Peter Busfield: How New Zealand Built a World-Class Marine Industry

What can the rest of the boating world learn from New Zealand?

In this episode of The Boat Princess Podcast, Nicky Vaux sits down with one of the most influential figures in the New Zealand marine industry, Peter Busfield, former Executive Director of the NZ Marine Industry Association, former CEO of NZ Marine Export Inc and Superyacht NZ, and former President of the Boating Industries Association of New Zealand.

Peter has spent more than 30 years helping shape and represent New Zealand’s marine sector, and in this conversation we explore his remarkable career, his lifelong love of boating and the industry he has played such an important role in developing.

We talk about the Auckland Boat Show, which Peter helped establish in the late 1990s. First held in 1999, it has developed into New Zealand’s largest on-water boat show and operates under a model that is increasingly unusual internationally.

The Auckland Boat Show is owned and managed by the NZ Marine Industry Association. It is an industry-led, not-for-profit event designed to promote New Zealand’s marine sector, with funds generated by the show reinvested into initiatives that support and grow the industry.

Peter and I discuss whether this model could offer lessons for other marine markets as boat shows around the world evolve. In Australia, for example, we have recently seen greater involvement from commercial event operators such as Informa. It raises an interesting question for the future: who should own and operate a boat show — the marine industry itself or a professional commercial event company?

We also talk about the Millennium Cup, New Zealand’s prestigious superyacht regatta, and the role events such as this play in showcasing New Zealand as a world-class destination for superyachts, marine tourism, refit, boatbuilding and the wider marine industry.

Another fascinating part of our conversation is New Zealand’s approach to developing the next generation of marine talent through MAST Academy and its marine apprenticeship and training pathways. We discuss the importance of creating skilled boatbuilders, marine technicians and specialist tradespeople — and why investing in training is so critical to the future of the boating industry.

Peter shares his thoughts on how the industry has changed during his career, why a relatively small country like New Zealand continues to punch well above its weight in international boatbuilding and the superyacht sector, and what the future of boating, boat shows, marine apprenticeships and major marine events might look like.

And, of course, we talk about something Peter and I have very much in common — a genuine love of boats and being on the water.

A fascinating conversation with a man who has spent three decades helping steer the New Zealand marine industry.

Topics discussed: Peter Busfield | NZ Marine | Auckland Boat Show | Millennium Cup | New Zealand Marine Industry | MAST Academy | Marine Apprenticeships | Boatbuilding | Superyacht NZ | New Zealand Superyachts | Marine Industry Training | Boat Shows | Future of Boating | Marine Tourism | The Boat Princess Podcast

What is it really like to work aboard some of the world’s largest and most luxurious superyachts?

My guest, Erin Pickering, knows firsthand.

Erin began her career in the media world in Australia, but quickly realised that spending the rest of her twenties behind a desk wasn't for her. So she did something rather brave — she boarded a one-way flight to Europe and set out to find herself a job in yachting.

She secured her first position aboard a 35-metre Sunseeker, beginning a career that would take her through the ranks of the superyacht industry and ultimately to the role of Purser aboard Steven Spielberg's megayacht.

But behind the glamour of the superyacht world lies a very different reality.

In this conversation, Erin and I talk about the isolation and intensity of working aboard yachts, the extraordinary standards expected of crew and what actually happens behind the scenes when you're looking after some of the wealthiest people in the world.

We also delve into what happened when COVID hit the superyacht industry. For Erin, what was supposed to be a 10-day schedule became 110 days, creating a whole new set of logistical, operational and very human challenges.

And, of course, I had to ask: Is working on a superyacht actually anything like Bravo's Below Deck?

Having reached the pinnacle of her yachting career, Erin eventually made the decision to leave life onboard, return to Australia and establish her own business, Holystone. We talk about making that transition and ask an interesting question: when you've spent your career surrounded by extraordinary wealth and luxury, what does success look like for you personally?

For anyone thinking about a career in yachting or superyachts, this episode offers some valuable advice and a realistic look at the challenges involved — but also captures just how exciting, adventurous and rewarding this extraordinary industry can be.

For more information on Erin's Business go to:

https://www.holystone.au/

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🎙️ Stephen Heese of Chris-Craft: Passion, Risk & the Story Behind an Iconic Boating Brand

In this episode of The Boat Princess Podcast, I sit down with Stephen Heese, President of Chris-Craft, to talk about far more than boats.

We explore the fascinating history of Chris-Craft, an iconic American boating brand with a story stretching back more than 150 years, and Stephen shares his own journey with the company — including his perhaps unexpected connection to Australia.

We delve into how Chris-Craft has grown and evolved while protecting the heritage and craftsmanship that make the brand so distinctive, its sale to Winnebago Industries, and what being part of a larger group has meant for a brand with such a long and treasured history.

We also look to the future of boat shows. Why do they exist? What role do they really play for manufacturers, dealers and consumers? And in a changing world where we can research, compare and even buy so much online, what does the boat show of the future need to look like to remain relevant?

One thing that becomes very clear during our conversation is something I see time and again across the marine industry: boating is an industry built on passionate people. People who genuinely love what they do, love the product and love being on the water.

We also talk about risk and aspiration. When we're younger, many of us are prepared to take career and business risks that we might think twice about later in life. But without people prepared to take those chances, where do the entrepreneurs, innovators and small businesses of tomorrow come from?

That leads us into a broader conversation about Australia’s changing capital gains tax environment, and whether tax policy can unintentionally influence aspiration, entrepreneurship and the willingness of people to take risks, build businesses and invest in their future.

From the evolution of a 150+ year-old boating icon to the future of boat shows, business ownership, career choices and calculated risk, this is a conversation about much more than boats.

Ultimately, it’s about the people, passion and aspiration that keep our extraordinary industry moving forward.

🎧 Join me and Stephen Heese of Chris-Craft for this episode of The Boat Princess Podcast.