The organisers & owners of the Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show were deeply saddened this week to learn that long-time exhibitor and NZ Boat Show Hall of Fame member Bob Tait had passed away after a long illness.

Bob will be remembered by many as the owner of Diversified Products and the distributor for Tohatsu outboards.

In 2009, Bob became the first person to be awarded a life membership of the Marine Industry Association of New Zealand (now NZ Marine), in recognition of the enormous contribution he had made to the industry: seven years as president, two as vice president and many years as chairman of the Boating Industry Training Organisation. Bob was a major influencer and industry leader and helped shape the NZ marine industry to the success it is today.

In 2014 he was inducted into the prestigious NZ Boat Show Hall of Fame in recognition of his decades of support for the show, the industry and the many fishing competitions and community projects which he helped sponsor.

RIP Bob and our sincere condolences to wife Jill and his family.