NZ Marine Industry News

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NZ Marine News

MAST welcomes pre-trades students at new campus

MAST Academy has reached an exciting milestone with the launch of its first campus-based training. Recently, the first cohort of students came together to begin A Taste of Marine Trades, a hands-on introduction to the marine industries.

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Marine Business

King Watercraft and Fabrum collaborate on high performance hydrogen-powered RIB boat

Fabrum, a New Zealand company leading the world in zero-emission transition technologies, has collaborated on the design and build of a zero-emission hydrogen-powered boat H2Ocean with King Watercraft, a developer of sophisticated New Zealand made rigid inflatable boats.

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Events

New Zealand Marine Industry celebrates Emirates Team New Zealand’s successful defence of the 37th America’s Cup

Emirates Team New Zealand’s win against the best of the United Kingdom, Italy, Switzerland, France and the USA further evidences New Zealand has the world’s best sailors and is leading the world in boatbuilding innovation and technology.

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Marine Business

Superyacht attraction initiatives paying off as NZ Marine reports $212m superyacht economic boost to New Zealand

A new report shows superyacht visitors injected $212m into the New Zealand economy in the 2023/4 season, and has been released as New Zealand ramps up its superyacht attraction initiatives.

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Marine Business

NZ Marine News - new issue out now

The Autumn 2024 issue of the NZ Marine News magazine is out now, with Emirates Team New Zealand’s Taihoro featured on the cover.

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Marine Business

Haines Hunter Goes Amphibious with the New Overlander 725

The ride has just gotten even better with the release of the new Haines Hunter Overlander Pursuit 725, Haines Hunter’s first amphibious craft. The release of the Overlander configuration expands Haines Hunter’s flagship 725 range, and sees the new model combining Haines Hunter’s award winning 21° deep V hull, and the New Zealand designed and manufactured Anura amphibious system – the Overlander is the ultimate adventure machine.

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Events

Auckland’s waters to hum with superyacht racing this week

The clock is on! The New Zealand Millennium Cup gets underway this week, marking the start of Auckland’s inaugural ocean festival. The southern hemisphere’s longest-running superyacht regatta gets underway this week in Auckland. The final countdown is on to the New Zealand Millennium Cup, which will see striking superyachts gather to race in Auckland from this Friday. This year’s Cup is a standout edition of the event, marking the start of Moana Auckland; New Zealand’s ocean festival.

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Events

Inaugural Auckland Wooden Boat Festival announced for March 2024

From 1-3 March 2024 a festival celebrating Auckland’s maritime heritage will be held for the first time on the waterfront. “Wooden boats are in our DNA,” says founder of the event, Tony Stevenson. “We are an island nation, connected by waterways and boats are truly integral to our way of life. Wooden boats are that connection back to our heritage.”

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Apprenticeships

MAST Academy releases impressive first VR showcase ‘engaging, realistic and authentic’

Mast Academy NZ, the training centre for trades in the marine, composites and textiles industries, has released its first VR showcase for the marine industry.

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Events

New Zealand marine industry hits $3 billion

The marine industry is now worth $3 billion annually to the New Zealand economy, achieving around $2.2 billion in local sales, and $800 million in exports. This was among new statistics that showed the size and growth of the industry released at the recent NZ Marine industry conference by Executive Director Peter Busfield.

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Events

NZ Marine Industry Conference 2023 - Tauranga 7 to 9 August

The NZ Marine Industry Association is holding its 2023 Conference at the stunning Trinity Wharf Hotel in Tauranga, from Monday 7th to Wednesday 9th August. We have a great line-up of speakers to inform and inspire our delegates.

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Marine Business

New Zealand Leads Recreational Boating With Design And Production

With its diverse marine environments, from protected harbours to rugged ocean waters, New Zealand has made an exceptional impact on the global market. By focusing on the design and build of recreational products, New Zealand marine companies emphasize the use of materials that can withstand a diverse range of conditions, have a long lifespan, and can be used year-round.

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Events

Marine Biosecurity webinar series - open to all to attend

You are warmly invited to the Marine Biosecurity Seminar Series organised by the Top of the North Marine Biosecurity Partnership and the Top of the South Marine Biosecurity Partnership. A series of three webinars will be held in May and June and are free to attend.

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Marine Business

New National Sales & Aftersales Manager at ENL Group

Electronic Navigation Ltd (ENL) has appointed Mandy Smith as the new National Sales & After Sales Manager for ENL Group.

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Events

Popular attractions return for 2023 Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show

The Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show’s most popular attractions are again set to be a highlight of this year’s 2023 show, being held at the Auckland Showgrounds in Greenlane on May 18-21, 2023.

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Marine Business

Download our latest NZ Marine News magazine

Our bi-annual NZ Marine News magazine has recently been released and distributed to our 500+ marine companies nationwide and all 700+ MAST Academy apprentices. The NZ Marine News provides an excellent update on the many activities being activated by the various marine sectors to grow our industry in 2023 and 2024.

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Marine Business

Propspeed’s CEO on strategy, boat show secrets and Kiwi ingenuity

After its biggest revenue month ever in February 2023, and tremendous growth in sales more synonymous with a startup than a 22-year-old company, Propspeed’s CEO Chris Baird says the secret of its expanding success isn’t a secret at all. It’s that its strategies are simple.

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Marine Business

HamiltonJet unveils HTX47 – the latest jet in its new series of HTX waterjets

HTX47 has improved up its previous jet model to offer a more seamless installation experience. Its new compact inboard footprint design and fully integrated hydraulics system ensure faster installation in the vessel, saving our customers time and money.

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Events

2023 Auckland Boat Show tickets on-sale now

New Zealand’s summer festival on the water, the Auckland Boat Show is our largest on-water boat show and the place to see the latest luxury motor yachts, sail yachts, commercial marine sector, parts, and accessories releases.

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Events

2022’s largest superyacht event in the southern hemisphere, shows yachts have made a return

A superyacht welcome function, held in December marking the start of the cruising season in New Zealand, showed the strength of the return of superyachts to the southern hemisphere cruising grounds.

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Marine Business

Percy Vos Boat Yard - A breath-taking legacy is restored

America’s Cup. Round the world challenges. Sir Peter Blake. Grant Dalton. Westhaven Marina and the Viaduct Harbour. Tamaki Makaurau’s waterfront is Aotearoa’s legendary place for worldwide boating circles. One name that isn’t so widely known is Percy Vos.

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Marine Business

Raymarine’s new Airmar DST810 delivers fast, smooth heel, trim & speed data

Raymarine’s new Generation 2 Airmar Smart Multisensor is a real “must-have” for yacht racers and those who require accurate and sensitive log (speed through the water) data.

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Marine Business

Boating is New Zealand’s favourite recreational activity; according to new survey

Newly-released statistics from the NZ Marine Industry Association show New Zealand continues to grow as a nation of boaters, with 40 percent of the population boating annually and the nation’s fleet growing by an estimated 44,810 vessels per year. Boating is New Zealand’s largest recreational activity with 1.9 million, or 40 percent of New Zealand’s population, participating in boating each year.

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Marine Business

Family Boats appointed NZ’s first Zodiac ‘big RIB’ dealer

New Zealand and South Pacific Zodiac distributor, Lusty & Blundell Ltd, has chosen top Auckland marine dealer Family Boats to be their first “big RIB” retailer.

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Marine Business

Skipperi doubles Auckland fleet

Boat sharing service ‘Skipperi’ is adding a further 20 boats to its greater Auckland fleet, as well as another base at Half Moon Bay.

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Events

Surtees 18th annual Fishing Competition back on!

After most events and competitions were cancelled in early 2022, the rules and regulations have now eased to allow us to host events again for this coming summer. We are all excited to bring the Surtees 18th annual Fishing Competition back to Whitianga on the 10/11th of February 2023!

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Marine Business

2022 Directory profiles NZ’s commercial ship and workboat sector capability

The New Zealand Commercial Vessels Group has published the 2022 Commercial Vessel Directory, profiling New Zealand’s commercial boat building, design, engineering, vessel repair, maintenance & refit capability.

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Marine Business

New Zealand throws open sea borders, welcomes back cruising yachts and superyachts

With New Zealand’s reputation cemented as one of the world’s most serene yet adventurous destinations, New Zealand will throw open its doors to visitors with air and sea borders opening from 1 August, allowing tourists to once again explore and enjoy one of the world’s greatest natural playgrounds.

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Marine Business

CPC programme sets the standard

Boaties heading along to this week’s Hutchwilco Boat Show (12-15 May) will be on the lookout for the perfect boat — but there’s something else they should check for before making a commitment to buy a new boat.‍

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Events

Boaties & fishers proving super keen for 2022 Hutchwilco NZ Boat Show

Kiwi boaties and fishers from all around the country appear keener than ever as the 2022 Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show approaches.

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Events

Barcelona announced as the Host Venue of the 37th America's Cup in 2024

Emirates Team New Zealand and the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron announce Barcelona, in the region of Catalonia as the Host Venue for the 37th America’s Cup to be held in September and October of 2024.

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Marine Business

Emirates Team NZ – putting wing power into production

When most people think of speed records they immediately think of huge powerful engines. But when it is a wind-powered land speed record a normal combustion engine is an obvious absence. Glenn Ashby’s engine is essentially what is above the craft, the wing, rather than what is hidden under the bonnet.

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Events

Marine Biosecurity Seminar Series 2022

Learn from industry experts and scientists leading the marine biosecurity field in New Zealand. All seminars are held on Zoom and are free to attend.

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Events

Huge Surtees/Yamaha Grand Prize again on offer for 2022 Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show

The Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show, to be held at the Auckland Showgrounds in Greenlane, Auckland on May 12-15, 2022, will again attract visitors with the lure of an outstanding Grand Prize.

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Marine Business

NZ Marine News - Summer 2022 issue out now

NZ Marine produces its full colour NZ Marine News magazine twice a year and our Summer 2022 issue is out now.

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Marine Business

Q-West to build Fullers360’s first high speed plug-in electric hybrid ferry

Late last year Fullers360 announced it had reached a critical milestone in its decarbonisation journey with Auckland’s first electric hybrid fast ferry for the Hauraki Gulf ferry network.

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Events

2022 Auckland Boat Show cancelled

With it becoming increasingly unlikely Auckland will be in the Orange Level setting needed for the planned 17-20 March show to run successfully, the exhibitors and organisers agreed that the only option was to cancel the show.‍

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Marine Business

Doyle Sails - the original Structured Luff sails

This year marks three years since Doyle Sails Structured Luff technology became a mainstream product and changed the game of sailmaking as we knew it.

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International

New Zealand superyacht industry bands together to help Tonga

The local superyacht industry in New Zealand, alongside superyachts in the region, is collecting aid and donations for the benefit of Tonga.

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Marine Business

Westhaven Marina chooses Spinlock ‘high quality, comfortable’ lifejackets

New Zealand’s premier marina, Westhaven Marina, has selected the internationally-renowned, high-quality range of Spinlock inflatable lifejackets for their staff.

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Marine Business

Penske New Zealand welcomes DEUTZ to brand portfolio

Penske New Zealand has added another string to its bow welcoming DEUTZ engines to its product portfolio, effective January 2022.

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Marine Business

Weber Marine launches Crazy Diamond in time for summer

Right on cue for summer, Auckland boatbuilder Weber Marine launched Crazy Diamond at Gulf Harbour Marina on the first week of November.

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Marine Business

Nautical Group Holdings Limited acquires Railblaza & NTD Plastics Limited

On 30 September 2021, Ross Pratt & Oriens Capital Fund 2 LP completed the acquisition of Nautical Group Holdings Limited (NGH), a New Zealand entity that has acquired 100% of the shares of Railblaza Limited and NTD Plastics Limited.

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Marine Business

ENL endorses Propspeed's Foulfree for WASSP Multibeam transducers

Auckland, New Zealand – Propspeed, leading innovator of underwater foul-release coatings, announced today it has received an endorsement from Electronic Navigation Ltd. (ENL).

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Events

Auckland Boat Show returns as summer show in March 2022

When the Auckland Boat Show returns, from 17-20 March, 2022, it will be with more exhibitors, in a bigger footprint. With the show moving to March to take advantage of Auckland’s season of boating, the new dates will allow visitors to experience summer on the water at the show.

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Marine Business

Revolutionary new Cyclone open-array radar a strikingly stylish game-changer

Raymarine’s stunning new Cyclone takes open-array radar to the next level, delivering incredibly powerful CHIRP precision in a low-profile, lightweight package.

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Marine Business

Have you checked out Tamaki Marine Park yet?

Located in Gabador Place, Mt Wellington, just five minutes off the motorway and conveniently close to Sylvia Park Mall, Tamaki Marine Park will be Auckland’s newest and most modern marine precinct once construction is completed later this year.

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Marine Business

Typhoon 19 Designed to WOW!

Designed to wow, the Typhoon 19 (T19) from the Kit Carlier Design studio, is an asymmetric vee, wave-piercing super cat. This large-volume power cat provides spaces typically found on a larger superyacht and is ideal for owners seeking a vessel with long-range capabilities and luxury, at speed. The design is available in both sedan and flybridge configurations, with both forward and aft raked screen options.

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Events

It's Safer Boating Week - what's your plan?

Summer is on our doorstep and now is the time to make sure you have the basics covered to ensure you stay safe on the water.Safer Boating NZ wants you to have a great time on the water this summer and are encouraging everyone to take the time to know how to keep safe on the water before you leave the land.

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Apprenticeships

MAST Academy website now live!

MAST Academy works with learners and employers to ensure people are trained with the necessary skills and knowledge to build successful lives and businesses. Our goal is creating a centre of excellence for marine, composite and specialised technology training.

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Marine Business

Smuggler 780 Super Sport Bound for Perth

Smuggler Marine has exported another inflatable RIB to Perth for an Australian buyer – a 780 Super Sport model.

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Events

Coastguard Nelson wins prestigious international accolade at IMRF Awards

Coastguard Nelson have been announced as winners at the International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) Awards – receiving the award for Outstanding Team Contribution to Maritime SAR Operations.

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Marine Business

Stark Bros, Lyttleton launches new build 14.5m NZ Kauri Timber Trawler

For some time Stark Bros has had a new build 14.5m NZ Kauri Timber Trawler in their timber workshop that has slowly been nearing completion - it was finally launched on 21 September.

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