Our Story
Built on One Man's Love of the Water
Kiwi Kraft began in 1988 when Rodney Harris — a Southlander who loved diving, fishing and hunting — saw a gap in the market. There was no aluminium boat that combined genuine performance with quality craftsmanship and a design worth being proud of. So he built one.
Over 35 years later, the Kiwi Kraft name stands for the same things it always has: precision-built aluminium hulls, honest craftsmanship, and boats that perform when it matters most.
Standard Equipment
Packed Full of Useful Features
It's common for boat manufacturers to strip out features to save cost — needless to say, Kiwi Kraft don't agree. Reflecting our commitment to the customer experience, each Kiwi Kraft model is packed full of features that other brands charge extra for.
The Kiwi Kraft team comprises professional tradesmen, not production line operators. Because Kiwi Kraft welcome participation by their customers, features and specifications can be easily added or deleted, making sure the boat is personal to you.
See all 15 reasons to choose Kiwi Kraft →Safety is Deep Within Our Nature
Virtually Unsinkable
Quite simply, Kiwi Kraft boats are virtually unsinkable. Our unique "positive buoyancy" and stability system is achieved through a series of aluminium pontoons (tubes) between the boat's floor and the hull, each containing up to 9 compartments.
The pontoons are welded in and tested as per survey standard, with each holding 5psi — more than standard and most RIBs — giving more buoyancy, stability and safety than any other boats in their class. Under-floor stringers are also fully welded, as is the bottom to pontoon joint on the inside.
Our boats above 4.7m are CPC rated to Coast Guard specs and all models are built to MSA standards. All this adds up to a boat that even if fully swamped will remain afloat with all full crew and passengers.
What We Stand For
Excellence in Aluminium
Never Mass-Production
Kiwi Kraft will never scale for the sake of scale. Every boat is hand-built, and the team of 14 who build them take personal pride in the result.
Performance Above All
The variable deadrise hull, twin planing strakes and positive buoyancy design aren't marketing terms — they're engineering decisions made for real conditions.
Built for NZ Waters
From the sheltered harbours of Auckland to the exposed coastlines of Fiordland, Kiwi Kraft boats are designed specifically for what New Zealand throws at them.
Timeline
35 Years on the Water
Kiwi Kraft is Born
Rodney Harris founds Kiwi Kraft in Invercargill, driven by his passion for diving and fishing in NZ's rugged southern waters — and a vision for a better aluminium boat.
The Range Grows
Through the nineties, Kiwi Kraft expands its model range, each boat refined through real-world use by Southland fisherfolk. The reputation for quality and performance spreads nationally.
HUSH Technology Perfected
The signature HUSH Technology hull design is refined — variable deadrise, cushioning pontoons, and roll-formed hull plates combine to create the ultra-smooth ride Kiwi Kraft becomes renowned for.
National Distribution
Dealer partnerships established with Auckland Marine Centre and Boat City bring Kiwi Kraft aluminium pontoon boats to customers across the North Island.
International Export
Under the Aqualine brand, Kiwi Kraft boats begin reaching markets in Australia, New Caledonia and beyond — the same engineering, new identity.
Still Hand-Built by 14
Over three decades on, every boat still leaves the Invercargill factory hand-built by a team of fourteen dedicated craftspeople. That will never change.
Ready to Own a Kiwi Kraft?
Browse the full range or talk to your nearest dealer.