Boating New Zealand is proud to return as the official media sponsor of the 2026 Auckland Boat Show, marking 25 years of celebrating the ingenuity, craftsmanship, and passion that define Kiwi boating.
Set right on the harbour in the heart of Auckland, the show has grown from humble beginnings into New Zealand's premier on-water event, a true reflection of this country's deep connection with the sea. That journey stretches all the way back to 1999, and Boating New Zealand has been part of the story from the very beginning. Tim Porter, one of three founders who helped bring the event to life, remains an active member of the organising committee to this day. His continued involvement across a full quarter of a century speaks volumes about the dedication and passion that have kept the show thriving at the centre of New Zealand's marine calendar.
Tickets went on sale last Friday, and early interest points to another standout year for exhibitors and visitors alike.
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The Auckland Boat Show has always been the place where industry and public come together, whether the draw is trailer boats, luxury launches, the latest marine technology, or advances in safety gear and on-water equipment. That breadth is part of what has made it the country's most recognised marine showcase, and it shows no sign of narrowing.
In the weeks ahead, Boating New Zealand will take readers through the show's 25-year history, revisiting the milestones, landmark launches, and the personalities whose enthusiasm and expertise helped shape the event into what it is today. This anniversary invites reflection, but it points just as firmly toward what is still to come.
Work is already well underway for the 2026 show, with plans shaping up to deliver something genuinely memorable, a celebration of Kiwi boating culture on a scale not seen before. As the countdown begins, we look forward to sharing that journey with our readers and the wider boating community, casting an eye back to where it all started and forward to a promising horizon on the Waitematā.
