RECREATIONAL

As an island nation with the 9th longest coastline in the world at 15,000 kilometers and home to an abundance of rivers and lakes, New Zealand has a deep affinity with water, and a long history of boat building and sailing. New Zealanders are strongly connected to the beautiful nature that surrounds them and enjoy a diverse range of outdoor activities. New Zealand also has strong traditions tied closely to freedom and equitable access to the outdoors which has fostered outdoor recreation as an essential component of the "Kiwi way of life."

The sea, coastline, beaches, and reefs surrounding New Zealand, are a major source of tourism. Today, tourism is one of the country's largest industries, contributing nearly $10 billion or 16 per cent of the nation's export earnings and it's growing rapidly at a rate of 4 percent. This recreational marine culture, enjoyed by New Zealanders and tourists alike, has created an unparalleled demand for the new, innovative marine technologies. New Zealand has continued to meet this demand through the development of the outdoor product and service industry, which is now characterized by an ongoing commitment to innovation and advanced technology to produce world-leading marine products and services.

Creativity and craftmanship are the backbone of New Zealand's excellence in the marine space. New Zealand has produced, and partnered with, progressive companies to create ingenious solutions for businesses and consumers alike including everything from modern boat design to advanced seacraft electronics. New Zealand remains the leading global partner for modern marine products and services.