Emirates Team New Zealand and Oracle boats both largely built in New Zealand

The Team New Zealand and Oracle catamarans were both made by Kiwi craftsmen. Photo / Richard Hodder

Emirates Team New Zealand and Oracle have more than one thing in common.

Both teams' boats were largely made in New Zealand, and by Kiwi craftsmen.

New protocol for this year's America's Cup boat construction requirements mean as little as a 10ft section of the bow has to be built in the country of the challenging or defending club, resulting in many teams searching overseas for the best builders in the industry.

New Zealand craftsman and boat makers had been widely sought after, NZ Marine Industry Association executive director Peter Busfield said.

"The New Zealand marine industry has benefited hugely from the new one-design rule, which allows components to be made in any country as they're outside the country of nationality rules," he said.

"New Zealand companies were then able to compete for the work of teams outside New Zealand, and our reputation as the world's best boat builders came to the fore."

Oracle Team USA chose to build their AC50 in New Zealand, Busfield said.

New Zealand's unique training programme for boat builders had set the bar standard high, he said.

Auckland-based Southern Spars built the hull and wing for Team New Zealand.

Further north in Warkworth, Core Builders Composites built Oracle Team USA and produced boat components for SoftBank Team Japan and Team New Zealand.

"This significant change to the rules meant that the teams were free to build their yachts and source the best products anywhere in the world," Busfield said.

Kiwi firms C-Tech and Cookson Boats were also at the forefront of AC50 innovation.

Southern Spars, C-Tech, Core Builders, Cookson and other NZ Marine Industry Association members supplied sets of hull, deck, bow, pod and beam tooling, with moulds and tools designed to ensure parts were identical and in-line with one-design rules.

Busfield is currently in Spain promoting New Zealand's marine expertise.