What was your background prior to becoming involved with NZ Marine?

In my 20s I was Sales Manager National Appliances for Fisher and Paykel’s Panasonic division.

I then gained the position of Marketing Director for Sea Nymph Marine, builders of Bruce Farr designed Farr 1020, Farr 1220 and Farr MRX keel yachts. These yachts were the premium racer- cruiser of the time and in total over 200 were sold in the 1980s.

In 1988 I founded Busfield Marine Ltd and in addition to continuing to selling the above Farr range of yachts, marketed and sold other brands of New Zealand built yachts and launches both on the local and international markets.

Did you hold other positions within NZ Marine before Executive Director?

In 1995 when in my late 30s, I was elected President of the Boating Industries Association of NZ Inc- a voluntary run organisation that had approximately 300 members and had been in existence for 30 years.

Now, 30 years on we have 520 members and including MAST have 30 employed people at the associations office at 85 Westhaven Drive, Auckland.

In 1997 the board saw the need for a professionally run and supported organisation  to take the NZ marine industry forward-I resigned as President and applied for and gained the role as the first Executive Director in 1997. Subsequent to then I was also appointed CEO of the separate organisation of NZ Marine Export Inc including their Superyacht NZ division.

What have been the major achievements and milestones over your 30-year tenure?

During my tenure we set up the NZ Marine Commercial Vessel Group and Trailer Power Boat Audited Boat Building Standard CPC – both of which have added huge value to their respective sectors.

Another key to the success of the NZ marine industry over the past 30 years has been the industry owned and run apprentice training program now known as Marine and Specialised Technologies (MAST).

With over 3,000 graduates from boatbuilding to marine electronics, outboard servicing and more trades this has supplied the NZ marine industry with an ongoing supply of trained personnel – many of whom now own companies and are with MAST assistance training appreciates.

I believe that the NZ marine industry is unique worldwide in that we have one major trade association representing the wider marine industry. This provides the Executive Director with credibility and a certain amount of power when negotiating with city councils and central government bestowing the economic advantages of a vibrant NZ marine industry.

This has led to regulations being user friendly for boatbuilding /refitting/marina operations and for visiting yachts including superyachts. For example, not only is the local 15 percent Goods and Services tax exempt for refits and equipment for visiting yachts but they are exempt from paying it at point of purchase- ie no need to claim it back.

I have enjoyed working with my counterparts, including Marine Industry CEOs of many other countries mainly through ICOMIA and we have been fortunate to have had the very good services of Australian BIA president Darren Vaux as President of ICOMIA until his term concluded last year.

This relationship has given New Zealand the opportunity to see what has been successful for marine industry associations on the world stage.

I have also had the pleasure of working closely with David Good, CEO of AIMEX, Australia’s marine export, Superyacht and commercial vessel groups. Along with Cynthia Rasch of Fiji and Manoa Rey of Tahiti Tourism, David and I have been often jointly promoting the South Pacific as a destination for cruising yachts and importantly superyachts.

Have there been any personal mentors influential in your life and career?

As a management trainee at Fisher and Paykel Ltd and reaching Sales Manager role for a range of products, I was continuing to learn from this highly respected New Zealand manufacturer who at the time were employing 4,000 people and exporting appliances worldwide.

Sir Don Rowlands was Managing Director and Gary Paykel was Marketing Director when I was there and they both set a very high example of good business practices from R&D, quality control to dealer distribution, total customer and employee care.

Gary went on to form and was founding Managing Director and the Chairperson of Fisher and Paykel Health Care, now the largest company on the NZ stock exchange and for years was chairman of Emirates Team NZ. I sought advice on occasions from the late Sir Don Rowlands during my years at NZ Marine and still catch up with Gary Paykel for whom I have huge respect.

During my years at Sea Nymph Marine, I learnt a lot from Owner/Managing Director, Kim McDell. Kim was a top sportsperson from sprint running to winning the world 18ft skiff championships in the 1970s. His level-headed business mind coupled with being an accountant made for sound business decisions and I have the pleasure of still catching up with Kim.

During my years as Executive Director of NZ Marine I have served 10 presidents and they all have added value to the organisation, and I have learnt different aspects of doing business from each of them.

A good CEO/Chairman team makes it possible to advance the organisation at pace.

In every venture or job that I have had, the most important mentor has been my wife Rachael, who provides me great support and frank feedback that I respect. Often women’s intuition is spot on!

How did the Auckland Boat Show evolve under your leadership?

The show started in 1999 after the two leading and competing New Zealand boating magazine editors, Tim Porter and the late Barry Thompson approached me and encouraged me to start a boat show that was owned by the industry, for the industry.

The show has just completed its 25 edition and now is the one of the largest boat shows in Australasia.

It continues to do what it set out to do and that is to serve the marine industry/exhibitors and any surpluses go back into promoting boating and the marine industry.

What is the current state of the local industry and what is on the horizon?

The future of the NZ marine industry is looking good; being in front of or at least up with the latest technologies in design and build of boats is important as exporting is crucially important to our industry. Five million Kiwis can only own so many boats – albeit they own more per capita than most countries!

Looking ahead, the existing fleet of 1.9 million boats from foiling wing boards to America’s Cup yachts and electric ferries will all need servicing and at some stage replacing.

In addition, once solid-state batteries have been developed for the marine environment, the likely conversion of existing boats and certainly new ones in the next 10 years to electric propulsion or assisted propulsion of some type will provide the industry with good business opportunities.

What are you looking forward to next?

I am contracted a few days each month by NZ Marine to the end of 2026 to assist in the hand over to a new Executive Director, soon to be appointed, and to provide ongoing advocacy for the New Zealand marine industry, particularly to government departments that I have a close working relationship with.

After that I will look to offering companies advise on a consulting basis, be it governance or sales strategies where I look forward to assisting companies succeed and further grow.

As for my wife Rachael and I, we hope to enjoy more sailing, fishing and just enjoying the great cruising grounds around New Zealand on our classic 13-metre launch, New Zealand designed and built of course!