YESTERDAYS, TODAYS & TOMORROWS
ALLAN TONGS BOATBUILDERS
Allan Tongs Boatbuilders has been in business building custom composite and traditional luxury boats in Auckland, New Zealand, since 1983.
Allan created a name for himself, building luxury custom boats of various sizes, but more recently, the company has been widely known for the production of their three-cabin Elite AT43 model. They have a great team of specialists, qualified boat builders, and marine cabinet makers working from their purpose-built premises on Auckland’s North Shore. With Allan retiring in 2022, his son Nigel has taken over the family business with his wife Ester.
CRUZPRO LTD
CruzPro Ltd. is a family owned business founded in 1997 by Bert Van Den Berg.
Since its inception, the company has developed over 100 products for the leisure and commercial marine sectors, as well as for emergency vehicles like fire trucks and ambulances. All manufacturing takes place in Whangarei, where CruzPro utilises robotic assembly lines and automated testing equipment. CruzPro’s product range includes engine, electrical, electronic, fuel and tank gauges, multi-function instruments, gas detectors, and related accessories. Many of these products are exported globally. CruzPro also manufactures and brands products for well-known marine companies, including Coursemaster, Newmar, Si-Tex, Kussmaul, E-marine, and Innovative Marine Safety. The company has supplied products to organisations such as the USA and New Zealand Coast Guards and various offshore navy vessels. For the past six years, Bert’s son Olin and his wife Samantha have been managing the business’s daily operations.
EXTREME BOATS
From a small shed on a rural property, Extreme Boats founder Glenn Shaw combined his engineering skills with a passion for fishing and boating to produce a few aluminium boats in a market heavily dominated by fibreglass.
Today, Extreme Boats is one of New Zealand’s largest alloy builders, with a team of around 100 staff and a well-earned reputation for quality, innovation, and integrity. The family-owned and operated business has also established Legacy Marine, producing a range of luxury Aluminium Motor Yachts and undertaking larger custom/commercial builds to look after those wishing to travel further for longer. Extreme Boats and Legacy Marine are proudly family-owned and operated, built with passion and backed with pride.
FIN CHASER MARINE
Since 1992, Fish City Hamilton has been a cornerstone of the Waikato fishing community, thanks to the dedication of Ross Christensen and his team.
Over the years, they have specialised in fishing equipment and boat retail, earning a stellar reputation. In 2011, they launched their own boat brand, FC Boats, which has grown exponentially. Today, FC Boats boasts 15 models and has expanded its reach with dealers across New Zealand and recently, in Townsville, Australia. Now, Fish City Hamilton is embarking on a new journey. This October, they rebranded as Fin Chaser Marine, marking the end of an era for their fishing and hunting department. Ross and his son Max (who joined the team as a boat builder in 2015), have decided to focus entirely on the manufacturing, sales, and service of their (FC)- Fin Chaser boats, including their seven innovative amphibious models.Â
While it’s bittersweet to see the fishing tackle department close this summer, the excitement around Fin Chaser is palpable. Ross and Max are immensely proud of Fish City’s achievements and grateful for the support from the Waikato fishing community. They look forward to continuing their relationship with customers through Fin Chaser Marine, which will continue to sell and service Mercury and Suzuki outboards and a full range of accessories to pimp your boat.
FUTURA TRAILERS
Futura Trailers represents the culmination of over 65 years of trailer innovation. The Reid family’s journey began in 1956 when Alan Reid first started building trailers, eventually growing into one of New Zealand’s largest and most respected trailer brands.
Futura Trailers, a homegrown, family-owned business, was founded by Glen and Jake Reid, who drew upon their extensive hands-on experience from their early years working in the family business, Reid Trailers, which was established and later sold by their father Alan Reid. Glen and Jake recognised the untapped potential for innovation within the trailer industry right from the get-go. Their vision was clear: to transform the trailer experience for discerning car owners. This vision led to the creation of Futura Trailers, where they revolutionised the car trailer market with their groundbreaking lowering trailer design. As they expanded into the boat trailer market, Futura sought to match the sophistication and elegance of the high-end watercraft they would transport. Their boat trailers blend form and function, featuring advanced materials like anodised aluminium and innovative design elements, including aluminium load-sharing torsion axles, patented weld-less connections, and a sleek aesthetic that complements any vessel.
Today, Futura Trailers is a leading brand in key international markets, including the US, Japan, and Australia. The Reid brothers continue to refine their product range to meet the evolving demands of boat and car owners worldwide. Through their unwavering commitment to innovation, quality, and precision engineering, Futura Trailers has earned a reputation for creating durable, high-performance trailers that embody a legacy of craftsmanship and pride of ownership.
MOTOR YACHT SERVICE CENTRE
Dean and Glynis Ryder, the founders of Motor Yacht Service Centre, moved to Auckland in 1976, where Dean started his boatbuilding career before eventually running the Riviera warranty and aftermarket service for 10 years – having owned seven Rivieras themselves, boating is in their blood.
Twenty years ago, Dean and Glynis started carving their own path with the then-new Maritimo Luxury Motor Yachts, and they have built a reputable name in the marine industry through their dedicated service, expert craftsmanship, and commitment to client satisfaction. Now, with their daughters and son-in-law joining the company, the business has evolved into a true family affair, embodying the spirit of a generational enterprise. Dean and Glynis have spent decades honing their skills and building strong relationships with Motor Yacht owners, captains, and suppliers. Known for their hands-on approach and meticulous attention to detail, the Ryders have become synonymous with reliability and quality in motor yacht maintenance, repair, and management. Motor Yacht Service Centre is embracing a new era with their daughters and, more recently, their son-in-law stepping into the family business. Their involvement brings a fresh perspective and new energy while upholding the core values that have made the company a trusted name. Whether it’s handling client communications, assisting with project management, or introducing innovative solutions, the younger generation adds a modern touch to the company’s strong foundation. The addition of the next generation strengthens the team and enhances the client experience. The family’s united passion for Motor Yachts ensures that every project, from routine maintenance to complex refits, is handled with care, expertise, and a personal touch. This transition sets the stage for continued growth while preserving the ethos of a business built on trust, skill, and family pride. Motor Yacht Service Centre continues to offer a wide range of services, including Motor Yacht maintenance and repairs, project management, consultation, and Luxury Motor Yacht Sales. The involvement of the Ryder family across multiple aspects of the business allows for a level of personalised service that is increasingly rare in the industry. With Dean’s vast experience, Glynis’s keen organisational skills, and their daughters and son-in-laws fresh enthusiasm, the Ryders are steering Motor Yacht Services towards an exciting future. The next generation is poised to continue the family legacy, combining tradition with innovation to meet the evolving needs of the Motor Yacht community.
HAMILTON JET
Hamilton Jet was founded by William Hamilton, who developed the first jet boat in 1951.
Fast-forward 70 years, and Hamilton Jet remains a market leader in waterjets and vessel controls. Hamilton originally set out to build a boat that could navigate the shallow, fast-flowing rivers where he lived. The rivers were too shallow for propeller-driven boats to navigate, as the propeller would hit the river bottom. From there, the company grew and is now a global leader in water jet propulsion. William Hamilton retired in 1965 and was knighted in 1974 for his ‘valuable services to engineering’. After he passed away in 1978, he was posthumously inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame in 1990 and the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame in 2004.Â
Today, Hamilton Jet still remains in the Hamilton family, with William’s son Jon at the helm of the company as Managing Director. With over 440 employees worldwide, their global network of three regional offices in Europe, Asia, and the Americas, as well as 55 distributor partners, they are the largest waterjet propulsion manufacturer. With this coverage, they can provide round-the-clock support for all their customer’s needs when required.
ROGERS BOAT SHOP
Rogers Boat Shop was established in 1973 by Roger Arkell, who set up the boat dealership having worked at Parkercraft for many years and helping establish the brand at the time.
One of the first brands brought onboard was Buccaneer, and Roger’s still are the dealer for the North Auckland region today. Roger’s son Nigel officially joined the business in 1988. Nigel took over the Albany yard in 2000, with Roger based out of the Northshore branch of the business. With Roger passing away in 2010, Nigel now owns and runs Rogers Boat Shop, also with his nephew Alistair working in the business too.
VOODOO YACHTS
Voodoo Yachts evolved from Pachoud Yachts, a Kiwi custom luxury composite boat-building company. The story is one of family, innovation, and a profound passion for the sea.
Founded in 1987 by Dave Pachoud in Rotorua, New Zealand, Pachoud Yachts began with a small team
of just three. Dave’s vision was to build high-quality, high-tech custom boats, and his dream quickly became a reality. He crafted the first boat—a 36ft monohull motor launch—alongside his wife, Judy, her father, Harold, and a group of family and friends. The launch was such a success that it attracted three buyers eager to own one. Dave sold the boat to one of them, bought a shed, hired staff, and set to work building larger vessels for the other two clients. And so, with a foundation rooted in family and humble beginnings, Pachoud Yachts was born.
As a proud Kiwi in a nation with one of the highest rates of boat ownership in the world, Dave took his passion for boating to the international stage. The company soon became known for crafting luxury catamarans from advanced composite materials. As word spread and their client base grew globally, Pachoud Yachts outgrew their Rotorua facility and relocated to a new, state-of-the- art waterfront shipyard in Tauranga. Many of the original team members moved with the company, and Dave’s brother and sister joined the business as well.
Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Pachoud Yachts continued to expand its reputation, mastering technically complex projects such as racing yachts, high-performance vessels, helicats, and even a cutting-edge ocean rowboat. Dave developed a deep passion for designing luxury boats that pushed the limits of efficiency and performance, leading him to establish a Research and Development department focused on advanced hydrodynamics and hydrofoil technology. This innovative spirit eventually resulted in the creation of the VOODOO design, marking the next chapter in the company’s evolution. In 2017 Dave’s son, Mitch Pachoud, joined the business, bringing experience from a range of other construction industries around the world. At this point Pachoud Yachts had built 56 new build yachts and carried out many more high-end refits. The tales of Voodoo’s adventures were spreading and orders for more of the same design were flowing in. In 2019 Dave and Mitch founded Voodoo Yachts together to give the Voodoo design the focus she deserved. They are a family of boaties with a true passion for the water and for nature. They’ve lived and breathed these boats and bring their vast experience on the ocean to bear in the form of continuous design improvements. They design and build such impressive craft because they spend so much time on them and intimately understand them. They are also proudly Kiwis. Much of the Voodoo Xpedition Foiler’s styling and layout draws its roots from the relaxed, easy going Kiwi way of living, and from their deep connection with the ocean. New Zealand is the perfect place for developing boats.
WHITE POINTER BOATS
32 years ago, Rex Briant founded White Pointer Boats. Trained as a diesel mechanic, Rex had a passion for all things mechanical and building, which fueled his dream of crafting boats.
With aluminium boat technology still emerging, he saw a unique opportunity to create vessels capable of navigating New Zealand’s challenging waters while delivering an exceptional experience for their occupants. Driven by this vision, he collaborated with expert designers to establish a distinctive hull shape, and one by one, the boats began to materialise. As word spread, the company grew, adding staff and expanding its developments each year. Over the years, Rex also designed Jet Sprint racing hulls for numerous competitors, including his brother, leading the brand to achieve world title status. In the mid 2000s, Rex even competed in Jet Sprint racing himself, achieving world title recognition along with multiple New Zealand championships, balancing boat building by day with racing in the evenings. As time went on, White Pointer Boats continued to evolve, gaining a reputation for reliability, innovation, and exceptional quality. The company broadened its offerings to include a variety of sizes and configurations, catering to a diverse range of marine enthusiasts. Recently, Rex’s second oldest son, Angus, joined the business, taking on roles in R&D, fabrication, social media, and marketing, and positioning the company for future growth. A passionate hunter and gatherer both on land and at sea, Angus brings a deep understanding of client needs to the team.
