Indholdsfortegnelse for November 2025 i Boating NZ

A bill designating 19 new marine protected areas for Hauraki Gulf Marine Park has been passed, with the new regulations slated to come into effect “before the end of 2025.” Comprising extensions to two existing marine reserves (Cathedral Cove and Cape Rodney/Goat Island), 12 high-protection areas, and five large seafloor protection areas, the Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Act is New Zealand’s most significant increase in marine protection in over a decade, and it will have a considerable impact on recreational fishers, divers, and boaters in the region. No fishing whatsoever is allowed in high-protection areas, including for lobsters and shellfish, except for the customary practices of tangata whenua. Strangely, some limited commercial ring-netting is still permitted. Go figure. Line fishing, spear fishing, and diving for seafood are allowed in…

Moana Auckland, New Zealand’s Ocean Festival, returns for its third edition from 28 February to 15 March 2026. This ocean-inspired celebration will take place over three weekends on Auckland’s waterfront, featuring a refreshed programme that captures the spirit of summer, the power of the ocean, and the cultural heartbeat of Tāmaki Makaurau. The festival is expected to attract around 100,000 people, supporting local businesses and boosting regional GDP by an estimated $4.5 million. Moana Auckland is an Auckland Council Event, delivered by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU). Mayor Wayne Brown and Nick Hill, CE of TAU, highlight the festival’s appeal and its role in extending the summer season and reinforcing Auckland as a prime summer destination. Anchor events include: Seafood & Summer Weekend (28 February – 1 March); The Z Manu…

The Auckland Wooden Boat Festival returns to the city’s waterfront from 13-15 March 2026. Organisers invite wooden boat owners to participate in this free event, which celebrates Auckland’s maritime heritage. The festival will be held across four venues: the Viaduct Events Centre, Jellicoe Harbour, the New Zealand Maritime Museum, and the Percy Vos Heritage Boat Shed. As part of Moana Auckland, New Zealand’s Ocean Festival, the event aims to showcase the city’s maritime culture and history. New Zealand has the largest fleet of classic yachts still actively sailing in the world. The inaugural festival in 2024 featured over 200 boats and attracted more than 11,600 visitors. In 2026, event organisers hope to draw an even larger fleet and more enthusiasts. The festival will include boat tours, seminars, interactive displays, music,…

Ellison Hollands, a 14-year-old from Tauranga, is New Zealand’s latest world champion in Water Ski Racing. Ellie, along with her dad, Gene (boat driver) and Jeff Weake (observer), won three out of four races at the IWWF World Junior Girls Championship in Belgium. She is the third Kiwi to win this title and can defend it in two years, as the competition is for under-17s. Amos Ratuki, 15, from Hamilton, won a bronze medal with his team, despite having to switch to an Austrian boat and driver due to technical issues. Kyle Taylor from Palmerston North placed 8th in Men’s Formula 2 and received an Outstanding Sportsmanship Award for helping a fellow competitor. Overall, it was a successful campaign for the young New Zealand team. The NZ series starts at…

September 23rd saw all of New Zealand’s Volvo Penta dealers gather in Tauranga for their annual conference and dealer awards celebrations. Kaikoura Marine was celebrated for its 26 years of dedication to the Volvo Penta product; Seafarer Marine, Picton, was celebrated for its outstanding achievement in Marine parts sales; Ovlov Marine, Auckland City Branch, received the award for the top engine sales dealer for the year; and Matakana Marine achieved the award for the top marine dealer of the year for the third year in a row, an outstanding achievement. www.volpower.co.nz…

SOME HIGHLIGHTS FIND ALL OUR MOST-READ ONLINE ARTICLES HERE AT WWW.BOATINGNZ.CO.NZ/STORIES-OF-THE-MONTH OR SCAN THE QR CODE DRIVEN BY DESIGN From quiet craftsmanship to offshore competition, this month’s most-read Boating New Zealand web stories shared one theme – momentum. Whether driven by design, tradition, or innovation, Kiwi boaters keep moving forward, reshaping what it means to live by and with the sea. NEW ZEALAND TOUCH Kevin Dibley’s Picnic Boats celebrated the return of simple, elegant lines with a distinctly New Zealand touch – a reminder that beauty doesn’t need bravado. Aaron Beattie’s self-built catamaran showed the depth of personal vision that fuels our boatbuilders, while the return of the Auckland Wooden Boat Festival proved that heritage has a strong pulse on the waterfront. SYDNEY TO AUCKLAND Far offshore, racing stories drew…

Very few boats make quite such an impression within the first few months of their launch as the Viknes 10. Here was a boat that, for an all-in, all the fruit package of NZ$830,000, brought to the table three cabins, a massive cockpit, walkaround side decks, a lovely flow of day space and a high-spec standard features list that included side gates, vast sunroofs, a second helm, convertible seats and a whole load of cleverly conceived storage compartments. Objective though we try to be, it was one of those boats that immediately set you thinking how it might feel to take one home; how it might work for you and your family; how it might look, nestling at a berth in your local marina. …this is about as rewarding a…

PETER CARLSON and the team at Family Boats are very proud of delivering their 20th Assault amphibious boat. The team believes the Assault range represents the highest quality and best-riding amphibious boats on the market. Currently available in 8.0m and 9.2m cabin top models, a new smaller model will be released in 2026. This milestone wouldn’t have been possible without Family Boat’s Assault build partners: Matcraft, Explorer Marine, and West Auckland Upholstery, along with an outstanding in-house team under the guidance of their Assault Boats Manager, Mark Taiatini. www.familyboats.co.nz…

JAMES DALZELL from The Nautical Group luxury yacht brokers has announced the group will represent premium American centre-console luxury sportfishing boatbuilder HCB Yachts in New Zealand. HCB builds a range of high-end, outboard-powered centre-console craft up to 65 feet in length (19.8m) with super-luxurious interiors and a variety of cabin configurations and flybridge options, depending on the model. Power options range from triple 300hp Mercury or Yamaha outboards, or twin 600hp V12 Mercurys, for the smallest 39-foot (11.9m) Speciale models, right up to five or six Mercury 600hp V12 outboards, or five Yamaha 450 V8s, for the flagship 65-foot Estrella range. Dalzell is planning to visit the factory later this year and is looking for expressions of interest from New Zealand customers. He already has a potential customer based here.…

OWNASHIP WELCOMES SCOTT LITTLE to the team. Scott joins Ownaship’s brokerage division, working alongside owner/director Simon Barker with a focus on selling new Maritimo and Caribbean boats. Scott brings a wealth of experience, having spent 18 years as Sales Director for Rayglass Boats, so it’s safe to say he knows his way around the marine world. Known for his positivity, strong customer relationships, and approachable nature, Scott’s a great addition to the crew. “I’m thrilled to be joining Simon and the Ownaship team and look forward to being part of a world-class experience with Martimo Motor Yachts,” says Scott. www.ownaship.co.nz…

As National Safe Boating Week (6-12 October) begins, Century Batteries urges New Zealanders to prioritize water safety, starting with the often-overlooked boat battery. With boating on the rise, flat or faulty batteries are a leading cause of marine rescues. Last summer, Coastguard volunteers responded to 1,232 incidents, many due to battery issues. Shaun O’Brien, General Manager-Automotive at Century Batteries, emphasises that many of these incidents can be prevented with basic checks and understanding the demands on marine batteries. Properly maintained marine-specific batteries are essential for both performance and safety. With personal watercraft registrations up 30% in five years, preparation is crucial. Century Batteries ambassador Adam Clancey highlights the importance of pre-launch checks to ensure a worry-free day on the water. CENTURY BATTERIES OFFERS THESE TOP BATTERY SAFETY TIPS: • Ensure…

Artemis Racing, Sweden’s acclaimed sailing team, announced its return to the Rolex SailGP Championship for the 2026 season as Artemis SailGP Team. Led by CEO Iain Percy, an Olympic gold medallist, and backed by Torbjörn Törnqvist, the team aims to make a significant impact in the championship starting January 2026 in Perth, Australia. The team will feature Nathan Outteridge as the driver, bringing his experience from leading the Japan SailGP Team to success in previous seasons. Outteridge, on the left, expressed excitement about reuniting with the team and showcasing Swedish sailing on a global stage. Founded in 2007, Artemis Racing is known for innovation and excellence, having competed in the America’s Cup. Percy emphasised the team’s focus on leveraging cutting-edge technology and past experiences to compete at the highest level…

You have to look way back within the company’s range to find comparisons, the most recent being the 43 Offshore Express of 2009 that was labelled by one scribe as a ‘fisherman’s playground’. That, the 4300 is not. Nor is it quite like the Riviera 4000 Offshore of 1996 or the open M430 dayboat of 2007, and certainly not the 1987-vintage Riviera Diavolo 44 with its Miami Vice overtones. Really, the 4300 also differs from just about every other express cruiser currently on the market. While certainly as playful, the new model is more capable and versatile than its peers in many aspects. The amenity and integrity we’ve come to expect from the bigger Riviera models is writ small, most notably in the space utilisation and overall presentation. There’s also…

Located at Tauherenikau Race Course on State Highway 2, four kilometres east of Featherston, the purpose-built track has been the home of Wellington and Wairarapa Jet Sprinters for almost 20 years. Jet sprint racing at Tauherenikau kicked off on the 22nd of April 2006 with an inaugural meeting that attracted 28 competitors and an estimated 2,500 to 3,000 spectators. Before Tauherenikau, Wairarapa Jet Sprinters raced on the Ruamāhanga River, just north of the South Wairarapa town of Martinborough. The setup was elegantly simple: dig a network of narrow channels out of a shingle bank, link them to the main channel, launch the boats, and go racing. Wairarapa rivers presented challenges. Rising in the Tararua Ranges, the Ruamāhanga and its western tributaries respond very quickly to rain in the mountains. A…

MARITIMO LUXURY MOTOR YACHTS has announced its participation in the Sydney International on Water Boat Show, taking place from November 13 to 16 at Darling Harbour’s Cockle Bay. This event marks a significant milestone for the brand, as it makes its return to the show after several years. The show’s new timing in November and its refreshed format have created the perfect opportunity for Maritimo to reconnect with its customers and showcase its world-class vessels. Maritimo will be exhibiting two of its most celebrated models, the M50 and M55 Flybridge luxury motor yachts. In addition, the event will also offer a glimpse into the future of Caribbean Boats. Attendees will have the exclusive opportunity to preview what’s next for this beloved Australian brand, known for its rugged reliability and timeless…

LUXURY MOTORYACHT builder Riviera will exhibit at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show from October 29 to November 2, 2025, with the Americas Premiere of three magnificent yachts – the highly versatile 4300 Sports Express (pictured below) and the long-range and luxurious 64 and 72 Sports Motor Yachts in a new Series II edition. The grand showcase will feature 12 motoryachts from Riviera’s outstanding collection of 24 individual models from 39 to 78 feet, spanning the Sport Yacht, SUV, Sports Motor Yacht and Belize designs. www.rivieraaustralia.com…

ZEROJET HAS INTRODUCED a new electric RIB package based on the AB Inflatables Lammina AL platform. This high-performance, cost-effective electric tender combines AB Inflatables’ renowned hull design with ZeroJet’s integrated jet propulsion system, offering enhanced performance, safety, and accessibility on the water. The package includes the AB Inflatables Lammina AL RIB with a ZeroJet Tiller Steer electric jet drive, providing a smooth, quiet ride with excellent manoeuvrability. The concealed jet drive enhances swimmer safety and allows for easy operation in shallow waters. The tiller-steer configuration maximizes deck space and offers intuitive control. ZeroJet’s CEO, James Morton, highlights the system’s lightweight and efficient design, making it a competitive choice for the cruising market. The Generation 3 system delivers 15kW of continuous power, equivalent to a 20hp outboard, and is powered by…

“Clean boats are fast boats that perform well, but they also don’t spread marine pests that we are worried about,” says senior marine biosecurity advisor at Auckland Council, Sam Happy. “Biofouling pests are the ones that attach to your hull or get into prop shafts and other nooks and crannies, including under your keel bulb. They can be sneaky, and an up-to-date antifoul or recent clean is the best way to stop them.” She says this message is important to all boaties but especially those heading to the outer Hauraki Gulf Islands, including Aotea/Great Barrier Island, and further afield into Northland and the Coromandel this summer. She says that rules do apply in almost all of New Zealand’s regions, and best practice is for your boat’s hull and fittings to…

New Zealand’s oldest sporting event, the Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta, returns on Monday, 26 January, 2026, with a diverse line-up of fleets and exciting new additions. The regatta will feature keelboats, dinghies, foiling craft, classic yachts, heritage launches, working tugboats, and paddle craft racing on the Waitematā Harbour and Hauraki Gulf. Highlights include the new ‘Sail Past’ Parade from the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron to North Head and the inaugural Regatta After-Party for crews, families, and supporters at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron with live music from the Royal New Zealand Navy Band. This event celebrates Auckland’s maritime culture with races open to everything from cutting-edge foiling skiffs to century-old classics. www.regatta.org.nz The regatta will feature dinghies, foiling craft, classic yachts, working tugboats and paddle craft.…

A significant New Zealand study involving nearly 1,900 anglers, the largest of its kind globally, has shown that fishing can significantly boost wellbeing and mental health. Published in the international journal Leisure Sciences, the study found that active anglers were 52% less likely to report psychological distress or thoughts of self-harm. The research, led by Fish & Game New Zealand in collaboration with Dr Shyamala Nada-Raja from the University of Otago and independent researcher Paul Garbett, used validated clinical assessment tools to demonstrate these findings. Additionally, active anglers were 46% less likely to experience moderate-to-severe anxiety. The study highlights the mental health value of fishing, with Fish & Game New Zealand Chief Operating Officer Richie Cosgrove noting the scale and rigour of the findings. The research also identified specific elements…

Rising New Zealand windfoiling star Stella Bilger (above) has claimed the biggest title of her career, winning the iQFOiL under-23 world championships in Portimão, Portugal. The 20-year-old stunned the fleet with a tactical masterstroke in the second of two medal races, splitting from her rivals and holding her nerve in the final stages to secure gold – leading a remarkable Kiwi one-two with teammate Aimee Bright taking silver. The four-rider final featured Bilger, Bright, and Norwegian duo Mina Mobekk – who went on to win bronze – and Maya Gysler. Bright advanced directly after qualifying second overall, while Bilger, who qualified fourth, first had to navigate her semifinal to reach the finale. Bilger, who won the SailGP Inspire title in San Francisco in 2023 sailing a Waszp, described the victory…

Initially held yearly, then biannually, Australia made the early running, but in recent years New Zealand has had the edge. Typically the challenging team crams 20 boats into a shipping container; the host nation fields up to 30, and the fleet is divided: 10 Kiwis vs 10 Kangaroos; 10 Wallabies vs 10 Tuis, and sometimes some local invitees. REINSTATING THE RIVALRY It was felt – on both sides of the Tasman – that the break had gone on long enough. Teams, based on performance in their most recent Nationals, were invited for a 2025 event. Winter selected itself calendar-wise (nobody wants a boat missing-in-transit during the on-season), and the Australians chose a Queensland lake as the battleground. The New Zealand Association (NZPTOA) started the – largely voluntary and unsponsored –…

THE BENETEAU GRAN TURISMO 50 sets a new benchmark for power cruising in New Zealand with its bold design, luxury finishes, and innovative crossover styling. Positioned above the Gran Turismo 35 and 40, this limited-edition model, in collaboration with Alpine, offers upgraded performance and refined luxury. Guided by Japanese principles of kanso (simplicity) and yugen (grace), the GT 50 blends power, elegance and innovation. This release underscores Beneteau’s 140-year commitment to innovation and craftsmanship, making the Gran Turismo 50 a symbol of elegance and adventure. Connect with 36° Brokers to discover more. www.36degrees.nz…

The latest model of Smuggler Strata amphibious RIB also has a few new tricks up its sleeve, including seating for 10, a layout providing a walk-through, one-level platform for fishing and diving, and a quieter, more efficient electric-over-hydraulic drive system for the amphibious gear. The 800SS was released at the end of 2024 and was on show at the Auckland on-water and Hutchwilco boat shows this year. The SS part stands for ‘Super Sport’, meaning that rather than having a centre-console setup, it has a little hardtop and more traditional helm and passenger seats, like a typical bowrider trailer boat. It’s based on the popular Smuggler 780 Super Sport RIB, with the addition of an amphibious setup: three permanent wheels, driven by an electric-over-hydraulic system designed by Kiwi company Anura.…