Twenty-five years after its founding, the Auckland Boat Show remains true to its original vision, and one of the people who shaped that vision has had a front-row seat throughout. Boating New Zealand's Tim Porter was among the small founding group who believed, back when the Viaduct was freshly opened and America's Cup banners still lined the waterfront, that Auckland needed a genuine on-water showcase for the country's boatbuilders and marine suppliers. A quarter-century on, he still sits on the show's board.
“BACK THEN WE WERE FIGURING IT OUT AS WE WENT — HOW TO GET THE PONTOONS IN, WHO’D EVEN TURN UP,” TIM LAUGHS. “NOW THERE’S A KILOMETRE OF BOATS IN THE WATER AND THE WHOLE INDUSTRY’S INVOLVED. IT’S A PROPER REFLECTION OF WHO WE ARE AS A BOATING NATION.”
The 2026 edition runs from Thursday 5 to Sunday 8 March, bringing the Viaduct Events Centre and Jellicoe Harbour to life with 150 exhibitors and 200 boats spread across land and water. Organised by NZ Marine, the show has always been owned and operated by the industry itself, and Tim points to that structure as the source of its distinctive character.
"You can walk the docks and talk directly to the people who designed or built the boat you're standing on," he says. "That's what makes it special — you're talking to boatbuilders, not sales reps."
The range on display reflects the full breadth of New Zealand boating: nimble trailer boats, amphibious craft, sportfishers, luxury yachts, and custom Kiwi builds that speak to the country's reputation for quality construction. Around 30 boats will be available for sea trials, giving attendees the opportunity to judge performance on the water rather than from the dock.
More than 500 brands will feature across the four days, from world-first technology launches to established Kiwi success stories. Dedicated zones will cover marine careers, sustainability initiatives, and charter opportunities, reflecting an industry that is thinking seriously about both its future workforce and its environmental responsibilities.
Stacey Cook of NZ Marine says that breadth is what keeps the show fresh and relevant year after year.
“PEOPLE COME BECAUSE THEY LOVE THE SEA. THEY WANT TO SEE WHAT’S NEW, TO DREAM, TO BUY, TO BE PART OF IT — AND THAT HASN’T CHANGED IN 25 YEARS.”
The boat show serves as the centrepiece of Moana Auckland, New Zealand's Ocean Festival, which runs from 28 February to 15 March 2026. Woven through the wider festival are events including the Auckland Wooden Boat Festival and the Z Manu World Champs, adding colour and energy to the harbour precinct. Support from Auckland Council and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited is expected to drive stronger attendance and draw greater international interest than previous editions.
Boating New Zealand, the country's most popular monthly boating publication both in print and online, is proud to be the Media Partner of the event once again.
What has remained constant across all 25 editions is the show's core purpose: bringing the boating community together, celebrating what New Zealand craftspeople produce, and reminding everyone, from seasoned industry figures to first-time visitors, why time on the water matters.
“THE BOATS ARE DIFFERENT AND THE TECHNOLOGY’S MOVED ON,” SAYS TIM PORTER, “BUT THE FEELING’S THE SAME. IT’S STILL ABOUT PEOPLE, IDEAS, AND THAT PULL WE ALL HAVE TOWARDS THE SEA.”
📍 Viaduct Events Centre & Jellicoe Harbour, Auckland 📅 Thursday 5 – Sunday 8 March 2026 🎟️ Tickets: www.aucklandboatshow.co.nz from the 24th October
