The Auckland marine industry is finding its feet again, and the 25th Auckland Boat Show is growing its footprint to meet demand from exhibitors across a recovering sector.
Market figures point to a genuine turnaround in the final quarter of 2025. New boat sales, commercial vessel construction, a buoyant second-hand market, and rising demand for refit, maintenance and berthage services have all contributed to the shift. Exports are strengthening too, helped by an exchange rate that increasingly favours New Zealand manufacturers, with around 40% of locally made powerboats now finding buyers offshore.
The 2026 show has responded to that momentum by expanding exhibition space by 20%, creating capacity for 150 exhibitors and 200 boats across land and water displays.
The scale of New Zealand's boating culture helps explain why the industry is so resilient. Around 30,000 boats are sold here every year, covering everything from paddleboards to superyachts, and approximately 40% of the population takes part in boating of some kind, making it the country's most popular recreational activity.
Auckland Boat Show organiser Stacey Cook says the expansion is a direct result of pressure from both returning and first-time exhibitors. "We've seen a lift in confidence across the industry, and that's flowing directly into exhibitor demand. This year's show will be bigger, more diverse, and a genuine reflection of an industry that's moving forward again."
The four-day event runs from Thursday 5 to Sunday 8 March 2026, centred on Jellicoe Harbour and the Viaduct Events Centre. Visitors will find more than 1.3 kilometres of boats moored on the water, with vessels ranging from inflatables and trailer boats through to high-end luxury motor yachts and sailing craft, including many designed and built in New Zealand alongside international brands making their local debut.
In response to the resurgence in trailer powerboat popularity, the show has also enlarged its Sea Trial zone, where 32 different models are available for on-water demonstrations.
Some of the most compelling exhibits sit at the luxury end of the spectrum. Kaeā, a 13.8-metre custom vessel conceived by renowned New Zealand designer Bill Upfold and built in Tauranga by Marra Marine, is among the standout new attractions. North Shore-based Allan Tongs Boatbuilders will present the latest Elite AT43, with the tenth vessel from that mould on the floor and an eleventh currently under construction. The 18-metre Elite motor yacht Zaphira, built by Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders, returns to the show after making a strong impression at its debut the previous year.
International brands including Maritimo, Riviera and Jeanneau will feature alongside the local builds, with several New Zealand premieres among their displays.
"People come to the show to see what's new, to shop for a boat, and to immerse themselves in the marine world," Cook says. "You'll find everything from trailer boats and amphibious craft to sport fishers, custom New Zealand builds and some of the finest luxury yachts available for sale and charter."
NZ Marine Executive Director Peter Busfield organised the very first event back in 1999, and he says the past year has marked a genuine turning point for the sector. "The industry has come through a low point and is now entering steady growth again. We're hearing consistently from members that sales activity has picked up, people are upgrading, and the second-hand market is strong. It's not a boom, but it is a clear and encouraging turnaround."
Busfield also points to something less tangible but just as important in explaining New Zealand's standing in the global marine market. "Boating is part of our DNA. People from all backgrounds have access to the water, and that creates a discerning domestic market. That knowledge and experience feeds directly into the quality of boats we design and build, and is why they're increasingly sought after internationally."
The show's origins feel modest by comparison with what it has become. When the first Auckland Boat Show opened in 1999 in the lead-up to the America's Cup, just 42 exhibitors took part. Today, the event represents more than 500 brands and stands as the country's largest on-water boat show, with dedicated zones covering careers, sustainability, fishing, high-end charters and sea trials. "What's stayed consistent over 25 years is industry ownership, a focus on excellence, and boats in the water," says Cook. "That's what sets this event apart and why it continues to grow."
The wider industry those exhibitors represent is substantial. New Zealand's marine sector is estimated to be worth $3 billion in total, with exports accounting for $800 million of that figure. Maritime New Zealand data puts the number of vessels in the country at around 1.95 million, spanning everything from windsurfers and trailer boats through to yachts, launches and commercial craft.
The 25th Auckland Boat Show runs from Thursday 5 to Sunday 8 March 2026 at the Viaduct Events Centre and Jellicoe Harbour in Auckland. The event forms part of Moana Auckland, New Zealand's Ocean Festival, which runs from 28 February to 15 March 2026. An Auckland Council event delivered by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, the festival also encompasses the Auckland Wooden Boat Festival, Z Manu World Champs and a range of other ocean-focused events celebrating the cultural heartbeat of Tāmaki Makaurau.
