Kaeā is a 13.8m custom-built boat that was designed for a Wellington-based client. Photo / Geoff Cox
A Tauranga-based boat yard is set to make its boatbuilding debut by unveiling its first custom build at the 2026 Auckland Boat Show.
The vessel, which has a $2.2 million price tag, has been described as the “Rolls-Royce” of cruiser boats.
Elite Kaeā is the first “milestone” build from Marra Marine, an up-and-coming yard established by Tim and Maddie Marra.
The vessel will be a main attraction at the 2026 Auckland Boat Show.
Running from March 5 to 8, the show has expanded by 20% in its 25th year, with 150 exhibitors and 200 boats both on land and water.
In-water displays will span 1.3 kilometres along the waterfront at Jellicoe Harbour and Wynyard Wharf.
Kaeā, which means to wander or roam in Māori, is a 13.8m custom-built boat designed for a Wellington-based client.
Marra Marine director Maddie Marra said this project was “very important” for the business.
“It’s a massive milestone, and we are in a unique position given that we are quite boutique down here in Tauranga, where we can specialise in that slightly smaller boat.”
She told the Bay of Plenty Times there were a lot of big boat yards in Auckland that specialised in vessels between 16 metres and 25m.
“That’s their bread and butter, and we come in with that 12m to 16m size, which gives us a little bit of a point of difference.”
She said Marra Marine was “massive” on working with local marine industry leaders to raise the profile of Tauranga as a world-class marine industry for new builds.
“It was very exciting for us to work alongside the designer, owner and various subcontractors to bring the project to life.”
Maddie said the Kaeā was a 20-month build, was completely built in Tauranga, and would cost about $2.2 million to purchase.
“It’s a really detailed project in terms of all the finishing and the workmanship that’s involved to have an elite-class boat.”
The boat was built from triple-skin plywood, vacuum-packed together, with layers of fibreglass inside and out for strength and weight savings.
“That bespoke custom boat comes with a price point, for sure, but it is the Rolls-Royce of cruiser boats,” Maddie said.
“She was a big project; it was very much a labour of love.”
Marra Marine owner-operator and Maddie’s husband Tim Marra has been in the industry for more than two decades.
He said showcasing Marra Marine’s first custom-built vessel at the Auckland Boat Show was a “massive dream.”
“To be part of the bigger industry in terms of the new build market, it’s pretty special.”
Tim said it would be “cool” to be among other boat builders he had known for a long time, who were well respected.
“It means something to know that we can stand on our own two feet and produce a product like I’ve been doing for many years with other people.”
Tim said he was feeling “fairly positive” about the anticipated response of the Kaeā at the boat show.
“There’ll be other production boats similar, but Kaeā will stand alone and hopefully, with that, we’ll get some good traction.
“I don’t want my last 25 years of blood, sweat, and tears to go to waste.”
The vessel was designed by Bill Upfold, who is the principal designer at Elite Marine Design.
The owner wanted a timeless classic-looking vessel that could get him to Marlborough Sounds from Wellington or Picton in an hour from the marina.
The boat needed to cruise at 27 knots, have only two cabins, large open living spaces and an open cockpit for fishing.
He said the initial construction drawings took several months, and the complete design evolved over the entire build with minor tweaks and smaller detail drawings.
“Like everything, there is some trade-off; it’s all about getting the balance right.”
He said the Kaeā’s styling allowed him to incorporate a “fine entry” for good seakeeping performance and a decreasing vee to ensure easy planning.
“My sedan boats are sportier in aesthetics, but Kaeās owner was after a more sedate classic style with a shippy feel.”
Upfold said Marra Marine was great to work alongside and never lost sight of the end goal.
“The greatest thing with these custom builds is the partnership between the owner, designer and builder, all striving for the same thing, creating and realising the dream.”
New Zealand Marine executive director Peter Busfield said Tauranga had a “long and proud” history of boat building.
“From Tauranga, boaties have access to the Mercury Bay Islands and some of New Zealand’s best recreational fishing grounds, which further strengthens demand for marine services.”
Busfield said Elite Designs by Bill Upfold were amongst the most highly regarded custom boats built in New Zealand.
“Elite only works with accredited boat builders, so it’s a real feather in the cap for Marra Marine to have built their first Elite.
“The future is very optimistic for Tauranga’s marine sector.”
Kaitlyn Morrell is a journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has lived in the region for several years and studied journalism at Massey University.