Local notices to mariners Ngā pānui ā-rohe ki te hunga mahi i te moana

All mariners are advised that there will be a Distress Signal Training at Te Atatu Boating Club, 32 Bridge Avenue, Te Atatu South, on 29 March 2026 between 1300 hrs and 1400 hrs.   

Distress signals to be used as the below:

*Not to be used for navigation

Jason Son
Maritime Officer
Harbourmaster’s Office

All mariners are advised that the Kaipara Air Weapons Range will be activated from 1-16 March 2026 between 0700 - 1700 (7am - 5pm) and 12-27 March 2026 between 0800 -1600 (8am - 4pm)  

The New Zealand Defence Force will be conducting LIVE EXPLOSIVE DEMOLITION ACTIVITY during this period.The area concerned is the land and sea at South Kaipara Head contained within a 4,500-metre radius circle centred on a position 36°28.453 South and 174°9.381 East. The area will be marked by flags on the beach and access roads, which will be patrolled. For their safety the Public are WARNED to stay well clear of the area during the periods of activation.  

*Not to be used for navigation.  

Gareth Williams 
Maritime Office
Harbourmaster’s Office

All mariners are advised that all 3G Virtual Aids to Navigation in Auckland are due for imminent disestablishment, due to the 3G network shutting down in New Zealand.   

The following Virtual Navigation Aids will be disestablished (which may happen at any time):

Isolated Danger

MMSI: 995126020
Name: Simpson Rock
Latitude: 36 00.4500 S
Longitude: 175 07.1992 E

MMSI: 995126022
Name: Horn Rock
Latitude: 36 15.3899 S
Longitude: 175 11.4805 E

MMSI: 995126027
Name: Anchorite Rock
Latitude: 36 25.8999 S
Longitude: 175 07.8496 E

MMSI: 995126041
Name: Shearer Rock
Latitude: 36 36.2000 S
Longitude: 174 55.0996 E

Reference point

MMSI: 995126032
Name: Newalphaps
Latitude: 36 44.2000 S
Longitude: 174 50.5000 E

MMSI: 995126033
Name: New Bravo PS
Latitude: 36 43.2000 S
Longitude: 174 51.5000 E

Beacon, Cardinal E

MMSI: 995126026
Name: Flat Rock Reef
Latitude: 36 27.5000 S
Longitude: 174 56.3594 E

MMSI: 995126030
Name: Ahaaharocks East
Latitude: 36 41.3401 S
Longitude: 175 01.9004 E

Beacon, Cardinal N

MMSI: 995126021
Name: Simpson Rock Reef
Latitude: 35 59.5501 S
Longitude: 175 07.1992 E

MMSI: 995126028
Name: The Noises
Latitude: 36 40.9500 S
Longitude: 174 57.9297 E

MMSI: 995126029
Name: Ahaaharocks
Latitude: 36 41.1499 S
Longitude: 175 01.5000 E

Beacon, Cardinal W

MMSI: 995126023
Name: The Pigeons
Latitude: 36 16.5901 S
Longitude: 175 19.6992 E

Light, without sectors

MMSI: 995126024
Name: Channel Island
Latitude: 36 25.3000 S
Longitude: 175 19.8906 E

MMSI: 995126025
Name: Flatrock
Latitude: 36 26.7500 S
Longitude: 174 55.5000 E

All mariners are advised to use alternative navigation aids and methods when transiting areas previously marked by these virtual symbols.  

Jason Son   
Maritime Officer   
Harbourmaster’s Office   

All mariners are advised that a submarine cable installation is planned out of Ōrewa Beach from 26 February 2026 to 14 March 2026, weather permitted. An installation vessel and support vessels will be on site and diving operations will be carried out from Ōrewa Beach to 7km offshore.

All mariners please stay clear of cable installation and diving support activities and vessels, and avoid anchoring and fishing in the vicinity of the work area.

Jason Son
Maritime Officer
Harbourmaster’s Office

All mariners are advised that the Tamaki River No.23 starboard hand channel mark off Panmure Yacht Club has been reported as missing. All mariners are advised to navigate with extreme caution while transiting through the area.

You should not use this map to navigate.

Bruce Goff
Maritime Officer

In addition to shoaling on the western side of the entrance, submerged rocks extend to the west of the green lateral beacon at the entrance to Whangateau Harbour.

At low water, these rocks have been reported as being a navigational hazard up to 15m west of the green lateral beacon.

All mariners are advised to navigate with caution whilst operating in this area, especially whilst navigating to the east of the red line depicted on the 2024 photo. Those without local knowledge should restrict their transits to high water.

You should not use this map to navigate.

Andrew Hayton
Auckland Harbourmaster

All mariners are advised that there will be marine works at the north of Bledisloe Wharf, Ports of Auckland from November 2025 to March 2027.

The area will be demarcated with yellow markers. The works involve crane and lifting, piling, dredging, demolition and diving operations.

All mariners are advised to navigate with caution while operating in this area.

All mariners are advised that there are Controlled Area Notice from Ministry of Primary Industries around Great Barrier Island, Little Barrier Island and Waiheke Island.

There are two levels of controls in place. In ‘Red Zone’ areas anchoring is not allowed, and in ‘Yellow Zone’ areas anchoring is allowed but anchoring equipment used in the zone must be checked and cleaned before leaving the area.

For further information, contact MPI and find out about the legal rules for boating and fishing to stop the spread of exotic caulerpa.

Jason Son
Maritime Officer
Harbourmaster’s Office

All mariners are advised that there will be temporary river closures as a part of O Mahurangi – PENLINK project at Weiti River. Details of schedule and locations are in the map.

All mariners operating in this area, refer to this message from the project team.

Wēiti River channel temporary closures

Dear neighbours,

The work we needed to do during the planned river channel closure is complete. The river channel reopened this morning (Wednesday 9 July).

Short-term closures

To construct Pier 4 (eastern side) pylons, concrete will be pumped across the navigable channel every 7 to 8 working days. These typically take 5 hours to complete. When possible, they will be timed around low tide times. These short-term closures won’t be notified.

Should a vessel need to pass through the navigable channel, it is imperative to call on marine channel VHF 73 to alert the team of your intentions, so staff can move the concrete boom or delay a lift as necessary. It is unsafe for vessels to pass through the navigable channel until it is clear.

Work hours

Our work hours are typically:

• Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm
• Saturday, 8am to 4pm.

However, approval has been granted to extend the bridge work hours to 9pm and to Sundays, should it be needed.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused during the short-term closures. We thank all river users for their patience and understanding during the ongoing construction of the future Weiti River Bridge.

Should you have any questions regarding these works please contact me.

Ngā mihi nui.

Trish Viall  
Stakeholder and Community Engagement Manager  
Mobile: 027 548 7474 Freephone: 0800 736 5465  
Email: trish.viall@fultonhogan.com

For information on the O Mahurangi project, visit www.nzta.govt.nz/penlink

Jason Son  
Maritime Officer 
Harbourmaster’s Office

Shoaling has been observed in the vicinity of the drying bank to the south of Karamuramu Island.

The shoaling appears to be particularly severe to the south and west of the South Cardinal beacon where depths are significantly less than those charted.

All mariners are advised to navigate with extreme caution while operating in this area.

*Not to be used for navigation

Andrew Hayton
Harbourmaster’s Office

All mariners are advised that there is shoaling on the western side of the channel,
near the Whau River Mouth. The location is identified with yellow, as below.
All mariners are advised to navigate with caution while operating in this area.

*Not to be used for navigation.

Christiaan Moss
Deputy Harbourmaster
Harbourmaster’s Office

All mariners are advised that there will be marine farm development at Western Firth from 9 November 2023. The development includes the installation of navigation aids, mussel lines, and others. The site is located in YELLOW on the map below. All mariners are advised to navigate with caution while operating in this area.

*Not to be used for navigation

Jason Son
Maritime Officer
Harbourmaster’s Office

All mariners are advised that construction of the O Mahurangi Penlink River Bridge will commence mid-September 2023 with the installation of temporary platforms built on the western and eastern banks of the Weiti River to facilitate the construction of the permanent Weiti River bridge. Work will involve pile drilling, vibing and hammering into the seabed.

A barge will operate between the two staging platforms providing materials to the work sites through to December 2026.

Passage through the Weiti River Bridge Construction Zone will remain open to mariners, however Weiti River closures are expected during the finally stages of the project build. All river closures will be notified prior to the planned works. Mariners are requested to keep wake to a minimum when transiting through the bridge construction zone for the safety of construction staff.

*Not to be used for navigation.

Bruce Goff
Maritime Officer
Harbourmaster’s Office

All mariners are advised that a sandbank, which is North of the No.15 marker in Tāmaki River, is shoaling due to sand-building. Locations are identified as per below and the depth in the vicinity could be lower than charted depth.

All mariners are to navigate with additional caution while operating in this area.

*Not to be used for navigation.

Jason Son
Maritime Officer
Harbourmaster’s Office

The Harbourmaster has received reports of a submerged pile in the approaches to Tramcar Bay boat yard in the waters between Whangateau Harbour and Tramcar Bay.

All mariners are advised to navigate with extreme caution when operating in this area.

Not to be used for navigation.

Pulasthi Ranasinghe
Maritime Officer

All mariners are advised that the Department of Conservation has closed the Motuihe wharf due to public safety, the wharf will remain closed until further notice.

The Department is working closely with engineers to look at options available to remedy issues and re-open the wharf as soon as practicable.

The Department apologises for any inconvenience and will continue to keep the public informed as they seek solutions.

Updates will be provided on the DOC website and should you require further information, please contact the DOC hotline on 0800 362 468.

Map not to be used for navigation.

Pulasthi Ranasinghe
Maritime Officer

All mariners are advised to navigate with caution in the vicinity of the Hobson Bay and Okahu Bay derelict wave screen. Mariners are reminded that they should only navigate through the recognised entry or exit (as per chart NZ 5322).

Map not to be used for navigation.

Christiaan Moss
Deputy Harbourmaster

All Mariners are advised that a large tree has fallen into the upper reaches of the Wairoa River (20 July 2017), potentially impeding navigation.

GPS coordinates are:

• latitude 36°58’840
• longitude 175°02’655 

All mariners are advised to navigate with extreme caution in this area.

The map is not to be used for navigation.

Bruce Goff
Maritime Officer

All mariners are reminded that electronic chart plotters are to be used as an aid to navigation and paper charts should be updated and consulted.

Electronic raster charts used on some plotters may not incorporate the latest chart corrections.

Mariners are reminded to use up to date charts for navigation and advised to contact their plotter supplier if in doubt.

Harbourmaster’s Office