HamiltonJet opened a new 7,500sqm manufacturing facility at its Christchurch site on Monday 13 October 2025. More than 450 guests attended, among them Hon Chris Penk, Minister for Building and Construction, in what the company describes as one of the most significant expansions in its 70-year history.
HamiltonJet's origins trace back to the 1950s, when the business was established on the same 6.5-hectare block of Canterbury farmland it still occupies today. From those beginnings, the company grew into the world's leading manufacturer of waterjet propulsion systems, with its products now operating across more than 70 countries in applications ranging from naval and coastguard vessels to commercial ferries, windfarm support craft, and hybrid marine platforms.
The new factory delivers a 50 per cent increase in floor space over HamiltonJet's existing Christchurch base, bringing the total site footprint to 22,500sqm. Dedicated production lines for both small and large waterjet units sit within a building that incorporates solar panels, LED lighting, and heat-recovery systems, in line with the company's commitment to efficiency and sustainability. Overall production capacity increases by 40 per cent.
Managing Director Ben Reed outlined what sets HamiltonJet's manufacturing model apart. "HamiltonJet is unique in that we design, cast, machine, fabricate, paint, and assemble our waterjets entirely in-house. This full capability is unmatched by any of our competitors, and gives us complete control over quality and performance," he said. Reed also pointed to the commercial opportunities underpinning the investment. "We see strong opportunities ahead with increased global defence spending and the expansion of green technology, including windfarm support vessels and hybrid ferries. The new facility increases our production capacity by 40 per cent, giving us the ability to deliver more technology, more efficiently, to customers around the globe."
Minister Penk welcomed the milestone. "The opening of HamiltonJet's new factory reflects the innovation and ambition that define our manufacturing sector. I'm proud to see a Kiwi company representing our country on the global stage, delivering world-class solutions, strengthening local production, and creating skilled jobs. This is exactly the kind of forward-looking investment that will help shape the future of manufacturing in New Zealand."
HamiltonJet currently employs 430 people in Christchurch, with 187 working directly in manufacturing. That figure is projected to reach 220 once the new facility achieves full capacity. The company runs apprenticeship and graduate programmes across the Canterbury region, developing skilled engineers and tradespeople locally while channelling their expertise into global markets.
Chief Operating Officer Rob McKenzie-Carroll said the facility was built with the team firmly in mind. It "gives our team an environment where they can do their best work and where new generations of engineers and tradespeople can develop their skills. It also ensures we have the capability and flexibility to meet our customers' needs well into the future," he said.
HamiltonJet plans to open a new office facility on the same Christchurch site next year. Space is already available for an additional factory of equivalent size, should global demand continue to grow.
