The 2021 Auckland Boat Show, scheduled for October 7-10th, has been cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions in Auckland.
Following a zoom meeting held yesterday, at which 117 marine industry leaders attended, there was a unanimous decision to cancel the 2021 show.
The consensus from the zoom meeting was to recommend to the NZ Marine Board of Management to cancel the October show sooner rather than later so there is certainty going ahead. Exhibitors advised of how busy they are going to be in the lead up to Christmas and were enthusiastic for a great Auckland Boat Show on 17-20 March 2022 at the America’s Cup Base Harbour.
President of NZ Marine, Garry Lock, advises that ‘The Board of Management very much appreciate the support from all exhibitors, sponsors, stakeholders and suppliers to date and with this decision, we hope that this now gives you and other exhibitors clarity going forward’.
The show, which was to be held at a new facility around the previous Americas Cup bases in Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour, was sold out, with an enlarged onshore facility and a substantial marina. This follows the cancellation of the 2020 Auckland On Water Boat Show, also the result of Covid restrictions.
Peter Busfield, Executive Director of New Zealand Marine, says that they had no option but to cancel the show. While the status of the Covid levels at the time of the show has not been announced, given what happened last year, it is more than likely that Auckland will be subject to restrictions that make the Auckland Boat Show untenable.
Currently, the New Zealand marine market is at an all-time high with long delays for new boats, engines and equipment. Many felt that due to the current high demand for boats and equipment that cancelling this show was not going to be a major problem for them at this time.
The October boat show was to be the last to be held at that time of the year, with the 2022 Auckland Boat Show brought forward to March 17-20. To be held at the same venue as the now cancelled 2021 show, Busfield says that this has given the organisers more time to focus on making the 2022 show even bigger and better.
“We intend to make the 2022 show a real festival of boating, with an emphasis on promoting all facets of boating from kayaks and trailer boats through to the largest cruisers and motor yachts we can get into an expanded marina”, says Busfield.
