New Zealand Marine News

How Annette Hall accidentally spent 20 years as ‘mum’ to Far North boaties
For the past 20 years Annette Hall has been like a mother to the boaties of the Far North.

Bar Crusher co-founder Peter Cleland awarded BIAV Life Membership
Peter Cleland has been awarded Life Membership of the Boating Industry Association of Victoria (BIAV), with the honour presen...

Peter Brookes, master mariner, master crafts
A life less ordinary: restoring wooden boats.
On July 12, 2025 between 150 and 200 wooden boat enthusiasts flocked to Pete...

Building a legacy: The Jan Saull story
How did Jan Saull come to run one of New Zealand’s oldest boatbuilding companies, a thriving business with a team of 20 highl...

Bill Barry-Cotter and the rebirth of Caribbean: craftsmanship, memory and momentum
The man behind Mariner and Maritimo turns his attention to Caribbean — and refuses to slow down.
“It’s been an interesting...

Navy combat simulator specialist named NZDF Civilian of the Year
Mark Taylor recognised for a lifetime of service shaping the Navy’s combat training capability.

Sarah Psaila: “Everyone deserves to come home”
Meet Sarah Psaila, the Coastguard skipper inspiring confidence and safety on New Zealand waters.

Brendon Cornes on retro boats and modern camaraderie
How a Facebook group has sparked a new community of classic boat enthusiasts across New Zealand.

Chris-Craft president’s Stephen Heese joins NMMA Hall of Fame
Chris-Craft President Stephen Heese joins the NMMA Hall of face, honoured for revitalising iconic brands and shaping marine i...

Peter Lester: sailor, coach, commentator – a true voice of New Zealand sailing
Sailing has lost one of its finest. Peter Lester – world-class sailor, Olympic coach, and one of the most respected voices in...

EXCLUSIVE: Flying the flag. Ken Lupton’s high-speed life between farm and finish line
Exclusive interview: Ken Lupton talks to Boating New Zealand about chasing the HRL title and juggling racing with dairy farmi...

A guiding star for generations of seafarers, Vale Alan Lucas OAM, has died at the age of 89
Boaties across the Tasman remember the author, illustrator, and seafarer who mapped Australia’s coastline for a generation.

Eileen “Red” Bond: America’s Cup matriarch and spirited social icon farewelled in Fremantle
Eileen “Red” Bond, supporter behind Australia II’s America’s Cup success and ex-wife of Alan Bond, dies aged 87—celebrated fo...

Starling chief measurer retires
Starling chief measurer Brian Peet’s family is synonymous with the Starling class.

Sean Herbert: wind foiling’s fast-rising force from Manly to the world stage
In a sport where seconds separate the elite from the rest, Sean Herbert is creating daylight. At just 23, the former O’pen B...

A steady hand at the helm: David Abercrombie retires from Yachting New Zealand
After nearly 15 years steering the course of sailing in Aotearoa, David Abercrombie will officially step down as Chief Execu...

Alan Mummery: The quiet genius of Kiwi yacht design
From a modest Waiheke Island workshop to bluewater classics around the world, Alan Mummery's boats are as understated as the ...

Kim McDell: From skiff champion to the man behind Oyster’s Kiwi connection
Few figures in New Zealand’s marine industry have been as quietly influential—or as enduringly effective—as Kim McDell. Over ...

King’s Birthday Honours 2025 – A sparse year for boating recognition
The 2025 King’s Birthday Honours List has been published, and as far as boating-related accolades go, it’s slim pickings this...

The Robert Brooke story
Role model
From the ashes of a cut-off boatbuilding career, Robert Brooke reinvented himself as an educator and, over a 40-y...

50 years of service to the marine industry
Family Boats’ Tony Singe is marking
50 years in the marine industry.

2025 Hutchwilco Boat Show Hall of Fame gets two inductees tonight
At tonight’s Hall of Fame ceremony, held as part of the annual Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show, two of the industry’s most r...

Tribute evening for Kiwi yacht designer Paul Whiting
A public tribute evening honouring one of New Zealand’s most influential yacht designers, Paul Whiting, will be held at the P...

Farewell to a legend: Bill Goodwin’s incredible legacy in surf lifesaving
Bill Goodwin, until recently New Zealand’s oldest active surf lifeguard, has passed away at the age of 96. His dedication to ...

Dick Marquand 1948-2025
The fishing community has just lost a giant of a legend in Dick Marquand. He was at various times a professional sportfishing...

Terrance (Terry) Cookson 1932 – 2024
Born in 1932 in Merseyside, England, Terrance (Terry) Cookson completed a shipwright apprenticeship in nearby Liverpool. Afte...

Chris Robertson 1927-2024
Many in the marine industry were saddened to hear of boatbuilder Chris Robertson’s passing on December 9, 2024. A long-time, ...

Honouring a Sailor’s Legacy: Remembering Mark Gibbs
The sailing community is mourning the loss of Mark Gibbs, a past Commodore and inspirational sailor who passed away on Saturd...

Sir Peter Blake: A legacy of sailing and conservation
On this day, 5 December 2001, New Zealand lost one of its greatest maritime legends, Sir Peter Blake, to an act of ...

Sailing Away: The Brett Bakewell-White Story
Bakewell-White’s boating story begins with his grandfather, the late Richard (Dick) Bakewell.
A lifelong sailor, in 1961 he ...

Gemma Jones: The Nacra 17 Specialist with Olympic Pedigree
Gemma Jones is a remarkable talent on the New Zealand Women's America's Cup team, bringing an impressive resume of competitiv...

Liv Mackay: The Rising Star of New Zealand Women’s Sailing
Liv Mackay is a dynamic force on the New Zealand Women's America's Cup team, showcasing her exceptional talent and dedication...

Erica Dawson: Pioneering Sailor of the New Zealand Women’s America’s Cup Team
Erica Dawson is a dedicated and highly skilled sailor representing New Zealand in the inaugural Women’s America’s Cup.

Molly Meech: Rising Star of the New Zealand Women’s America’s Cup Team
Molly Meech is a standout member of the New Zealand Women's America's Cup team, known for her exceptional sailing skills and ...

Jo Aleh: Veteran Sailor and Trailblazer for the New Zealand Women’s America’s Cup Team
Jo Aleh is a distinguished member of the New Zealand Women’s America's Cup team, renowned for her remarkable sailing career a...

“Mr America’s Cup”, Veteran Sailor Jimmy Spithill, Announces Retirement Following ...
Australian sailing legend Jimmy Spithill has announced his retirement from competitive sailing after Luna Rossa’s defeat in t...

Obituary: Daniel Gabriel Cottrell
The boating world has lost another legend, an incredibly well-respected boatbuilder. Dan was the foreman and co-owner of John...
Ron Given: 1937-2023
Given’s enthusiasm for twin hulls was infectious, and his more than 70 voyages between New Zealand and Noumea gave him an unp...








