New Zealand's First Marine GPS Tracker Using One NZ Satellite, Powered By Starlink, Launches

Wellington startup NZ Boat Register partners with One NZ to launch AquaGPS, the country’s first GPS tracking device to use One NZ Satellite powered by Starlink, giving people who love to get in and on the water location awareness from the driveway to up to 85 nautical miles offshore.

A new GPS tracking device that seamlessly switches between cellular and satellite connectivity is now available to New Zealand’s recreational boat owners, making it the first device of its kind in the country.

AquaGPS, launched by Wellington-based NZ Boat Register and powered by One NZ’s traditional cell tower and satellite networks, delivers location tracking that keeps working when traditional cell-based trackers drop out. When within range of One NZ’s 4G network, the device transmits frequent location updates through cell towers. When it moves beyond cell coverage, it automatically connects to One NZ Satellite wherever the sky can be seen to continue transmitting periodic location updates, with no manual intervention required.

The service is also believed to be the first publicly demonstrated battery-powered asset tracking device to achieve satellite connectivity on mobile hardware, with a linked digital ownership record for the recreational marine market.

“This solves a problem every boat owner understands,” says Sam Allen, Co-Founder and Chief Executive of NZ Boat Register, “Until now, most standalone GPS trackers under $400 stopped working the moment you left cell range. AquaGPS keeps working, whether your boat is on a trailer in the driveway, moored at a marina, or up to 85 nautical miles offshore. Its coverage is exceptional and is self contained so not needing to be wired in. With a battery life optimised for satellite connectivity.”

Closing the Coverage Gap

New Zealand’s geography has long been a challenge for affordable asset tracking. Approximately 40 per cent of the country’s landmass sits outside traditional cell tower coverage, according to One NZ. Coastal waters, remote boat ramps, backcountry stations, and offshore fishing grounds have all been out of reach for most consumer-affordable cellular-based GPS devices.

Existing cellular-based GPS trackers lose connectivity as soon as they move beyond cell-tower range. Satellite-capable alternatives exist, but at price points that are generally beyond the reach of most recreational users.

One NZ changed that equation when it became the first telecommunications provider in the world to launch a nationwide satellite TXTservice in late 2024, and extended this to IoT devices in June 2025, a capability One NZ described as “another global first.” AquaGPS is the first consumer GPS device in New Zealand to put this satellite IoT infrastructure to work, giving everyday boat owners access to satellite-powered location tracking at an accessible price point.

Marko Ferreira, General Manager Enterprise Customers at One NZ, says "AquaGPS is a clear demonstration of how the One NZ Satellite network is powering practical IoT solutions

for everyday New Zealanders. By partnering with NZ Boat Register, we’re turning our satellite capability into a simple, real-world solution that helps boat owners and marine organisations better protect and manage their vessels, vehicles and gear.

It shows how innovation on our network can translate into accessible technology that delivers genuine value on the water.”

At under $400 for the device and a monthly plan starting at $22.99, it is a game-changer for the thousands of New Zealanders who have wanted satellite-capable tracking for their boats, trailers, vehicles and gear.

More Than a Standalone Tracker

What sets AquaGPS apart from other GPS devices is what happens with the location data once it arrives.

AquaGPS adds location awareness to the NZ Boat Register’s existing identification and registration tools, completing a three-part system designed to reduce the risk of loss on and off the water. A GPS unit on its own tells you where something is. Connected to a digital record, it also tells you what you are looking for, who it belongs to, and who to contact when found.

With location information being captured every 2 minutes when in motion, it’s a game changer for active tracking. Be it a fishing trip, regatta or recovery situation. Each AquaGPS is linked to the owner’s digital record on the NZ Boat Register, a free nationwide platform where watercraft owners store craft details, photos, serial numbers, documentation, and emergency contact information. These details are linked to a rich tracking interface for each AquaGPS unit, or multi-units as a tracked fleet, providing extremely rich item identification details alongside active and timely location information.

New Zealand has approximately 1.6 million recreational vessels. When a boat is stolen, lost, or adrift, there is often no accessible record of what it looks like, who owns it, or where it was last seen. Increasing risk, time and costs associated with any recovery effort. The national recovery rate for stolen boats sits at ~14%.

Key AquaGPS Specifications

• Provides connectivity in the 40% of New Zealand’s land mass where traditional cell towers don’t reach, extending up to 85 nautical miles offshore via One NZ Satellite

• Ultra-rugged IP68 weatherproof and IK07 impact-resistant housing

• 3 x AA user-replaceable batteries (battery life dependent on reporting frequency and conditions)

• Geofencing with automated movement alerts

• Adaptive tracking that increases update frequency when assets are moving and conserves battery when stationary

• AES-256 military-grade encryption from device to cloud

• Location data linked directly to the owner’s secure digital record on the NZ Boat Register

• Location data is owner managed. Shareable with nominated friends, groups or emergency contacts

Not Just for Boats

AquaGPS was designed with marine as its primary use case, but its applications extend well beyond the water wherever you can see the sky.

Farmers can track vehicles, side-by-sides, and equipment across remote stations where traditional cell coverage is nonexistent. Hunters can register their gear, gaining visibility where they are in the backcountry. Hikers and trampers can see where they went and also share where they are on the go. Sailing clubs and event organisers can track fleet movements during offshore and coastal racing. And for the hundreds of thousands of Kiwis who drive their craft home after a weekend on the water, AquaGPS can provide greater peace of mind whether their craft is in the driveway, at a storage yard, or parked up at the bach.

“We keep hearing from people who have wanted this kind of tracking for years but could not afford the alternatives, or have had problems with remote connectivity or battery life” says Allen. “At this price point, it’s not just for boat owners. It’s for anyone with valuable gear, or for families that have loved ones on the water or on the land, they want to keep track of.”

Pricing and Availability

AquaGPS is available for purchase now at AquaGPS.co.nz:

• Hardware: $399 (one-time purchase)

• Monthly subscription: $24.99 per month

• Annual subscription: $22.99 per month (billed annually)

About NZ Boat Register

NZ Boat Register is New Zealand’s first nationwide platform for recreational watercraft identification and registration. Operating as a profit-for-good venture, the company provides free digital boat registration and builds tools to help owners document, identify, locate, and manage their boats and gear, reducing the risk and cost of loss on and off the water. A portion of all revenue is reinvested into New Zealand’s boating communities.

NZ Boat Register is an independent platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or partnered with NZ Police, Maritime NZ, Coastguard NZ, or any government agency. Statistics referenced are from publicly available data sources.

Website: nzboatregister.co.nz

Key Facts & Sources:

• One NZ Satellite Network:

• One NZ Media (February 2026): One NZ extends service with satellite data to include select apps and satellite voice calling via WhatsApp; 10 million+ messages sent via Starlink satellite. URL https://media.one.nz/satellite-data-whatsapp-calling

• One NZ Media (December 2025): One year of One NZ Satellite - over 700,000 eligible customers; 7 million+ messages sent via Starlink satellite; first telco worldwide to launch

nationwide satellite TXT service : URL https://media.one.nz/satelliteyearone

• One NZ Media (June 2025): One NZ Satellite IoT goes live - described as “another global first”; IoT devices automatically switch between 4G and satellite; uses off-the-shelf CAT-1 modules : URL https://media.one.nz/bees

• Reseller News (June 2025): One NZ builds buzz around satellite IoT - customers can connect hundreds of devices switching between 4G and satellite : URL

https://www.reseller.co.nz/article/4006359/one-nz-builds-the-buzz-around-its-satellite-enabled -iot-service.html

• One NZ Coverage: Coverage map - satellite coverage across all of New Zealand and up to 85 nautical miles out to sea : URL https://one.nz/network/coverage/

• Starlink Business: Direct to Cell - IoT connectivity outside terrestrial coverage; compatible with off-the-shelf CAT-1 and CAT-1 Bis modems; One NZ listed as partner : URL

https://starlink.com/business/direct-to-cell

• National Fisherman (April 2025): Starlink direct to cell now available - SpaceX expanding satellite-to-mobile technology; IoT services planned globally : URL

https://www.nationalfisherman.com/starlink-direct-to-cell-service-now-available

• New Zealand Boating Fleet:

• Maritime NZ Recreational Boating Survey 2020: ~1.6 million recreational vessels in New Zealand : URL

https://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/media/1dzakhte/recreational-boating-survey-2020.pdf

• NZ Marine Industry Association (October 2022): 44,810 new boats sold annually; $3 billion industry; 1.9 million people regularly on the water : URL

https://marineindustrynews.co.uk/new-survey-reveals-substantial-growth-in-new-zealand-boat ing-market/

• Theft & Recovery:

• Boating New Zealand (April 2025): 14% recovery rate for stolen boats; over 1,200 vessels on NZ Police stolen database; Northland accounts for 20.63% of national marine thefts : URL: https://www.boatingnz.co.nz/2025/04/marine-theft-in-new-zealand-the-cost-of-vulnerability-on the-water/

• NZ Herald (March 2025): Russell boat theft spike - vessels valued $17,000 to $200,000 stolen; police recommended GPS trackers : URL:

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/police-struggle-as-boat-thefts-rise-in-russell-locals-take-action/ 7RTYYGY7A5AQZCD2JHDOKBQHUU/

• Hardware Platform:

• Digital Matter (March 2025): Manta Fusion Datasheet - IP68/IK07 rated, 3 x AA

user-replaceable batteries, AES-256 encryption device-to-cloud, adaptive tracking, magnetic activation, tamper detection, LTE-M (Cat-M1) / NB-IoT connectivity

• Competitive Landscape (supporting “first” claim):

• Ground Control (UK): Starlink D2C trackers - planning LTE Cat 1bis trackers with future Starlink D2C capability but described as “future-ready” and not yet commercially launched : https://www.groundcontrol.com/products/starlink-d2c/

• SatelliteInternet.com (January 2026): Starlink Direct to Cell guide - IoT connectivity listed as upcoming feature; not yet widely commercially available for standalone GPS trackers : URL: https://www.satelliteinternet.com/resources/starlink-direct-to-cell/

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