The yacht that redefined performance, elegance, and expectation

A New Class of Superyacht

Before wavepiercers became part of the luxury yachting conversation, Spirit led the way. Launched in 2005, she was the first superyacht of her kind. Designed to showcase hydrodynamic efficiency and sculptural sophistication, Spirit quickly became an icon of innovation.

Illustration of a wavepiercer luxury yacht named Spirit with New Zealand Yachts flag, featuring multiple decks, antennae, and a streamlined design, against a dark background.
Two people reviewing plans of New Zealand Yachts 35M Spirit Wavepiercer
Blueprint drawings of three different views of a yacht, showing interior layouts and deck plans.
Ken Freivokh, a man with gray, wavy hair and a beard, wearing a light-colored shirt, looking off to the side with a serious expression.

The Design Collaboration: Where Vision Meets Velocity

The exterior and interior of Spirit were designed by Ken Freivokh, whose portfolio of revolutionary yachts helped define a new design language in the superyacht world. With Spirit, Freivokh shaped a vessel that was both bold and refined—bringing together the grace of sculpture and the power of purposeful engineering.

The Build: From Shipyard to Sea

Inside a large shipyard, workers are constructing a wooden yacht mold, with some workstations and tools visible around.

Spirit was constructed in a dedicated yacht-building facility developed by New Zealand Yachts at the Port of Whangārei. Drawing on decades of shipbuilding expertise, the build process integrated advanced composite materials, precision workmanship, and a spirit of quiet ambition.

Older man in blue coveralls working at a cluttered workshop desk near a window, with various tools and office supplies.
A man operating a metalworking lathe machine in a workshop, with machinery and tools in the background.
A technician working on an open electrical control panel inside a workshop.
Large indoor workshop with a partially assembled boat hull suspended above the floor, surrounded by construction materials and equipment, with a yellow overhead crane labeled 'Vesimimo' and 'Street' hanging from the ceiling.
Motor Yacht Spirit, a large wavepiercer superyacht is being assembled indoors, with workers around it on scaffolding and the floor.

The Interior: Refined Living, Abundant Space

  • 35M Spirit Wavepiercer
  • 35-meter motor yacht Spirit, white luxury wavepiercer superyacht with multiple decks sailing on the water, featuring a hot tub on the front deck and various antennas on the upper deck.
  • People relaxing and enjoying drinks on the deck of Spirit, a large white wavepiercer superyacht with an upper and lower outdoor lounging area, set on the water with green hills in the background.
  • View from the deck of a yacht with a hot tub, curved seating with pillows, overlooking a body of water and distant hills under a blue sky with wispy clouds.
  • A hot tub on a yacht deck with blue patterned seating on either side, overlooking a marina with boats and a residential area in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
  • View from the deck of a yacht showing wooden flooring, metal railings, cushioned seats with blue and white patterned fabric, and a harbor with boats under a blue sky with clouds.
  • View of a yacht deck with navy and white patterned cushions and pillows, overlooking a marina at sunset.
  • Outdoor seating area on a boat with blue patterned cushions, numerous pillows, and a view of the marina with boats and water under a clear blue sky.
  • Interior of a yacht with white leather seating, a wooden steering wheel, and a view of the sky through large windows.
  • View from inside a yacht, featuring the helm with navigation equipment, a wooden steering wheel, and electronic controls, with large windows showing a blue sky with scattered clouds and other boats in the water.
  • Outdoor lounge and dining area on a yacht with a large wooden table, striped chairs, a floral centerpiece, plush seating, a coffee table, jetskis, and boats docked at the marina during sunset.
  • Dining area on a yacht with a long wooden table set with plates, napkins, and cutlery, surrounded by striped blue and white chairs, and a floral centerpiece. Outside view of water and boats through large windows.
  • Deck of a yacht with outdoor seating including two armchairs and a round sofa with colorful cushions, overlooking a marina with several boats, under a partly cloudy sky.
  • View of the deck on a luxury Yacht with cushioned chairs, round daybeds, and railing, sailing through the ocean with water trailing behind.
  • Luxury bedroom with a large bed with white and navy blue pillows, wooden accents, and a balcony door with a view of boats docked outside.
  • A neatly made bed with white sheets and large white pillows, accented by smaller textured blue pillows, centered against a padded white headboard, flanked by modern black wall lamps with chrome fixtures, in a wood-paneled bedroom.
  • Living room with beige sofas, a wooden coffee table with a flower arrangement, wooden paneling, large windows with curtains, and lamps.
  • Interior view of a boat or yacht with wooden paneling, a decorative black sculpture on a wooden shelf, and a hallway leading to a seating area with windows showing an outside view.
  • Modern bathroom with large window showing a blue sky with clouds. Features wooden wall paneling, a glass-enclosed shower with beige tiles, toilet, bidet, and white towels hanging on a wooden rack.
  • A modern bathroom featuring wooden panel walls, a black granite countertop, two white vessel sinks with silver faucets, and a large mirror. There are various toiletries, towels, and electrical outlets, with windows covered by blinds and a glass shower enclosure in the background.
  • Interior of a bedroom with wood paneling, two beds with pillows, framed artwork, a decorative sculpture, and a ceiling with multiple light fixtures.
  • Interior of a cruise ship cabin with two twin beds, wooden furnishings, a small window with curtains, and wall art depicting a tree. There is a nightstand with a lamp and water bottles, and shelves holding decorative items.
  • A modern hotel room with two beds, each with white and blue pillows, wooden frames, nightstands with lamps, framed artwork on the walls, and beige carpeting.
  • Interior of a cozy bedroom with wooden paneling, a bed with white and gray pillows, and a small sink area in a modern yacht or cabin.
  • Interior of a cozy bedroom with a large bed featuring pillows and a throw blanket, wooden panel walls, a small flat-screen TV on the wall, and a view of another room through open doors.
  • A modern bathroom with wooden walls, a sink with a stone basin, a large mirror, and a glass-enclosed shower with a handheld showerhead.
  • A bathroom with a vessel sink, a large mirror, and wooden walls. There are toiletries, towels, and a window with a circular skylight above.
  • Luxurious bedroom with a large bed, multiple pillows, beige blanket, soft lighting, wood furniture, large mirror, and window with curtains.
  • Luxury hotel room featuring a large bed with multiple pillows, bedside lamps, a wall art piece, a wooden shelving unit with decorative objects, and a sofa.
  • Inside a luxurious bathroom with wood cabinetry, black countertops, a vessel sink, and a separate shower area with glass enclosure.
  • A luxurious bathroom with a double sink vanity, wooden cabinets, and a large mirror. The countertop is black with the sinks mounted on top. Towel racks holding white towels, a soap dispenser, and toiletries are visible. There are glass shower doors on the right, and reflection shows a small lamp and additional towels.
  • Luxurious living room with beige sofas, a black and wood curved bar or counter, large windows with city view, and modern decor including flowers, lamps, and cushions.
  • Interior of motor yacht Spirit, a boat living room with beige sofas, blue patterned pillows, glass coffee tables, wooden paneling, and a large window showing water and trees outside.
  • Interior of motor yacht Spirit, a wavepiercer superyacht with a round wooden dining table, cream upholstered chairs, a vase with white orchids, large windows with gray blinds, wooden paneling, and a spiral staircase.
  • Interior view of a luxurious yacht with a large flat-screen TV displaying an aerial view of waves hitting a beach, surrounded by wooden and black accents, spiral staircase, and seating area.
  • Interior view of a spiral staircase with wooden steps and a metal handrail, set against wooden-paneled walls and a marble floor with a circular pattern.
  • Interior view of a modern staircase with wooden steps, polished metal handrails, and a curved black support structure, surrounded by warm wooden walls and ceiling, with reflective lighting.
  • Interior view of a yacht navigation bridge with black leather captain's chairs, electronic navigation equipment, and panoramic windows showing a blue sky with clouds.
  • The image shows the control panel of a boat, with various electronic instruments, screens, a wooden steering wheel, and a leather chair. Large windows reveal a bright, partly cloudy sky outside.
  • Inside the bridge of a yacht with black leather chairs, wooden panels, and control screens.
  • A narrow, modern commercial kitchen with stainless steel appliances, knives mounted on the wall, and small appliances on the counter, with a clock and various utensils and cleaning supplies visible.
  • A modern kitchen with white cabinets, a black countertop, and various appliances including a coffee maker, toaster, dish rack with dishes, and a refrigerator. There are also storage jars on shelves, cleaning supplies near the sink, and a coat hanging on a hook.
  • Kitchen with knives hanging above stove, various kitchen utensils, condiments, cutting boards, and a toaster on the countertop.
  • Interior view of a boat or yacht lounge with a white cushion sofa, a decorative pillow labeled 'Spirit', wooden shelving with binders, a wooden wall with safety and information notices, and large windows showing a blue sky with clouds.
Motor yacht Spirit, a white and blue superyacht cruising in New Zealand on the water near rocky cliffs.

In 2005, Spirit received the International Superyacht Society Design Award for Best Power Yacht (32–43m) at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. She stood out in a class that included celebrated finalists such as Andiamo and the Wally Power 118—earning global recognition for her visionary design.

Award Winning Innovation

A shiny black sphere sculpture on a wooden base with a tilted white sail-like structure behind it, set against a dark background.
A wedding flag with the word 'New Zealand Yachts' and 'Creating the ultimate ocean experience' flapping in the wind on a boat with water and distant land in the background.

The Yacht That Sparked a Movement

The Yacht That Sparked a Movement

Spirit wasn’t just a debut—it was a breakthrough. Her design and performance laid the foundation for everything New Zealand Yachts continues to build today. As the original luxury wavepiercer, she remains a symbol of what’s possible when heritage, vision, and innovation converge.

An Experience as Exceptional as the Vessel

Each yacht begins with a private consultation and evolves into a fully custom commission—designed around your lifestyle, destinations, and aesthetic vision. From conception to sea trial, we offer a deeply personal process that ensures no two vessels are ever the same.

 

Let’s Begin

To discuss commissioning your luxurious waivepiercer, please contact us directly.

We offer complete discretion and personalized service from the very first conversation.