New Zealand has long been renowned for the quality of its custom-built boats, with a reputation for craftsmanship, design and performance that extends well beyond our shores. The Auckland Boat Show has played a part in building that reputation, providing a platform for some of the country’s most accomplished designers and boatbuilders to showcase their work, connect with customers and grow their brands.
Among them are established names like Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders, Allan Tongs Boatbuilders and naval architect Bill Upfold of Elite Marine Design, whose collaborations across numerous projects have produced some of New Zealand’s most recognisable luxury motor yachts.
And at the 2026 show, we welcomed a newcomer to the world of custom boatbuilding. Tauranga-based Marra Marine made its show debut with Kaeā, a striking 13.8-metre Elite motor yacht that was one of the standout New Zealand-built vessels on display.
Designed by Bill Upfold, Kaeā (pictured above) was created for an owner who wanted a fast, comfortable and seaworthy vessel for regular crossings of Cook Strait between Wellington and the Marlborough Sounds.
With a cruising speed of 27–28 knots, two cabins, generous indoor and outdoor living spaces and beautifully executed detailing throughout, the boat demonstrated the close relationship between design, craftsmanship and the practical demands of boating in New Zealand waters.
For Tim and Maddie Marra, Kaeā was also an important milestone. Having established their business in a home garage in 2018, the couple built a reputation for high-quality refit and maintenance work before taking on their first complete new build under the Marra Marine name.
Their ambition is to build custom vessels in the 12–18 metre range, adding another name to New Zealand’s substantial boatbuilding sector.
“New Zealand has an extraordinary depth of boatbuilding talent, from the established yards through to smaller businesses making their mark. What sets our industry apart is the combination of design expertise, practical boating knowledge and the ability to work closely with an owner to create exactly the boat they want. The Auckland Boat Show gives people the chance to see that quality for themselves, meet the builders and start conversations that can lead to their next boat,” says Bill Upfold.
Building on a strong heritage
Established builders were also strongly represented at the 2026 event.
Allan Tongs Boatbuilders returned with the latest Elite AT43, the tenth vessel produced from the popular design, with an eleventh already under construction. Built on Auckland’s North Shore, the AT43 combines the character and finish of a custom-built motor yacht with the efficiencies of a proven production design.
Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders showcased the 18-metre Elite motor yacht Zaphira, which had made its show debut the previous year. The Auckland-based yard has an established reputation for custom boatbuilding and high-quality finishes, and the show continues to provide opportunities to connect with prospective clients.
Tracey Stevenson described the Auckland Boat Show as the industry’s pinnacle event, saying that the relationships and collaboration fostered there were important for the business. The company finished the 2026 event with discussions underway about possible new builds.
Another standout was Hawke’s Bay-based Dickey Boats, which presented three vessels: the Semifly 36, Semifly 45 and the impressive Pacific 62 long-range sport fisher.
The range demonstrated the breadth of the company’s capabilities, from luxury recreational cruisers to substantial offshore vessels designed for extended adventures. Dickey Boats reported strong interest from new and existing customers, reinforcing the value of giving buyers the opportunity to step aboard and experience the workmanship for themselves.
For builders of these substantial vessels, the commercial value of the Auckland Boat Show extends beyond sales made during the four-day event. A custom boat is a significant investment, and the process of selecting a designer and builder can involve months or even years of research and relationship-building. The show brings serious prospective buyers together with the people who can deliver their vision, creating opportunities for new commissions and long-term business relationships.
From luxury launches to trailer boats
New Zealand’s boatbuilding strength is not confined to large custom vessels. The country has a particularly strong reputation for aluminium and fibreglass trailer boats, designed for the fishing, diving and coastal cruising that are so much a part of the Kiwi lifestyle.
These builders were well represented at the 2026 Auckland Boat Show, with brands including Extreme Boats, Innovision, Stabicraft, Surtees, Senator, Haines Hunter, Rayglass, Profile Boats and Makaira Boats.
Among the new releases was the Offshore 1100 HTC Power Cat from Offshore Boats NZ, a foil-assisted power catamaran designed for offshore fishing, diving and adventure cruising.
Fin Chaser Boats presented its new 800 Hard Top amphibious boat, combining offshore capability with the convenience of amphibious access, while Tristram Marine brought the premium 821 Offshore APEX Edition, demonstrating the increasingly sophisticated equipment and finishes available in New Zealand-built trailer boats.
Smuggler Marine also showcased its 800 Super Sport, continuing a boatbuilding story that began in 1986 when the business was established as David Pringle Boatbuilders. Initially building sailing yachts, the company moved into powerboats in 2004 and has been a longstanding supporter of the Auckland Boat Show.
At the smaller end of the market, New Zealand businesses such as Offshore Cruising Tenders and Takacat demonstrated the country’s expertise in tenders and inflatable craft, serving both domestic and international customers.
For these manufacturers, the show’s on-water format provides another important commercial advantage: prospective buyers can experience vessels underway. With approximately 1,200 sea trial trips undertaken during the 2026 event, visitors had opportunities to compare boats, assess their performance and make informed purchasing decisions. Exhibitors reported strong buyer interest, with some securing sales and others generating enquiries expected to translate into future business.
A platform for the next generation
What brings these very different businesses together is an understanding of how people use boats, and the ability to translate that knowledge into well-designed, capable vessels.
New Zealand boatbuilders operate in a highly competitive international market, but they have some important strengths: skilled tradespeople, experienced designers, close relationships with customers and a domestic boating culture that demands performance in a wide range of conditions.
With an estimated 40% of New Zealand-manufactured powerboats sold offshore, the industry also has an important export story to tell. The Auckland Boat Show plays a role in connecting New Zealand marine businesses with domestic and international customers, while demonstrating the depth of capability across the wider industry.
For established businesses, the show is an opportunity to reinforce their reputation, introduce new models and reconnect with customers. For newcomers such as Marra Marine, it offers a platform to introduce a new name and demonstrate what they can achieve.
The 26th Auckland Boat Show, taking place from 1–4 April 2027 at Auckland’s Viaduct Events Centre and Jellicoe Harbour, will once again celebrate New Zealand’s marine industry, alongside leading international brands, marine technology and equipment.