Haines Hunter drops anchor in Taupo

Haines Hunter boats are known for their build quality, craftsmanship, and performance. With that reputation, it’s no surprise they’re extremely popular,  especially around Lake Taupo. That’s why it made perfect sense to open a brand new specialised Haines Hunter dealership in the town, just five minutes’ drive from the lake at 91 Tauhara Road.

Welcome to Haines Hunter Taupo

The directors of Haines Hunter Taupo are Lionel Sands, Laurence Hullena and Denis Kendall. All three of these guys know a thing or two.

Lionel Sands’ journey in the boating industry began alongside his late father, Sandy Sands, who founded Seacraft in 1946 -  a business that built handcrafted kauri boats before transitioning into fibreglass construction in the 1960s. Growing up in and around the workshop, Lionel learned every aspect of boatbuilding from the ground up, eventually helping shape Haines Hunter into one of New Zealand’s most respected marine brands. 

Seacraft quickly became one of New Zealand’s most prominent production boatbuilders, and in 1984 the company cemented that position by acquiring the Haines Hunter brand. Following the acquisition, Lionel Sands and his team continued to evolve the marque, producing an estimated 6,500 boats to date,  including some of the country’s most iconic models. 

Denis Kendall now owns the brand, and although now “retired” from the day-to-day operation Lionel, along with Denis and Laurence, care deeply about their customers:

“There are so many Kiwis who started boating in a Haines Hunter or have had experience on the water in one of our boats. We want to see that continue for generations to come,” Lionel says.

“At Haines Hunter, we’ve always taken pride in building great all-round family boats, designed to embrace adventure and create lasting memories on the water. Every model is built to accommodate fishing, family fun, and the refined features that make boating effortless and enjoyable for everyone on board.”

“And, of course, the ride just gets better.”

Peek behind the sales floor 

The new Haines Hunter Taupo branch stocks a huge variety of boats. That includes brand new Haines Hunter boats, powered by Mercury engines, and premium used boats that have undergone full workshop inspection, service, and professional detailing (so they feel almost like new boats). 

Used boats for sale include other trusted brands, like Sea Ray, Stabicraft, Regal, and Buccaneer. If you’re looking to sell your boat, these are the guys to talk to - they’re actively looking for more boats to sell.

The dealership’s real strength is its people, who genuinely love boating and have decades of combined experience. They’re all about making every experience feel effortless.

A win for the business 

They must have got something right, because from a business perspective, the first few months at Haines Hunter Taupo have been great, with plenty of locals showing up, lots of on-water trials, and sales. Lionel says another win for the business has been a partnership with NZ’s leading boat insurer, Mariner:

“We needed someone quick, responsive, with a good reputation. Any partnership with Haines Hunter needs to be another very trusted Kiwi brand.

It’s a fresh partnership, but we really value it, and the service we have received to date has been exceptional. We’re proud to work with Mariner to provide our customers with peace of mind on the water.” 

As a Mariner Insurance agent, Haines Hunter Taupo can offer their customers a great deal and an association with another trusted Kiwi brand. Sounds like a win-win.