**please note that due to strong demand, kayak production is currently booked through to August 2022**
We have trained extensively with Grahame Sisson during the Autumn and Winter of 2019 to learn the art of constructing quality water craft that perform and endure, before embarking on our own journey of evolution. We have established a factory environment in Southland, New Zealand with a controlled climate that enables us to handcraft beautiful boats, consistently and efficiently. Our driving aim is to supply the best boats in the market, so we look forward to bringing our own innovative ideas to people who enjoy paddle sports as much as we do.
The construction of your new kayak is a very personalised process. We build each kayak one at a time from start to finish and it is not uncommon to have communication with our customers during the build to make sure that every detail is focused on your requirements. As such, every build is a custom build and no two kayaks are exactly the same.
Our intermediate and advanced kayaks are available in standard and ultralight options. Both options utilise a well-proven combination of fibreglass, carbon and Kevlar for strength, stiffness, flexibility and minimal weight. While our principal focus is on robustness and performance in harsh conditions, we understand that some of our customers appreciate an exceptionally light kayak so we offer the Ultralight option which uses a different type of glass cloth, reducing weight while maintaining impact strength. The Ultralight option is less rigid (i.e. more flexible) so impacts with rocks will tend to result in more visible gelcoat damage. Therefore we recommend the Ultralight option only to experienced kayakers who have learnt to look after their kayak on the river, and/or who intend to use the kayak on flat water or deep rivers only. The standard build is the best option for the majority of paddlers, especially those who paddle on rocky rivers often. The typical finished weight for a standard-build kayak is around 13.5 kg and the Ultralight option is around 12 kg.
We are now taking orders with a typical turn-around time of 3-5 weeks. To order a kayak or begin discussing what's best for you, please feel free to contact us.

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Length4.9 meter
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Width550 mm
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Skill levelBeginner
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Entry-level Fibreglass buildFibreglass only $3190
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Standard BuildCarbon/Kevlar/Fibreglass composite $3590
From $3,290.00 NZD
Previously named the Eliminator, the Reliance is the proven combination of stability, maneuverability, comfort and reliability that new Kayakers love. With a composite construction of Fibreglass and Kevlar the Reliance is light, efficient and robust. We also offer an extremely economical option of Fibreglass-only layup for The Reliance to help new Multisporters get started on a budget. The very stable hull has a sensible length so you'll find The Reliance easy to control in the wind and waves and easy to navigate down grade 2 rapids. The Reliance also out-performs plastic alternatives for speed and is lighter for lifting onto roof-racks.

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Length4.9 meter
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Width520 mm
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Skill levelConfident Beginner
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Standard BuildCarbon/Kevlar/Fibreglass composite hull with fibreglass cockpit rim / integrated seat $3590
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Carbon BuildCarbon/Kevlar/Fibreglass composite hull with clear carbon cockpit rim / integrated seat $3740
From $3,590.00 NZD
Previously named the Esprit, the Argo is an achievable step into more responsiveness and speed for kayakers who like to retain plenty of stability. The Argo has a similar hull to the Reliance but is slightly narrower through the mid-section. It feels solid on the water and responds like a dream. If you are a confident beginner or ready to take the next step in your kayaking progression, this is the perfect racing kayak for you.
- Fishform hull design for efficiency, comfort and confidence
- Sensible length for easy, quick manoeuvring
- Easy to control in winds
- Capable of good results

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Length5.9 meter
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Width480 mm
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Skill LevelIntermediate
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Standard BuildCarbon/Kevlar/Fibreglass composite hull with clear carbon trim $4600
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Ultralight BuildUltralight Carbon/Kevlar/Fibreglass composite hull with clear carbon Trim $4950
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Integrated, recessed watch holder (optional)$195
From $4,600.00 NZD
You told us you want more length, less bottom drag, more primary stability, more speed, more comfort, more control, more strength, less weight. We've listened. The N2 is here and is an extremely versatile, fast but easy to paddle kayak for intermediate paddlers.
The N2 is the first of a new generation of multisport kayaks in the Nautique range, using new technology and learnings from all over the globe. We obsessed over every detail in a design process that had input from several of the industry's leading brains. We knew what we wanted and some incredibly talented people helped us to get there. Designed with an uber-efficient hull that reduces drag and a balance-friendly, progressive chine; the N2 sets a new benchmark in speed-to-stability performance: Easy to paddle, yet super-competitive.
Your new N2 can also include our innovative new WatchMount; an integrated, recessed, adjustable watch holder for securely mounting your watch in easy view to keep an eye on key stats like HR, cadence, speed, distance and time splits while training or racing.




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Length5.2 meter
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Width480 mm
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Skill levelIntermediate to advanced
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Standard BuildCarbon/Kevlar/Fibreglass composite hull with clear carbon cockpit $3950
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Ultralight BuildUltralight Carbon/Kevlar/Fibreglass composite hull with clear carbon cockpit $4250
From $3,950.00 NZD
The Gyro is designed for smaller paddlers up to 72kg and blends a slippery-fast, rounded hull with elegantly flared sides for excellent secondary stability. The result is a hull that gives you the best of both worlds - elite-level speeds with intermediate-level stability.
What's in the name? Grahame Sisson designed what he called the Nucleus range after many years of designing and building racing kayaks. Nearing the end of his full-time career he took lessons from what worked and what didn't work into a design that he considers to be his best ever, particularly the smallest of the range which he called the Nucleus 60. We love paddling this boat and so we decided it would be fitting to re-name it after Grahame - whose nick-name is Gyro (pronounced Jai-row). An apt nick-name for a clever, well researched man with exceptional ingenuity and innovation.
For progressing intermediate paddlers, the Gyro is an excellent step into the world of slippery hulls. It won't feel rock-solid like a wider, flat-bottomed beginner boat at first, but after just a few sessions in this boat paddlers learn to relax and utilise the hull's excellent secondary stability. It's like having a nice safety net - all the feedback without the consequences. Soon, the "wobbles" subside, better balance comes and with it the comfort and confidence to paddle a fast, narrow racing hull.
For expert paddlers, the Gyro is a super-fun kayak that reminds you how much fun paddling can be. It's shorter length compared to most elite boats makes it much more nimble in rapids. It rails nicely just like your elite boat, but it feels much more stable. Imagine having the confidence to take both hands off the paddle in moving water to eat. And here's the kicker - it's just as fast as your elite boat. It really is. In all of our testing in various conditions under a range of power inputs, the Gyro has performed as good, if not better, than the elite boats we've tested against. There is no speed compromise for the convenience of this shorter, more stable hull, due to it's very clever design.
Please note that the maximum weight suggestion is related to the boat's handling in rough water. A Gyro can also be paddled on flat water with great results by a larger (80+ kg) paddler.
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Length6.25m
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Width428mm
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Skill LevelAdvanced to Elite
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Standard Build (recommended for most)Carbon/Kevlar/Fibreglass composite hull with carbon trim and external seam strip $4600
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Ultralight BuildUltralight Carbon/Kevlar/Fibreglass composite hull with carbon trim and carbon external seam strip, $4950
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Integrated, recessed WatchMount (optional)$195
From $4,600.00 NZD
THE NEW N1 IS COMING SOON. You told us you want more length, less bottom drag, more primary stability, more speed, more comfort, more control, more strength, less weight. We've listened. The N1 is a direct progression from the very popular N2 and will be the new benchmark for advanced to elite athletes who want extremely high levels of performance in a kayak that is also comfortable and confidence-inspiring for long stretches of river racing.
The N1 is the second of a new generation of multisport kayaks in the Nautique range, using new technology and learnings from all over the globe. We obsessed over every detail in a design process that had input from several of the industry's leading brains. We knew what we wanted and some incredibly talented people helped us to get there. Designed with an uber-efficient hull that reduces drag and a balance-friendly, progressive chine; the N1 sets a new benchmark in speed-to-stability performance for advanced to elite paddlers. The N1 has a sensible length to minimise "wetted area" for endurance-distance efficiency whilst also encouraging the kind of top-end pace that is required to dominate races.
Your new N1 can also include our innovative new WatchMount; an integrated, recessed, adjustable watch holder for securely mounting your watch in easy view to keep an eye on key stats like HR, cadence, speed, distance and time splits while training or racing.



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Length6.1 meter
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Width400 mm
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Skill LevelElite
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Standard BuildCarbon/Kevlar/Fibreglass composite hull with clear carbon trim $4090
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Ultralight BuildCarbon/Kevlar/Fibreglass composite hull with clear carbon trim $4440
From $4,090.00 NZD
The Vanquish is for Elite level paddlers who want to win. At only 400 mm wide the Vanquish is not for the faint hearted and has proven itself unbeatable in capable hands. This is the boat that Steve Gurney had originally wanted, then finally received and used to good effect when he overtook Keith Murray on the river in their momentous 2001 Coast to Coast showdown.
Due to the narrow waterline this hull is incredibly slippery through the water and the carefully calculated length offers perfect wave straddling on most grade 2 river wave-trains. Lighter paddlers will press the hull sufficiently into the water to realise the optimal waterline length. There's enough volume to cope with heavier paddlers who want the fastest hull available, too.
Like the Evo Spectre, the top deck is carefully designed to shed water from the bow and avoid catching wind.
The tough rudder system provides surprisingly high levels of manoeuvrability for a long boat, and just the right amount of rocker at each end of the hull makes this boat very predictable in the boils and cross currents of rivers. The Vanquish holds its line and holds its speed, but will turn quickly and precisely when required.
At Nautique Paddle Sports NZ we believe that paddling an Evolution Vanquish is a perfectly valid and respectable life goal. The Vanquish is a beautiful beast.




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Length6.1m
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Width400mm
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Skill levelElite
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Optimal paddler weight rangeTurbulent water: up to 70kg. Flat water: up to 90kg
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Standard buildCarbon/Kevlar/Fibreglass composite hull with clear carbon trim $4090
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Ultralight buildCarbon/Kevlar/Fibreglass composite hull with clear carbon trim $4440
From $4,090.00 NZD
The Evo ONE is for lighter, Elite level paddlers who want to level the playing field with the bigger, stronger paddlers. At only 400 mm wide the Evo ONE is as slippery as they get and with reduced rocker, even feather-weights can enjoy the potential speed from a full-length waterline. The cockpit is also positioned further forward to help keep the bow down under full power which all but eliminates stern-squat and further improves water-speed.
Paddlers under 65 kg often struggle to overcome surface friction in longer boats, compared with bigger, stronger paddlers. Light paddlers also fail to press the bow properly into the water in other Elite kayaks, especially under power, which further slows the boat down. The Evo ONE overcomes both of these obstacles, allowing lighter paddlers to foot it with anyone.
The top deck is cleverly sculpted into the front of the cockpit to reduce the height and enable shorter athletes to paddle easily.
The Evo ONE is optimized for light paddlers on flat water but can be also be paddled on rivers by skilled paddlers and by heavier paddlers who want to maximise their flat water speed. Can heavier Elite paddlers (above 65 kg) paddle the Evo ONE on rivers too? Absolutely, but they will be better in a Vanquish which they will find more maneuverable. An ideal setup for Elite paddlers upward of 65 kg is to have an Evo Vanquish for river use and an Evo ONE for flat water use.


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Length6.6 meter
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Width550 mm
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Standard BuildCarbon/Kevlar/Fibreglass composite $6390
From $6,390.00 NZD
The Voyager is an ideal touring and adventure racing double kayak for experienced paddlers. Compared to the Touring model, the AR model is stripped back to basics with just two sealed compartments.
The “Greenlander” bow provides dynamic lift when the boat strikes a wave, thus keeping the bow paddler drier and paddling harder. The Humps© allow the stern paddler to keep his or her feet in the normal straight-up orientation allowing a much stronger paddling position and better comfort. The Sidetanks© add strength and stiffness to the Voyager so that it rams “shudderless” through large waves.
The Real hatches keep the two pressure tested compartments dry at all times.
Fully retractable rudder.
In adventure racing conditions the Voyager is extremely well regarded by many of the sports' top competitors.
Some unsolicitored quotes:-
Jeff Mitchell – “You have another good boat there! Quick on the flat water of Lake Coleridge which we were first across after the group started together on the second day. I was in the front of one, really nice to paddle. It felt like a racing boat as it was going so cleanly through the water. Stable, quick, appears really solid, and looks damn good. It is on my shopping list for later!”
Nathan Fa’avae – “Left the JKK boats in our dust”
Steve Gurney – “Three Voyagers went cruising to Ripapa Island two nights ago. A stiff Easterly blew up for our return, so I got out the kite. YEEEEEEEHHHHHHHAAAAR! Ian and I were launching off waves, skipping past the others having the time of our lives! What a blast! Nice boats thanks Gyro (Grahame's nickname), they handle the rough and tumble really well. Lisa and I took it fishing to Motunau Beach. We caught 9 Blue Cod. Lisa and I are just about to out for an hour or so now. That makes it 5 days in a row in the Voyager.”
Jim Davidson – “We love our boats”
Ian Adamson – “The boats went really well, and we did our best to destroy them! John managed to pile into a cliff doing 15 knots on the Rakaia, and only succeeded in making a 10cm crack in the nose! Mike and I went over a 1 metre drop and seesawed for a minute or so over the lip before plunging down into the river. We didn’t notice the boat flex even a mm”