2025, driven by new boat sales, commercial vessel construction, a strong second-hand market, and increased demand for refit, maintenance and berthage services. With the exchange rate increasingly favouring New Zealand manufacturers, exports are also strengthening, with around 40% of New Zealand manufactured powerboats now sold offshore.
Reflecting this renewed momentum, the Auckland Boat Show has increased exhibition space by 20% for its 2026 event, creating room for 150 exhibitors and 200 boats both on land and water.
Around 30,000 boats are sold in New Zealand each year, ranging from paddleboards to superyachts, and boating remains the country’s most popular recreational activity, with around 40% of the population taking part.
Auckland Boat Show organiser Stacey Cook says demand from both long-standing and new exhibitors has driven the show’s expansion.
“We’ve seen a lift in confidence across the industry, and that’s flowing directly into exhibitor demand. This year’s show will be bigger, more diverse, and a genuine reflection of an industry that’s moving forward again.”
More space, more boats, more experience
Boats range from inflatables and trailer boats through to high-end luxury motor yachts and sailing vessels. Many designed and built in New Zealand, alongside leading international brands making their local debut.
Centred on Jellicoe Harbour and the Viaduct Events Centre, the four-day event runs from Thursday 5 to Sunday 8 March 2026 and includes more than 1.3 kilometres of boats on the water.
Responding to the renewed popularity of trailer power boats, the show has expanded its Sea Trial zone, with 32 different models available for on-water demos.
Boats range from inflatables and trailer boats through to high-end luxury motor yachts and sailing vessels.
New Zealand craftsmanship and international brands
At the luxury end of the spectrum, a standout new attraction is Kaeā, a 13.8m custom vessel designed by renowned New Zealand designer Bill Upfold and built in Tauranga by Marra Marine.
North Shore-based Allan Tongs Boatbuilders will showcase the latest Elite AT43, with the tenth vessel from the mould on display and an eleventh currently in build, while the 18m Elite motor yacht Zaphira, built by Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders, returns after a strong debut last year.
International brands including Maritimo, Riviera, Grand Banks and Jeanneau will also feature, with several models making New Zealand debuts at the show.
Event Information
The 25th Auckland Boat Show takes place from Thursday 5 to Sunday 8 March 2026 at the Viaduct Events Centre and Jellicoe Harbour in Auckland.
Tickets are on sale at
www.aucklandboatshow.co.nz
Part of Moana Auckland
New Zealand’s Ocean Festival, running from 28 February to 15 March 2026.
The festival is an Auckland Council event delivered by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited. It includes the Auckland Wooden Boat Festival, Z Manu World Champs, and other ocean-inspired events celebrating the cultural heartbeat of Tāmaki Makaurau.
For more details, visit:
A showcase of innovation and excellence
The first Auckland Boat Show, held in 1999 ahead of the America’s Cup, featured just 42 exhibitors. Today, the event represents more than 500 brands and has become the country’s largest on-water boat show, with dedicated zones for careers, sustainability, fishing, high-end charters, and sea trials.
“What’s stayed consistent over 25 years is industry ownership, a focus on excellence, and boats in the water,” says Cook. “That’s what sets this event apart and why it continues to grow.”
New Zealand’s marine industry is estimated to be worth $3 billion, including $800 million in exports. Maritime New Zealand data shows there are around 1.95 million boats in the country, ranging from windsurfers and trailer boats to yachts, launches and commercial vessels.
IF IT’S NEW AND EXCITING IN THE MARINE INDUSTRY, IT WILL BE AT THE AUCKLAND BOAT SHOW, 5-8 MARCH 2026. WITH 150 EXHIBITORS, 200 BOATS ON AND OFF THE WATER, AND THE BEST OF THE WORLD’S MARINE BRANDS, THIS IS NEW ZEALAND’S PREMIER MARINE EVENT.
New releases and debuts at the Auckland Boat Show
NEW BOAT FEATURE: 13.8M ELITE KAEĀ
The 13.8m Elite Kaeā, which means to wander or roam in te reo Māori, is a new and high-profile attraction at this year’s Auckland Boat Show.
Kaeā is the first new build from the up-and-coming yard, Marra Marine of Tauranga. Tauranga, a harbourside city on the east coast of the North Island, is increasingly standing out as a destination for boat building and superyacht refit services and offers superb facilities for yachts up to 50m in length.
Designer Bill Upfold of Elite Marine Design says that his client ultimately wanted to travel between a marina berth in Wellington, the country’s capital city at the bottom of the North Island, and the Marlborough Sounds, an unspoilt boating mecca in the upper South Island, where he had a berth in the township of Picton, and a holiday home. The distance between the two islands is around 20 nautical miles but with significant current and windy southern latitudes, can be challenging.
ABOUT MARRA MARINE
Kaeā was Marra Marine’s first build and securing the project was a milestone for Tim Marra who had built many high-end boats for other brands and established an excellent reputation for superyacht refits including warranty repairs, planned maintenance and teak work.
“While we’ve established the business over the years, the driving force has always been to create quality boats under our own name,”
— Maddie Marra, Co-Director
She and Tim started together from a home garage in 2018, and built up its reputation, workshops, machinery and, most importantly, the team to prepare for this project.
“A boat build is such a journey to go on with a client, it’s special and personal. We always wanted to live by what we wanted our business to do and to be.”
The sweet spot for new builds by Marra Marine sits in the 12-18m size bracket, which is well serviced by both haulout and work spaces in central Tauranga.
With the build of V001 of the Elite 13.5m Kaeā behind them, Marra Marine is eager to talk with potential customers for V002 and they are excited about showcasing the vessel at the Auckland Boat Show.
The brief therefore was for a seaworthy and efficient commuter boat, with the ability to provide for weekends away, with a classic-modern style.
To be safe and comfortable on challenging crossings, the boat is built with lightweight ply-foam-glass construction above and triple-ply vacuum-bagged hull below for strength and weight savings.
Kaeā will be able to transport its crew across the Cook Strait in around an hour: with an efficient drive train thanks to shallow prop tunnels and reduced shaft angles, it can cruise between the two islands at a speed of 27-28 knots, reaching a top speed of around 32 knots.
The boat is notable for its highly crafted finish – both exterior and interior are exceptional. It’s easy to live in, both inside and out, with panoramic windows in the saloon providing visibility, sleeping accommodation for four across two cabins, an open plan saloon and discreet services such as an electric drop-down galley window and bifold doors. The cockpit has plenty of space and storage, and a signature Upfold sliding transom door disappears into the structure. For berthing, there is a second helm station in the cockpit.
Kaeā and Marra Marine will be at the Auckland Boat Show, 5-8 March 2026.
SEA TRIAL THE LATEST AMPHIBIOUS TECHNOLOGY
The new and ambitious Fin Chaser 800 Hard Top, from Hamilton company Fin Chaser, will make its debut at the Auckland Boat Show and is available to sea trial.
The boat will make those considering amphibious vessels take a second look, says spokesperson Tim Fairhurst. “With a deep-vee deadrise hull and Seakeeper Ride, it’s a dry and comfortable cruise and offers the magic combination of a walk-around cabin, accessible via stairs, with internal width, bunk space, and head room.”
The forepeak offers a 6m² fishing and sunbathing area comparable to that of a much bigger boat, with a high bow rail to keep anglers and children safe. At the opposite end of the boat is a clean, expansive boarding platform that is ideal for fishing furnished with twin boarding ladders.
The boat features a 150L passive live bait tank in the cockpit and a Mercury 425hp V10 Verado outboard. Inside the cabin, up to six people can sit comfortably, with sleeping accommodation for four, plus a smartly designed galley and dining area.
“This boat truly does it all – we are excited to show it off at the Auckland Boat Show.”
NEW RELEASES FROM THE JEANNEAU FAMILY AND ORAKEI MARINE
Orakei Marine is also gearing up for a standout display at the Auckland Boat Show 2026.
Making its New Zealand debut is the all-new Prestige F43, a bold next-generation flybridge model that pairs generous interior volume with elegant outdoor living, crafted by this iconic French builder whose heritage is shared with Jeanneau.
Also featuring is the new Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350 – a wider, more spacious evolution of the much-loved JSO349.
These two premieres will be showcased alongside a strong supporting lineup: the Jeanneau SunOdyssey 410; the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 895 Series 2; and the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 1095 – each offering its own compelling mix of capability, innovation, and on-water enjoyment.
NEWLY APPOINTED LOCAL AGENT TO SHOWCASE LATEST MARITIMO
The Motor Yacht Service Centre is an institution in Hobsonville Marina. Founded in 2008, it has a track record of excellence in workmanship and customer service, including as warranty and service agent for Maritimo.
Australia’s Maritimo is a globally recognised brand renowned for innovation and quality.
“We know Maritimos are boats we can stand by,” says spokesperson Matthew Cole. “The business is busier than ever, and we are enjoying the opportunity to sell these brilliant boats that we know so well – we expect see more of them in New Zealand waters.”
To support the brand in the New Zealand market, a new sales and servicing complex is underway at Hobsonville Marina in Auckland. Construction will begin shortly and the new facility should be complete for summer 2026-27. It will feature room for sales, boats in the water, and covered shed space for two 80-foot boats.
As far as the boats that will be on display at the Auckland Boat Show, that will depend on shipping logistics, but all going well, expect to see the new S55 sedan and luxury flybridge yachts and Maritimo’s premier offering, the Maritimo M75.
FAVOURITES RETURN: ELITE AT43 AND 18 ELITE ZAPHIRA
The 18m Elite motoryacht Zaphira from Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders is another Bill Upfold/Elite Marine Design vessel returning to the Auckland Boat Show in 2026. Launched in 2023, Zaphira is the culmination of this line of motoryachts.
The production Elite AT43 from Allan Tongs Boatbuilders is a New Zealand success story that has surpassed expectations and captured the market. Like Zaphira and Kaeā, the Elite AT43 is from the desk of Bill Upfold and Elite Marine Design, and the most recent launch will be on display. Ten of these vessels have now been launched, with #11 currently under construction at Allan Tongs Boatbuilders factory on Auckland’s North Shore.
Designer Bill Upfold of Elite fame says, “This is a high-calibre boat that has been very successful in the market.”
THE RIVIERA 4300 SPORTS EXPRESS
Riviera’s all-new and fabulous 4300 Sports Express is a highly versatile luxury motor yacht with a great sense of fun. Brought to you by RMarine Flagship, it features a sports deck for lounging, dining, and entertaining, a sun deck for relaxing at anchor and a sea deck for all your family water sports. If you want to stay overnight or longer, the living and accommodation deck comfortably sleeps five adults, with a private master stateroom, aft cabin, lavish bathroom with separate shower, main galley and TV lounge.
As the name suggests, the Sports Express will propel you to your favourite spot at over 30 knots, effortlessly and economically. The open stern allows exceptional access to the water for swimming, snorkelling, paddleboarding, fishing, or simply relaxing at the water’s edge.
TRISTRAM MARINE’S APEX EDITION
Tristram Marine’s APEX Edition will make its public debut at this year’s show aboard Team Tristram’s brand new 821 Offshore, aptly named ‘APEX.’ APEX is a new benchmark in onboard specification – a selectable top-end package across the Tristram range that defines the highest level of equipment and system integration available. It represents a new benchmark in the New Zealand trailer boat industry. BNZ
