2016 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES: GARY & GREG DUTTON

Gary and Greg Dutton have contributed an enormous amount to the marine and watersports industries and to the New Zealand Boat Show.

They have both worked for the same group of companies since they were just 15 years old, have been exhibitors at the show for virtually all of that time and have been instrumental in ensuring the continued success of one of new Zealand’s most iconic boat races.

Gary and Greg both left school, separately, at 15 to work with their father, Rollo Dutton, at Waikato institution, Rollos Marine. Rollo had founded the Hamilton boat-building yard and marine dealership in 1958 and then started DMW Trailers in 1974.

Under Rollo’s guidance, the brothers quickly became an integral part of the business and, in 1983, they purchased DMW Trailers from him. Later that decade, they again combined to buy Rollos Marine, too.

Under their ownership, Rollos Marine has continued to forge long-lasting and valued relationships with some of the marine industry’s most respected brands: Haines Hunter, Senator and, since 2004, Yamaha. In 2011, their professionalism and dedication was recognised when they were made Yamaha’s first Platinum Dealer in New Zealand.

As owners of Rollos Marine and DMW Trailers, Gary and Greg have achieved much: they were pioneers of the multi-roller trailer in New Zealand and, in the late 1980s, were one of the first to perfect the now-common design.

They have, for an incredible 30 of the 32 years it has run, been co-naming rights sponsors and strong supporters of the iconic Bridge to Bridge Water Ski Race along the Waikato River. They have also been long-time supporters of NZ Tournament Waterski, Wakeboarding NZ and the Auckland Water Ski Club, sponsoring their competitions and providing their towboats; and sponsors of the Raglan and Kawhia Sportsfishing Clubs.

They have also strongly supported the Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show, too.  Exhibiting almost continuously since their founding, they have often supported both newcomers to the industry and some of the smaller boatbuilders, providing trailers to enable them to attend the show and helping sponsor many of the show’s Grand Prize packages with their DMW Premier Series trailers.

Individually, the pair has also made considerable contributions to the industry and to the sport of waterski racing.

Gary has served on the New Zealand Marine executive and been Chairman of NZ Marine’s Boat Dealers Committee. In 2013, as part of the event’s 30-year celebrations, Gary was named a Bridge-to-Bridge Legend for his contribution to the iconic river race.

He has also spent an impressive 34 years as a member of the Rotary Club of Te Rapa, including a spell as President, and was made a Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary’s highest honour.

Greg, too has been appointed a Bridge to Bridge Legend, is a Life Member of NZ Ski Racing and a member of their Hall of Fame.

He is a three-time Driver of the Year, has won medals at 4 world championships, been NZ Team Captain at 6 world championships, is a current IWWF Racing Council delegate and was instrumental in bringing the World Ski Racing Championships to New Zealand in 2007 — and ensuring it was a resounding success.

The pair have also ensured the future success of their companies, introducing Gary’s sons Mark and Jared and Greg’s son Brad into our wonderful New Zealand marine industry.