| 49 Haines Hunter MARINE PROUDLY TRAILERING HAINES HUNTER FOR OVER 40 YEARS WWW.DMWTRAILERS.CO.NZ T T Russell Fredric The business operates from its Ellerslie facility in Auckland. A legendary hull design and on-the-water performance continues to anchor Haines Hunter, which is constantly evolving to meet the expectations of increasingly discerning customers. Established in Australia, the brand has been part of the local boating landscape since the mid-1970s, but its modern footing was shaped in 1982 when manufacturing started in New Zealand during a period of industry disruption. Director Denis Kendall says the 20% sales tax introduced in 1979 triggered widespread disruption across boat builders and caravan manufacturers, forcing a reset that reshaped the sector. From that reset, Haines Hunter New Zealand developed its own contribution to the marque, including locally designed models such as the V198. While construction methods have evolved, a defining constant remains in the 21-degree deep-V hull, influenced by offshore racing heritage. “That sea-keeping ability is what it’s all about; we’re still running that same 21-degree deadrise,” Denis says. Today, the business operates from its Ellerslie facility in Auckland, where production blends traditional manual techniques with more advanced processes, such as resin infusion and selective use of CNC-cut components. Hulls and decks are built over several days through a staged process, with the glass shop setting the pace for the wider factory. “There’s a high level of manual craftsmanship in it; even with technology, building boats still takes that hands-on work.” Each hull is gel-coated before moving through the fibreglass shop, where laminates are hand-laid and consolidated to control weight and consistency. The business also Legendary hull in demand uses resin infusion for selected components, such as liners and hardtops, allowing tighter control of resin content and structural strength while reducing excess weight. “We’re squeegeeing our hulls, which means we can control the resin and compress the laminate more; it gives us a better, more consistent structure,” says Denis. This capability is supported by in-house systems, including the CNC-cut structural elements, a woodworking shop, and the ability to produce plugs and moulds, either traditionally or through digital modelling. New models can be developed using computer-cut plugs, reducing lead times while still allowing for manual finishing. That balance reflects a broader shift in how boats are being used, Denis says. Where once their use was largely seasonal, boats are now on the water more often and for a wider mix of activities – from family use through to more specialised fishing, along with more onboard features. “They’ve got a lot more in them now – fridges, tables, live bait tanks, and people are using them for more of the year,” Denis says. The current range spans from compact trailer boats through to larger offshore-capable models, with flexibility in layouts and configurations. Across the line-up, the focus remains on ride quality, balance, and structural stiffness, supported by careful weight distribution and disciplined construction. Ongoing innovation includes recent product development centred on expanding how and where boats can be used. The Overlander Pursuit, introduced two years ago and built on the 725 platform, integrates Anura amphibious technology to allow direct beach launching and retrieval, removing reliance on ramps. “You’ve got everything of a normal boat, plus the amphibious side; you just drive down into the water and go.” The innovative Overlander Pursuit allows direct beach launching and retrieval, removing reliance on ramps.
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