Boating and Outdoors

12/10/2026

Stocking a major marine brand is one thing.
Being able to properly install, service, and support it afterwards is another.

Across the Boating & Outdoors network, our dealers sell and service the major marine "hardware" brands Kiwi boaties already trust - and back it up with real after-sales support, not just a transaction.

That means:
✅ Confidence the gear is set up correctly from day one
✅ Local servicing when it needs maintenance
✅ Genuine parts and accessories on hand
✅ A team who knows the brand inside out - not reading from a manual
When the brand matters, so does who installs it.

Talk to your local dealer about the brands they carry and support.

11/10/2026

Marine knowledge doesn't come from reading a catalogue.

It comes from early mornings at the boat ramp.
It comes from days spent chasing fish, troubleshooting gear, and helping customers get the most out of their time on the water.

That's what makes the Boating & Outdoors network different.

Behind every store is a team of real marine people who live and breathe boating. People who know what works because they've used it themselves.

Across the network, we've got more than 800 years of combined marine expertise. That's a lot of lessons learned and a lot of stories collected along the way.

Pop into your local Boating & Outdoors dealer and have a chat, or browse online at boatingandoutdoors.co.nz

05/10/2026

Boat? Kayak? Paddleboard? Jetski? Dinghy?

If it's a recreational craft 6 metres or less, the new national lifejacket rule could apply to you.
From 9 October 2026, everyone aboard recreational craft 6 metres or less must wear a lifejacket while underway, unless a specific exclusion applies.

So what counts as “underway”? What happens with boats over 6 metres? And are there exceptions?

We've answered the big questions in one straightforward guide for Kiwi boaties.
Read our blog 👉 www.boatingandoutdoors.co.nz/new-lifejacket-rules-october-2026/
Or check out our safety gear range here - https://boatingandoutdoors.co.nz/category/safety/

Then, if you're unsure whether your current lifejackets are the right size or type for your crew, call into your local Boating & Outdoors store and talk to people who know the gear - and use it themselves.

01/10/2026

The lifejacket that fitted perfectly last summer may be a very different story this spring.

These school holidays, get every lifejacket out and check it properly - especially the kids'. Check the stated size and fit, then inspect the straps, buckles, fabric and flotation material for obvious deterioration.

Inflatable lifejackets need attention too. Follow the manufacturer’s inspection and maintenance instructions rather than assuming a tidy-looking jacket is ready to go. This is a quick family job worth doing before launch day, when there’s time to replace or service anything that isn’t right.

A lifejacket works best when it is suitable, correctly fitted and actually worn- bring the family in to your local Boating and Outdoors dealer if you need help with sizing.

30/09/2026

A larger fish finder can transform the way you use the boat. Extra lighting, another screen or more accessories can make life on board better too.

But every upgrade adds demand to the electrical system behind it.

If your electronics have expanded since the battery and charging setup were first specified, spring is a good time to ask whether the system still suits how the boat is now used.

Reliable electronics depend on more than the unit at the helm: battery capacity, charging, connections, cable routing and installation all play a part. Before adding the next upgrade, have the whole system considered together.

It’s the difference between buying another box and building a setup that works properly on the water.

Check out our full range at https://boatingandoutdoors.co.nz/category/electronics/ or pop in and see your local Boating and Outdoors dealer

Garmin Australia & New Zealand Garmin Marine

28/09/2026

Plenty of places will sell you marine gear.
Fewer will actually help you get it working.

When you buy through a Boating & Outdoors dealer, you also get:
🔧 Professional installation, done right the first time
🧭 Setup and configuration specific to your boat and local waters
📞 A real person to call if something doesn't seem right
🛡️ Warranty support backed by an actual local business

It's the difference between gear that's technically installed, and gear that's properly set up to perform.

Shop online, then let your local dealer finish the job properly.

28/09/2026

The new rule starts 9 October. But there's one job worth doing before then.

Get every lifejacket out of the boat.

Does it still fit?
Are the straps and buckles in good condition?
Have the kids outgrown theirs?
Is that inflatable due for servicing?
And is it actually the right type for how you use the water?

From 9 October 2026, everyone aboard recreational craft 6 metres or less must wear a lifejacket while underway.

We've broken down the new nationwide rule - plus what to check before it arrives - in our latest blog 👉 www.boatingandoutdoors.co.nz/new-lifejacket-rules-october-2026/
Or check out the full guide here 👉 https://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/recreational-craft/maritime-transport-lifejackets-on-recreational-craft-amendment-bill/

Not sure about your existing gear?
Bring it in and talk to your local Boating & Outdoors safety specialists.

24/09/2026

Strange noise from the outboard. Electronics playing up. A trailer that's not towing quite right.

These are the jobs our dealer workshops handle every single week - and it's one of the biggest things that sets Boating & Outdoors apart from an online-only retailer.

Our stores are sales counters AND working marine workshops, staffed by technicians who diagnose and fix the issues other people can only guess at.

If something's not right with your gear, don't just live with it. Bring it in.

23/09/2026

“We’ll just stay out for one more hour…” 🌅

Daylight saving means longer evenings, warmer weather and a very good excuse to squeeze in a few extra hours on the water.

But there’s a difference between planning an evening trip and accidentally finding yourself boating after dark.

Before you head out, think about what changes once the sun disappears — visibility, navigation, communication and simply being able to see what you’re doing on board.

We’ve put together a practical guide to safer evening boating in NZ, so you can make the most of those longer spring and summer evenings without getting caught out.

Read the full guide 👉 https://boatingandoutdoors.co.nz/evening-boating-safety-nz-daylight-saving/

Daylight saving begins in New Zealand on 27 September 2026, opening the door to after-work fishing, sunset cruises and the kind of spring evening that makes summer feel close. The extra daylight is an opportunity, not a promise that you will be home before dark. A late launch, slow fishing or changi...

22/09/2026

Planning to get the boat out during the September school holidays?
Do the boring jobs before the excited passengers are waiting at the door.

Check that every person has a suitable lifejacket - especially children who may have grown since last season.
Test the battery and electronics. Inspect fuel lines, anchor gear and the bilge pump.
Give the trailer a front-to-back check.
Then look at the marine forecast (not just the sunshine icon).

The aim is simple: fewer surprises, less ramp-side stress and more time actually enjoying the water.

Save our 10-point spring checklist and work through it before the first family trip - https://boatingandoutdoors.co.nz/spring-boat-maintenance-nz-checklist/

Got a question?
Visit your local boating and Outdoors experts for anything that needs replacing or checking.