Showpiece spectacular

The New Zealand Boat Show is making a big pitch to get more people into boats by offering more than $100,000 worth of prizes to be won by show patrons. The show is also about ensuring that once a beginner takes the plunge it is in the right boat and with the knowledge to extract maximum family fun in safety.

The organiser of the Hutchwilco-sponsored show, Dave Gibbs, says: "For the first time we will have our own independent expert on almost everything related to 'on, in and under the water' activity.

"He is Ian Millar, who will be our independent in-house boating guy throughout the show.

"He will give seminars, talk one-to-one with individuals and families looking to get their first boat, and help those seeking to upgrade."

The prize packages for the June 2 to 6 exhibition at the Auckland Showgrounds include:

* An $80,000 Paihia Beach Resort Escape. The winner and three friends get three nights at the 5-star resort, two nights cruising the Bay of Islands on the 22m motor-yacht Mission Hills, then two nights at the Cavalli Islands Retreat, where they will be the only guests.

* Three Zodiac inflatables - complete with Hutchwilco lifejackets valued at $1800 each - and five $900 Walker Bay family dinghies.

* Patrons who live north of Taupo have the chance to win a Yamaha 4-stroke VX Sport WaveRunner valued at $18,000. They enter by putting a home-delivered flier into the Yamaha entry box. Those who live further south who don't get the mailer can get an entry form from their Yamaha dealer.

The Queen's Birthday Weekend show has traditionally been the place to see the latest in trailerboats, outboards, small boat marine electronics and accessories. this year it is also the place to learn more boating and fishing skills and get advice from Millar.

He certainly knows his stuff. He is a 25-year diving veteran who caught his first fish from a tinnie as a 5-year-old.

In the 50 years since then he has owned 10 boats, from 5m to 8m, and fished and dived throughout the world. He will talk family boating, give advice on matching power with an owner's requirements and generally point newcomers in the right direction so they can get the most out of their boating.

He will also push the boating education angle and point out the benefits of joining a club. Millar will also have introductory safe-boating packages from Coastguard and WaterSafe Auckland to emphasise the need to do it right and understand and observe the rules.

Millar will be based at the Toyota Marine Finance Centre, which will also host some of the show's other attractions including the Reel Girls from Western Australia, the Masterfoods Cooking Show with Derek Robertson from the Carters Gone Fishin TV series, and fishing seminars by experts, including Bruce Duncan.

The Reel Girls, a top competitive fishing team, will be talking about their experiences, offering some tips, and encouraging more women to get into fishing with the message: "Don't let your bloke have all the fun."

The programme will also include free seminars on maintaining your GRP boat and looking after a good set of fishing knives.

Gibbs believes the show will be an invaluable educational platform as well as the place to see the best the country has to offer for recreational boating.

The show will be open from 10am each day with late nights on Thursday and Friday to 8pm. The closing time on Saturday, Sunday and Monday is 6pm.