The Auckland Boat Show holds a distinction no other event can claim: it is the southernmost on-water boat show in the world. Marking its 25th anniversary across four days from 5 to 8 March 2026, the show brings together more than 150 exhibitors and over 200 boats displayed both on and off the water.
New releases and New Zealand premieres will feature prominently this year, spread across the marina and hardstand. For anyone wanting to understand where the local boating market is headed, this is the place to start.
*13.8m Elite Kaeā, Marina, M28*
Among the most anticipated arrivals is the 13.8m Elite Kaeā. Designed by Bill Upfold and built by Tauranga-based Marra Marine, the vessel represents the yard's first new build.
The design brief was deliberately demanding. The boat was conceived as a capable commuter between Wellington and Picton, covering twenty nautical miles of Cook Strait where tidal conditions and southern weather rarely cooperate. Efficiency mattered, but seakeeping came first. What has emerged is a modern classic with genuine offshore credibility and enough comfort for extended stays in the Marlborough Sounds.
*Elite AT43 by Allan Tongs Boatbuilders, Marina, M26*
Also drawing on Bill Upfold's drafting board, the updated Elite AT43 continues to build momentum in the local market. Constructed by Allan Tongs Boatbuilders, the 43-foot launch has been shaped around the realities of how New Zealanders actually use their boats.
Fishing, diving and coastal cruising sit at its core. The AT43 brings together practicality and refined finishing in a way that feels natural rather than forced. With ten hulls already launched and more currently under construction, this is a proven platform rather than an experimental concept.
*Offshore Boats NZ 1100 HTC, Marina, M32*
Offshore Boats New Zealand will introduce the 1100 HTC, a serious offshore package that incorporates foil-assisted efficiency into its design. Twin 350hp Yamaha V6 outboards and full Helm Master control, including dual joystick stations, place handling front and centre. The foil assistance improves ride quality and efficiency without adding unnecessary complexity. The result is a purpose-built platform suited to game fishing, diving and long coastal missions.
*Surtees 770 Game Fisher XL, Marina, M54/M56*
Surtees will present the new 770 Game Fisher XL, with on-water demonstrations available by booking. This is not a general-purpose boat with rod holders added as an afterthought. The 770 has been designed from the ground up as a fishing platform, with genuine shelter and overnight capability built deliberately into the package. Constructed in Whakatāne, it reflects years of owner feedback from those wanting to push further offshore and stay out longer without sacrificing the ride quality and balance the Surtees name is known for.
*Rayglass 2400 hull preview, Marina, M63*
Rayglass will use the show to reveal its all-new 2400 hull, giving visitors an early look at a model that has been years in development. Early previews of new hull forms are uncommon, and given Rayglass's reputation for ride quality and build quality, expectations will be running high. The stand will also feature the Rayglass 2700 and Rayglass 3000, alongside RAM New Zealand.
*Tristram 821 Offshore, APEX Edition, Outside, Stand OS5*
Tristram's 821 Offshore APEX Edition raises the specification bar. The package includes an APEX steering wheel, digital dash switches, a custom rocket launcher, triple rigged game poles, underfloor rod storage, LED lighting, and both freshwater and saltwater washdown systems. The 821 APEX has already been put to work in real-world conditions, recently tested hard offshore by Kingsley and the Lateral Line Legends.
*Fin Chaser 800 Hard Top Amphibious, Marina, M58*
The Fin Chaser 800HTA Hard Top Walkaround Amphibious targets a combination of serious offshore performance and multi-role flexibility. Power comes from Mercury's 425hp V10 Verado, and the layout centres on a true walkaround design that preserves cabin width, bunk space and headroom throughout. Forward, a 6m² platform provides genuine working and lounging space, while the overnight layout supports extended missions. Amphibious thinking applied to practical offshore use.
*Riviera premieres, Marina M15 and R Marine Flagship, Westhaven*
R Marine Flagship will present two Riviera models making their New Zealand debuts. The Riviera 4300 Sports Express, capable of more than 30 knots, combines open stern access, entertaining space and accommodation for five. Alongside it, the Riviera 58 Sports Motor Yacht arrives locally for the first time, with increased fuel capacity and systems integrating solar and lithium technology to support extended offshore independence.
*SARGO 45, Australasian premiere, Marina, M35*
European Marine brings the Finnish-built SARGO 45 to New Zealand for its Australasian premiere. Designed for year-round adventure cruising, the SARGO 45 pairs wheelhouse protection with proven offshore capability. The boat was recently named Adventure Boat winner at the Motorboat and Yachting Awards, a result that reflects its practical European design philosophy suited to challenging conditions.
*Excess 11, Marina, M50*
Presented by 36° Brokers, Nina Simone is the first Excess 11 to reach New Zealand, having sailed across from Australia. At 37 feet, the Excess 11 delivers twin performance helms, a square top main and open cockpit living, offering sailors a compact yet engaging multihull option in a market with a strong appetite for versatility.
*Seawind 1170, Marina, M22*
Fresh from being named Multihull of the Year at the British Yachting Awards, the Seawind 1170 represents a new generation of performance cruising catamarans. Built at Seawind's European facility and supported locally through the partnership between Multihull Central and Icon Azzure, the 1170 blends offshore capability with cruising comfort in a format that resonates strongly with Kiwi sailors.
