Press release 20 November 2008

The show’s already on the road

Almost as soon as the gates closed on the Auckland International Boat Show 2008, the Marine Industries Association began preparation for next year’s show. With just under four months to go, the MIA is signing new developments on a weekly basis to maximise the show’s standing for New Zealand and overseas exhibitors and visitors.

From 5 to 8 March 2009, the Auckland International Boat Show will again fill Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour with boats – boats newly built in New Zealand, imported from overseas, second hand boats awaiting their next owners and classic beauties reflecting the highest standards of restoration as they embark on their second century on the water.

But the boat show is about a lot more than just boats. Through active and interactive exhibits, seminars and displays, it will reflect the whole experience of boating so that no matter how visitors choose to go boating, they will find ways to enjoy it even more.

Peter Montgomery: the face of the show

Yachting commentator Peter Montgomery will be the face of the show for 2009, bringing his extensive boating knowing and enthusiastic commentary to the air waves reminding boaties everywhere why they just can’t miss the boat show next March.

The Moorings sponsors sailing magic

Enter the gates to the Auckland International Boat Show 2009 and you could find yourself and your significant other on a 40ft yacht in Tonga, enjoying the rustle of coconut palms. The Moorings has returned to provide this fantastic gate prize, which includes flights for two.

The Moorings in Auckland arranges sailing holidays at 42 yacht destinations around the world but company director Shane Walker says the Va’vau group in Tonga is one of the most idyllic sailing destinations in the world. He likens it to a tropical version of the Bay of Islands.

Va’va u provides tropical trappings of coconut palms, white sandy beaches and spectacular snorkelling and diving all within an easy level of sailing. The islands provide sheltered water, good anchorages and reefs that are easy to negotiate.

Visit the boat show next March and you could win a sailing holiday for two to Tonga.

“Get on the water”

Keen boaters will find plenty of help in planning their next adventure at the show’s largest new feature: the Cruising and Safety Hall in Pavillion 7, in the original Team New Zealand base. Its resounding message will be: “Get on the water”.

It’s about making sure you have what you need in equipment and information to cruise safely around New Zealand and offshore. The relaxed atmosphere in the Cruising and Safety Hall will enable one-on-one contact with the experts while free, 30-minute seminars throughout the show will cover general issues from maintenance to how to access the best weather forecast for the area.

The seminars presented by Whiting Power Systems will use an engine to demonstrate the basic checks to run through before leaving port.

Coastguard Boating Education will discuss safety equipment, weather forecasts and boat handling through multi-media presentations.

Line 7 will show technical and lifestyle clothing suitable for boating, explaining not only why it looks good but how it works, to help boaters choose the most suitable garment for their type of boating.

Environment Waikato will discuss by-laws managed by harbour masters around the country to help boaters understand where, for example, fishing regulations, may be different for different locations. This will be particularly useful for people planning to sail or tow their boat away from their home port.

Other exhibitors will include Maritime New Zealand, Hutchwilco, Yacht Lifeline and Island Cruising Association.

Many of the seminars will be complemented by on-water activities such as PWC manoeuvres, powerboat handling, liferaft demonstrations, kayaking skills and safety.

It is envisaged seminars will run from 10.30am to 4.30pm daily. The boat show programme will list the seminar timetable.

There’s so much happening…

The Louis Vuitton Pacific Series and the Millennium Cup Series will run from 26 January to 14 February, in the month preceding Auckland International Boat Show 2009 – a fantastic opportunity to promote the boat show.

International Institute of Marine Surveying

The annual conference of the International Institute of Marine Surveying, involving 18 countries, will be held in Auckland at the same time as the boat show. The Marine Industry Association is working with both these events to ensure maximum benefits for the show.

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