OUR
STORY
I walk backwards into the future
Kia whakatōmuri te haere whakamua
At Naut, we believe in pushing boundaries. Born from a love for the sea and a commitment to sustainable innovation, our electric boats combine luxury and performance to create an unforgettable experience. Our products are designed and built in New Zealand.
OUR HISTORY
1936
McKay FOUNDED
McKay started in 1936 in, Northland, New Zealand, as a small electrical business serving local industries.

Over the decades, it grew into one of the country’s leading electrotechnology companies.
Original McKay office
2003 - 2020
McKay Expansion
McKay entered the marine electrical space with its first superyacht project in the USA in 2003. Soon after, it was engaged by New Zealand’s Ministry of Defence in a 30-year partnership to support the Navy.

McKay later developed a custom electric outboard system for a private client, laying the groundwork for future-focused marine innovation.

McKay completes New Zealand’s first Electric Ferry, Ika Rere in 2021.
Ika Rere
2021
Naut begins
In 2021, McKay saw a gap in the marine industry. Electric propulsion was making waves in ferries and super-yachts, it wasn’t reaching everyday boaties. That needed to change.

Naut started in Whangārei with a lofty ambition: proving electric boating is possible and making it accessible to all.

Under Fiona’s leadership, the Naut team began designing Naut’s Electric Propulsion System from the ground up with a focus on high performance electric experiences.
Naut founders Fiona and Lyndsay
2022 - 2024
Naut product development
Naut securing seed funding and continued developing Naut’s Electric Propulsion System and tested sterndrive and outboard prototypes with real users.

Beachcomber (sterndrive) was Naut’s first proof of concept. Followed by the development of the first Outboard prototypes becoming Kaha.
Beachcomber
TODAY
NGARU LAUNCHES
This year, Naut launches the New Zealand’s most powerful Electric Propulsion System.

Ngaru
Turn-key electric boat that blends craft and clean tech.

Kaha
Outboard that’s built for serious power boasting a 300+hp electric engine with 500hp peak.
Naut at festival
LEADING THE SHIFT TO ELECTRIC
At Naut, we understand where electric boating is today and where it’s heading. Our team brings deep technical expertise and real world insight to help shape the future of marine propulsion.
Infrastructure
McKay has expertise in charging infrastructure design and install, along with bespoke marine electrical and renewable energy generation.
Supply
Naut have partnerships with suppliers and parts are now production ready.
Regulation
Naut works closely with Maritime NZ to ensure that everything we do fits with upcoming regulations.
Our mission at Naut
To take boating back to the days of being powered by the elements and beyond, where every journey leaves the water better than it was found.
Our promise
to you.
Support all the way
We’re here to support you through every chapter of your electric experience. From your first questions to your first day on the water and everything after.
No question is too small. No detail is left behind. Our job is to make your electric journey feel easy, confident, and fully yours.
Unwavering safety
Designed with safety at its core it meets some of the toughest maritime safety standards in the world.
From thermal management to system monitoring, every component is built to protect you, your vessel, and the environment, giving you peace of mind every time you head out on the water.
Easy maintenance
Whether you’re doing donuts in a speed boat, out for a quiet fish, or cruising with the family, electric means more time on the water and less time in the workshop.
Naut electric keeps maintenance low, with fewer moving parts and no oil changes or fuel system issues, so you can focus on the fun, not the fixes.
It takes a community to restore an ocean
Whether you’re out there every weekend or just tagging along with mates to the beach, we all feel the pull of the water. And chances are, you know someone using a petrol-powered engine. Now’s the time to move differently, by choosing better ways to enjoy the water.
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Choose electric
If you’re buying a boat, replacing an outboard, or just curious, start thinking electric. It’s cleaner, quieter, and better for the places we love.
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In electric boats, a battery-powered motor replaces the engine, delivering the same movement, but with less noise, no emissions, and fewer maintenance needs. We call this electric propulsion.
SUPPORT ELECTRIC
Whether you’re a boatie, a business, or someone who simply cares about the ocean, you can stand for better movement on the water. The story of electric boating is just getting started, join the community today and be part of what comes next.
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