Amphibious boats have become one of the defining stories of New Zealand boating, and the 2026 Auckland Boat Show, opening on 5 March, makes that status official. With exhibitors spread across both the VEC and outside stands, amphibious craft are treated as a centrepiece rather than a curiosity.
For anyone unfamiliar with the technology, the core idea is straightforward. Retractable wheel systems, typically a bow wheel paired with two transom wheels, allow a boat to move under its own power from a hardstand, garage, or beach directly into the water, making trailers unnecessary. Power for those wheels is delivered either through hydraulic systems driven by pressurised fluid or, increasingly, through electric high-torque motors with control-by-wire steering. The wheels retract cleanly during water use, leaving performance on the water unaffected.
Around coastal New Zealand this capability has moved well beyond novelty. Operators on Waiheke Island and across the Coromandel use amphibious craft routinely. Tourism businesses load passengers straight from beaches. Rescue and patrol agencies rely on them to respond quickly in areas where formal boat ramps simply do not exist.
Anura Amphibious Systems VEC Ground Floor, Stand 104 https://www.anura.nz
One company that has shaped the local amphibious market since 2012 is Anura Amphibious Systems, a New Zealand business that develops high-performance systems for boat builders at home and overseas. Their modular design philosophy means aluminium and fibreglass hull manufacturers can incorporate amphibious capability without sacrificing ride quality. Anura's view of the 2026 Auckland On Water Boat Show is telling: the company sees the event as positioning amphibious craft as a genuine drawcard, reflecting how thoroughly mainstream this segment has become. An Australian example of the Anura system in action offers a picture of what the technology can do in real-world conditions.
Fin Chaser Marina, M58 (for sea trials) http://www.finchaser.co.nz
Hamilton builder Fin Chaser will be putting its latest creation in front of show visitors and, importantly, in the water for sea trials. The Fin Chaser 800 Hard Top Amphibious vessel combines a Mercury 425 hp V10 engine with the Anura S30 Electric system, a pairing the builder believes sets a fresh performance and versatility benchmark for New Zealand conditions. The real-world capability of an amphibious Fin Chaser was demonstrated during a sea rescue, a story that underlines why this technology matters beyond convenience.
Haines Hunter Outside, Stand OS6 https://www.haineshunterhq.co.nz
At Stand OS6 outside the main hall, Haines Hunter HQ will exhibit an Anura-equipped Haines Hunter model, a clear signal that established brands are now treating amphibious integration as a standard part of their offering rather than an optional extra.
Smuggler Marine Outside, Stand OS4 https://www.smuggler.co.nz
West Auckland's Smuggler Marine arrives at the 2026 show with a milestone to celebrate. The business traces its origins to David Pringle Boatbuilders, founded in 1986, which makes 2026 its 40th year of boatbuilding. The company produces fibreglass RIBs, tenders and amphibious boats ranging from five to eleven metres, with custom finishing available across the range. This year's exhibit will feature their latest bow rider style amphibious craft, and Smuggler Marine has indicated they intend to unveil new amphibious technology at the show, giving visitors a first look at the next phase of their development.
Tectrax and electric amphibious drive Outside, Stand OS22 http://www.tectrax.co.nz
Stand OS22 brings together two complementary exhibitors. Tectrax has built its amphibious drive system around electric brushless motors rather than hydraulics, a choice that reduces the number of moving parts and keeps maintenance demands lower. Wheel control and steering are managed through a joystick and a small display, keeping the operator interface simple. Alongside their drive system, Tectrax will also show the Boat Launcher, a remote-controlled amphibious trailer system designed to launch standard hulls without needing a tow vehicle.
Flyfin Boats Outside, Stand OS22 https://flyfinboats.com/
Sharing that same outside stand with Tectrax, Flyfin Boats will present the Flyfin Amphibious 750 Hard Top, a model that uses the Tectrax amphibious system and which Flyfin describes as their flagship. The 750 HTA is designed to carry serious fishing capability alongside features that suit families, combining both purposes in a single hull.
The Nautical Group and Iguana Outside, Stand OS4B https://www.thenauticalgroup.co.nz
The Nautical Group will display the Iguana Fisher, an amphibious platform built with fishing as its primary purpose. The layout includes a livewell, an insulated fish box, rod storage and a protective design suited to offshore conditions. Amphibious capability adds beach access and remote launching to a boat that is, at its core, a dedicated fishing machine.
Electric drive systems, control-by-wire technology and modular integration now define the next generation of amphibious boats. What began as a niche engineering exercise has grown into a genuine part of how Kiwis reach the water, and the 2026 Auckland Boat Show reflects that shift.
