Record number of boats debut at Auckland Boat Show

Organisers of the 2024 Auckland Boat Show say it’s displaying a record number of boats newly released in the New Zealand market.

Filling Auckland’s Jellicoe Harbour and Viaduct Events Centre from today (14 March 2024) until Sunday (17 March 2024), the 2024 Auckland Boat Show has over 250 boats on display, with new boat brands to New Zealand from Norway, Finland, Germany, Sweden, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, and France, as well as new launches from New Zealand.

“The large number of yacht debuts this year reflects the New Zealand marine market’s rapid growth in the larger sections of the market. People are buying bigger, expecting more, and embracing the luxury marine market within New Zealand,” says Auckland Boat Show organiser Stacey Cook.

Marine brokers, 36 Degrees, has introduced the three-cabin performance cruiser Beneteau First 44 to the New Zealand market at the show, direct from France. One of five yachts presented by 36 Degrees, it’s also featuring another New Zealand debut: the Swift Trawler 41 Sedan.

Fellow broker Sports Marine has introduced New Zealand’s first Princess S62; a luxury 62ft sports bridge yacht which comes direct from the United Kingdom. It’s being displayed alongside a new release Bentley Bentayga, with the two brands teaming up for the second year in a row at the boat show.

Superyacht specialist, Ocean Independence, says it has seen a surge of interest in superyacht charters from New Zealanders.

“At Ocean Independence in Auckland at the top end of the market, we are seeing Kiwis chartering large vessels in the Mediterranean then coming home and scaling up,” says Ocean Independence’s Lars Bjorklund.

“With more large yachts visiting the South Pacific it is also increasingly possible to charter larger yachts locally. We’ve found there are a number of clients who, after experiencing the service and luxury of a large yacht charter, want to purchase their own superyacht. Some purchases are facilitated in the Australasia region and we also help clients look to Europe for yachts.”

Orakei Marine is debuting the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 380 sailing yacht, with naval architecture by Marc Lombard and an interior design by Piaton Bercault & Co.

Italy’s Sessa Marine has been introduced to New Zealand for the first time by New Zealand company, Wynyard Marine.

New Zealand builder Rayglass, one of New Zealand’s largest GRP boat builders, today announced the launch of the newest model in its Legend Series, the multipurpose cabin cruiser Legend 3000.

Fellow New Zealand company Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders also released its custom-built 18-metre yacht, Zaphira, at the show. Designed and built in New Zealand, it’s one of four custom-built yachts in the show by New Zealand designer Bill Upfold and Elite Design.