Competitive yacht racer Tristan Campbell has spent his life in and around New Zealand's waterways, and the majority of his career in the marine industry. As National Sales Manager of Kiwi Yachting, he’s built a reputation of reliability and thorough knowledge of marine hardware.
Tristan has an extensive network of marine trade contacts, and strives to connect boat owners with them through BoatSmart HQ. Alongside holding national sailing titles, Tristan has gained a high level of expertise in sailing vessel management and all types of power craft.
Living right on the doorstep of Tutukaka Marina, Tristan is the Boatsmart HQ First Mate you can depend on in the Northland region.
With over 15 years’ experience in the Marine Industry, Hugo started his career as a single-handed sailing coach down at Murrays Bay Sailing Club. Following his passion for boating, he completed his Boat Building and Marine Systems engineering apprenticeships in New Zealand before heading overseas on Super Yachts. He worked his way up to Chief Engineer on vessels over 50mtrs and is still a standby engineer on some of the local yachts here in New Zealand.
Hugo is now settled down after a life on the water up on the Whangaparaoa Coast and if not found at the local Marinas in the Rodney area, you’ll see him out fishing on his own boat or catching a wave at the local surf breaks.
Boat expert, and local First Mate, Andrew brings key skills to the table when it comes to looking after your boat. He comes from a long line of boaters, dating back to the early 1900s. Not only does he know how to take care of vessels of all shapes and sizes, Andrew is able to provide insight on how to have a great boating experience.
Andrew ensures to make himself easily available to help out with any assistance required on board. Andrew’s services extend across a handful of marina locations across the East Auckland region.
Yachtmaster Dominic Ryan-Kidd is the BoatSmart HQ First Mate for Westhaven and Orakei, as well as Bayswater, Milford and Hobsonville Marinas in Auckland. Dominic has a wide-ranging background in sailing, IT and farming.
After competing in the Whitbread Round the World Race and the Round Ireland race, Dominic worked as a sailing instructor and engineer, where he gained his Yachtmaster’s qualification.
Dominic has spent the last 25 years managing teams building analytic data models for large corporations, and is now re-indulging in his passion for boating.
Aaron Beattie has over 30 years experience in all aspects of boat building, making him the ideal First Mate to look after your vessel. After completing his Boat Building apprenticeship with Terry Bailey Boat Builders, Aaron moved on to McMullen and Wing Boat Builders, where he worked on superyachts. He was even involved with the famous black boats that brought the Americas Cup to New Zealand for the first time.
Aaron has since formed his own company, Lifestyle Yachts where he’s built ten vessels for renowned boat designers. Lifestyle Yachts also carries out repairs, maintenance, alterations and insurance work - so you could say Aaron is an all-round boat guru!
Aaron looks after BoatSmart HQ clients in a variety of locations in the Coromandel area including the Whitianga and Pauanui waterways.
Former British Army major Clive Poultney is the director of Vessel Management Tauranga Ltd, and brings a wealth of experience to this role. After spending 25 years in the Royal Engineers, Clive and his family moved to New Zealand.
Clive has gained Marine Diesel Engine Maintenance and Boatmaster qualifications, giving him the skills and knowledge to come in handy as Tauranga’s local First Mate. In his spare time, he enjoys crewing a yacht, sailing, ocean fishing, freshwater fishing, kayaking and takes every opportunity to be outdoors.
Passionate fisherman and diver Dion Brown has a wide range of career experience, including operations and general management. He has enjoyed over 40 years on the sea; extensively explored the Marlborough Sounds; Hauraki Gulf along to the North Cape; and sailed the Ionian Sea and English Channel.
His passion for the Marlborough region is deep seated and his roots in the Queen Charlotte Sounds go right back to the 1960s. Based in Marlborough, Dion is our BoatSmart HQ First Mate for the Picton, Waikawa and Havelock Marinas.
Class 3 Marine Engineer Tav Kaipeti has over 20 years experience in all aspects of the marine industry, making him an ideal First Mate to look after your boat.
Upon completing his engineering study at the Australian Maritime College, Tav started his career as an Engineers’ Sailor in the Tuvalu Maritime Police Service, where he worked his way up to Second Engineer.
Tav came to New Zealand and completed his study for Marine Engineer class 3 in 2016. He then served as Chief Engineer on government vessels, doing preventative maintenance and setting tasks for junior engineers.
Tav is our BoatSmart HQ First Mate for the Te Ana Lyttelton and Queenstown marinas.
