As the New Zealand boating market becomes increasingly sophisticated, so the size and scope of the type of boats being sold here is changing. This new appreciation and demand for craft at the super-luxury end of the spectrum is expressed in boats such as the Azimut S7.

It is somewhat unusual to review a boat of such relatively modest dimensions with inboard diesel power rather than outboards, but the Swedish-built Paragon 25 Cabin has a 320hp Volvo Penta turbodiesel neatly tucked away under the cockpit sole.

Setting off on Slime – a 13.5m John Hughes extended Blade Runner catamaran – is akin to accelerating down the runway in a big jet. You’re thrust back into your seating position, thrilled by the raw power.

Maritimo’s fame comes from its highly refined flybridge cruisers which has put it on the global map – the new M55 is the very essence of what this premium Australian builder does.

Extreme Boats’ 645CC (Centre Console) was the supreme Boat of the Show award winner at this year’s Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show. Superbly finished, lavishly-equipped and artfully-displayed, she caught the judges’ attention. But they didn’t get the opportunity to evaluate her on the water. We did.

Until recently the Highfield brand of aluminium-hulled RIBs has been relatively unknown in New Zealand. And yet they are probably the world’s leading manufacturer of RIBs and tenders, having delivered over 27,000 boats in just 10 years since the company’s formation.

Looking a little like a miniature Volvo boat, the black-hulled Dehler 30od (one design) delivers the best of cutting-edge monohull design in a sleek, go-fast package.