Wellington startup NZ Boat Register partners with One NZ to launch AquaGPS, the country’s first GPS tracking device to use One NZ Satellite powered by Starlink, giving people who love to get in and on the water location awareness from the driveway to up to 85 nautical miles offshore.
WELLINGTON, NZ – A new GPS tracking device that seamlessly switches between cellular and satellite connectivity is now available to New Zealand’s recreational boat owners, making it the first device of its kind in the country.
AquaGPS, launched by Wellington-based NZ Boat Register and powered by One NZ’s traditional cell tower and satellite networks, delivers location tracking that keeps working when traditional cell-based trackers drop out. When within range of One NZ’s 4G network, the device transmits frequent location updates through cell towers. When it moves beyond cell coverage, it automatically connects to One NZ Satellite wherever the sky can be seen to continue transmitting periodic location updates, with no manual intervention required.
The service is also believed to be the first publicly demonstrated battery-powered asset tracking device to achieve satellite connectivity on mobile hardware, with a linked digital ownership record for the recreational marine market.
“This solves a problem every boat owner understands,” says Sam Allen, Co-Founder and Chief Executive of NZ Boat Register, “Until now, most standalone GPS trackers under $400 stopped working the moment you left cell range. AquaGPS keeps working, whether your boat is on a trailer in the driveway, moored at a marina, or up to 85 nautical miles offshore. Its coverage is exceptional and is self contained so not needing to be wired in. With a battery life optimised for satellite connectivity.”
Closing the Coverage Gap
New Zealand’s geography has long been a challenge for affordable asset tracking. Approximately 40 per cent of the country’s landmass sits outside traditional cell tower coverage, according to One NZ. Coastal waters, remote boat ramps, backcountry stations, and offshore fishing grounds have all been out of reach for most consumer-affordable cellular-based GPS devices.
Existing cellular-based GPS trackers lose connectivity as soon as they move beyond cell-tower range. Satellite-capable alternatives exist, but at price points that are generally beyond the reach of most recreational users.
One NZ changed that equation when it became the first telecommunications provider in the world to launch a nationwide satellite TXTservice in late 2024, and extended this to IoT devices in June 2025, a capability One NZ described as “another global first.” AquaGPS is the first consumer GPS device in New Zealand to put this satellite IoT infrastructure to work, giving everyday boat owners access to satellite-powered location tracking at an accessible price point.
Marko Ferreira, General Manager Enterprise Customers at One NZ, says “AquaGPS is a clear demonstration of how the One NZ Satellite network is powering practical IoT solutions for everyday New Zealanders. By partnering with NZ Boat Register, we’re turning our satellite capability into a simple, real-world solution that helps boat owners and marine organisations better protect and manage their vessels, vehicles and gear.
It shows how innovation on our network can translate into accessible technology that delivers genuine value on the water.”
At under $400 for the device and a monthly plan starting at $22.99, it is a game-changer for the thousands of New Zealanders who have wanted satellite-capable tracking for their boats, trailers, vehicles and gear.
More Than a Standalone Tracker
What sets AquaGPS apart from other GPS devices is what happens with the location data once it arrives.
AquaGPS adds location awareness to the NZ Boat Register’s existing identification and registration tools, completing a three-part system designed to reduce the risk of loss on and off the water. A GPS unit on its own tells you where something is. Connected to a digital record, it also tells you what you are looking for, who it belongs to, and who to contact when found.
With location information being captured every 2 minutes when in motion, it’s a game changer for active tracking. Be it a fishing trip, regatta or recovery situation. Each AquaGPS is linked to the owner’s digital record on the NZ Boat Register, a free nationwide platform where watercraft owners store craft details, photos, serial numbers, documentation, and emergency contact information. These details are linked to a rich tracking interface for each AquaGPS unit, or multi-units as a tracked fleet, providing extremely rich item identification details alongside active and timely location information.
New Zealand has approximately 1.6 million recreational vessels. When a boat is stolen, lost, or adrift, there is often no accessible record of what it looks like, who owns it, or where it was last seen. Increasing risk, time and costs associated with any recovery effort. The national recovery rate for stolen boats sits at ~14%.
Key AquaGPS Specifications
- Provides connectivity in the 40% of New Zealand’s land mass where traditional cell towers don’t reach, extending up to 85 nautical miles offshore via One NZ Satellite
- Ultra-rugged IP68 weatherproof and IK07 impact-resistant housing
- 3 x AA user-replaceable batteries (battery life dependent on reporting frequency and conditions)
- Geofencing with automated movement alerts
- Adaptive tracking that increases update frequency when assets are moving and conserves battery when stationary
- AES-256 military-grade encryption from device to cloud
- Location data linked directly to the owner’s secure digital record on the NZ Boat Register
- Location data is owner managed. Shareable with nominated friends, groups or emergency contacts
Not Just for Boats
AquaGPS was designed with marine as its primary use case, but its applications extend well beyond the water wherever you can see the sky.
Farmers can track vehicles, side-by-sides, and equipment across remote stations where traditional cell coverage is nonexistent. Hunters can register their gear, gaining visibility where they are in the backcountry. Hikers and trampers can see where they went and also share where they are on the go. Sailing clubs and event organisers can track fleet movements during offshore and coastal racing. And for the hundreds of thousands of Kiwis who drive their craft home after a weekend on the water, AquaGPS can provide greater peace of mind whether their craft is in the driveway, at a storage yard, or parked up at the bach.
“We keep hearing from people who have wanted this kind of tracking for years but could not afford the alternatives, or have had problems with remote connectivity or battery life” says Allen. “At this price point, it’s not just for boat owners. It’s for anyone with valuable gear, or for families that have loved ones on the water or on the land, they want to keep track of.”
Pricing and Availability
AquaGPS is available for purchase now at AquaGPS.co.nz:
- Hardware: $399 (one-time purchase)
- Monthly subscription: $24.99 per month
- Annual subscription: $22.99 per month (billed annually)
For more information, visit AquaGPS.co.nz or nzboatregister.co.nz.
One NZ Satellite Terms: Capacity management and fair use may apply.
About NZ Boat Register
NZ Boat Register is New Zealand’s first nationwide platform for recreational watercraft identification and registration. Operating as a profit-for-good venture, the company provides free digital boat registration and builds tools to help owners document, identify, locate, and manage their boats and gear, reducing the risk and cost of loss on and off the water. A portion of all revenue is reinvested into New Zealand’s boating communities.
NZ Boat Register is an independent platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or partnered with NZ Police, Maritime NZ, Coastguard NZ, or any government agency. Statistics referenced are from publicly available data sources.
Website: nzboatregister.co.nz
Media Contact
Justin McCabe
Co-Founder NZ Boat Register
Email: Justin@nzboatregister.co.nz
Phone: +64 27 807 4236
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