New Zealand's boating and fishing community has a landmark date to circle on the calendar. The Auckland Showgrounds will host the 70th anniversary edition of the Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show from 14 to 17 May, and by every indication it is shaping up to be the most ambitious the event has seen in its long history.
Seven decades is no small achievement, and the organisers are marking the occasion in fitting style. The headline door prize is a Surtees/Yamaha boat package valued at over $380,000, a figure that surpasses anything previously offered in the show's history. As statements of intent go, it is difficult to argue with.
The anniversary programme stretches well beyond prize pools and product launches. Fishing personality Nicky Wilson will lead dedicated workshops for children and for women, each built around practical skills, confidence-building, and fostering a lasting connection to life on the water. Shimano Masterclasses with Matt Watson are also confirmed on the schedule, alongside Safety and Education Workshops and a daily Viking Kayak giveaway. Further additions to the programme are still to be confirmed as the countdown continues.
The show covers the full breadth of the boating world. Trailer boats and big-water rigs sit alongside the latest marine technology, while tried-and-true tackle shares floor space with whatever the industry has been quietly developing over the past year. If it floats, powers, paddles, or pulls up dinner, there is something here for it.
What sets this event apart from a standard trade expo is the sense of community it generates. Visitors compare notes with fellow enthusiasts, pick up new skills, weigh up their next major purchase, and start making plans for wherever the coming season takes them. For many, the show is as much a social fixture as it is a shopping trip.
The Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show Auckland Showgrounds | 14–17 May 2026
