Haines Hunter New Zealand: A Kiwi Powerboat Legacy

Haines Hunter is a name New Zealand boaties speak of with genuine affection—the badge on countless family adventures, fishing missions, and offshore runs. Known for their superb ride and bullet-proof build, these boats are designed, built, and refined in Auckland specifically for our unpredictable seas.

From SeaCraft Roots to Haines Hunter

The journey began under a different flag. In 1946, Yeoman Sandy Sands founded SeaCraft in Auckland, crafting timber vessels for a growing post-war boating culture. When fibreglass burst onto the scene, SeaCraft embraced the new material, even sending staff to the United States to master moulding techniques. By the early 1970s the company was building Haines Hunter hulls under licence from Australia, introducing Kiwi boaties to the famed deep-V ride.

1984: Independence and Innovation

A watershed moment arrived in 1984, when Sandy’s son Lionel Sands and business partner Denis Kendall secured full rights to the Haines Hunter name and designs for New Zealand. Free from licensing constraints, the team fine-tuned every chine, strake, and cockpit layout to suit local conditions—steeper chop, quick-punching swell, and sand-bar surf entries. The result was a new generation of New Zealand-specific icons such as the SF (Sport Fisher) series, setting a benchmark for soft-riding, impeccably finished trailer boats.

Craftsmanship in Ellerslie

Today, Haines Hunter New Zealand still operates from its purpose-built factory in Ellerslie, Auckland. While CAD modelling and laser-cut jigs keep tolerances razor-sharp, each hull is hand-laid by experienced laminators—maintaining the obsessive attention to weight distribution, glass schedule, and structural integrity that has defined the brand for decades. Lionel Sands and Denis Kendall continue to guide the company, mentoring new boatbuilders and introducing innovations such as resin infusion, composite floors, and integrated live-bait tanks.

Built for Kiwi Waters

Although its Australian namesake shares the heritage, Haines Hunter New Zealand charts its own course. Every model—whether a nimble SF535 or the offshore-capable 725—reflects the demands of Kiwi boating life: rugged launch ramps, game-fishing grounds 40 nautical miles offshore, and family days that end on a beach at sunset. Owners trust these boats to handle rough seas with composure and to hold their value like few others.

An Enduring Legacy

Nearly eight decades after Sandy Sands opened SeaCraft’s doors, Haines Hunter New Zealand remains a Kiwi icon—proof that locally evolved design, deep water knowledge, and uncompromising build quality never go out of style. From generation to generation, the legacy endures wherever blue water meets an adventurous spirit.