Subscription-based boat hire model to launch in NZ

Sports Marine director Scott Williamson is bringing Freedom Boat Club to New Zealand. (Image: Supplied)

Mon, 25 Nov 2024

A Christchurch businessman has secured rights to bring global boat hire company Freedom Boat Club to New Zealand.The New Zealand franchise will be owned and operated by Scott Williamson, director and shareholder of family boat business Sports Marine in Christchurch.Williamson said he planned to expand the club in New Zealand starting with Auckland, Lyttelton and Queenstown in 2025 before branching out into other regions in 2026.The subscription-based model, owned by New York Stock Exchange-listed Brunswick Corporation, allows members to pay a m...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Markets Market Close

NZX sits out tech rally, trades flat

"We're not overly blessed with big tech names," Generate's Greg Smith said.

Gregor Thompson 23 Sep 2025

Economy

Kiwi sinks to 15-year low against euro

Kiwi may soften further against euro as traders price in cash rate expectations.

Andy Macdonald 23 Sep 2025

Economy

NZ wing of GrowthOps owed $4.3m in intercompany loans

The parent company floated on the ASX in 2017.

Gregor Thompson 23 Sep 2025

NZ wing of GrowthOps owed $4.3m in intercompany loans

Sponsored

AI agents: opportunity or graveyard? Spark’s five-point playbook for success

Artificial intelligence agents – autonomous digital entities that analyse data, automate decisions, and act independently – are set to drive a new wave of business transformation.

Spark Enterprise

Sponsored