XPO Exhibitions has announced Stabicraft, one of New Zealand’s most iconic aluminium boat manufacturers, as the Official Grand Prize Boat Partner for The Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show for 2027 and 2028.
Day three of the Hutchwilco NZ Boat Show at Auckland Showgrounds, Saturday 16 May 2026. Photo: Stephen Barker / Barker Photography. ©XPO Exhibitions
The two-year deal reunites two of the country’s best-known boating names and comes as Stabicraft celebrates 40 years of manufacturing in 2027. This will be the perfect backdrop for what organisers promise will be a landmark year at New Zealand’s largest boating event.
Stabicraft and XPO are already developing a major activation coinciding with the 40 year anniversary of Stabicraft. Grand prize details, supporting partners and visitor experiences will be announced closer to the show. Stabicraft were selected following a competitive Expression of Interest process open to existing and prospective boat, engine, trailer and marine technology partners.
A Reconnection Built on History
Stabicraft has exhibited at the Boat Show for decades and previously served as grand prize boat provider from 2013 to 2015. For XPO, the new partnership pairs a celebration of that heritage with a brand synonymous with innovation, safety and performance-driven aluminium design.
Day three of the Hutchwilco NZ Boat Show at Auckland Showgrounds, Saturday 16 May 2026. Photo: Stephen Barker / Barker Photography. ©XPO Exhibitions
Founded in Invercargill in 1987 by Paul Adams, Stabicraft has grown from its Southland roots into a globally exported success story, where he invented the world’s first Aluminium Positive Buoyancy Chambered boat. Adams, a Boat Show Hall of Fame inductee, will appear at the 2027 show with the team, promoting StabiX, and Stabicrafts brand essence of adventure engineering, innovation and safety day in, day out!
“Stabicraft have been hugely successful selling premium aluminium craft at this Boat Show for many decades and have enjoyed a significant lift in boat sales at this iconic event, including the recent 2026 edition. We’re pumped to be partnering with XPO to tell our story of New Zealand manufacturing excellence and further showcase our brand as a leader in trailer boats, to not only a New Zealand audience, but to consumers and dealers from neighbouring countries too,” comments Stabicraft CEO, Aaron Greene.
Thanking Surtees
The show organisers are extremely grateful for the past decade-long partnership with Surtees as grand prize boat provider, during which more than $2.5 million in premium boat packages were given away. Equally so, they wish to thank the valued contributions from Yamaha, Garmin, Hutchwilco, and many other marine suppliers.
Day three of the Hutchwilco NZ Boat Show at Auckland Showgrounds, Saturday 16 May 2026. Photo: Stephen Barker / Barker Photography. ©XPO Exhibitions
Looking Ahead
The Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show remains New Zealand’s largest marine event, drawing over 30,000 visitors each year. The first major announcement detailing the full prize boat package for 2027 will land in the coming months. “Let’s just say Stabicraft, XPO and leading marine engine and tech providers are working on something very special,” said Brent Spillane of XPO Exhibitions.
“We believe this game-changing grand prize package will generate excitement right across New Zealand and attract a significant uplift in high-intent visitors to the show.”
For more information, visit stabicraft.com and boatshow.co.nz
