Harbour rules and regulations Ngā ture me ngā waeture mō te whanga

Navigation Bylaw 2021

The Navigation Bylaw 2021 as of 14 August 2021. The Navigation Bylaw is an Auckland Council bylaw.

Download Navigation Bylaw 2021 (PDF, 9.9MB)

Accident and incident reporting

You must report any accident, incident or serious harm injury (legally defined as a "mishap") to Harbourmaster and Maritime New Zealand as soon as possible.

Find out how to report any accident or incident.

Auckland Harbour restricted areas

There are restrictions on some areas of the harbour, such as:

• no anchoring
• speed restriction areas
• no entry areas, such as Defence or Port security and customs areas.

Download map of the Auckland Harbour restricted areas map (PDF, 3.4MB)

Find out more details about speed restrictions and other responsibilities being on the water.

Port and Harbour Safety Code

If you want a copy of the report, approved by Maritime New Zealand and adopted by Auckland Transport, email the Harbourmaster's office.

You can find more information on the Port and Harbour Safety Code on the Maritime New Zealand website.

Harbour safety policy

Auckland Transport (AT) will carry out and oversee marine operations in the Waitematā and Manukau harbours. These operations will be managed in a way that protects the harbours, their users, and the environment.

The harbour safety policy will:

• use the New Zealand Port and Harbour Safety Code and its guidelines as a standard by which the regional council is measured and measures itself
• ensure that the relevant assets of the harbour are managed safely
• enforce bylaws and harbourmaster directions appropriately
• ensure that staff are properly trained for emergencies and contingencies
• identify measures to address conflicts of interest
• adequately resource management of port and harbour navigation safety.

The Auckland Council Port and Harbour Safety Policy, Health and Safety, and environmental policies are supported by Port of Auckland policies.

AT commits to implementing the requirements of the New Zealand Port and Harbour Safety Code supported by Port of Auckland and the New Zealand Navy.

Commercial and large recreational vessels

The Auckland Transport (AT) Harbourmaster is responsible for overall harbour management.

The commercial port, run by Port of Auckland is the major player in terms of this management function.

The movement and operation of commercial and large recreational vessels are subject to requirements. These requirements may place responsibilities on them or vessels navigating near to them.

All foreign-flagged vessels 40 metres and over must pay an annual Navigation and Safety Fee. This applies if they plan to anchor or use dynamic positioning in Auckland waters. Some exceptions do apply.

Port facility operators, such as the Port of Auckland, are responsible for the operation of wharves and facilities they own or operate.

The master of a vessel wishing to use a commercial wharf should contact the facility operator before they arrive.

Visit the Port of Auckland website.

Harbourmaster directions

Vessel operating requirements

This direction ensures that vessels manoeuvring within a pilotage area can be navigated safely. It aims to prevent any adverse effects on the safety of navigation.

Download Direction 2-20 Vessel Operating Requirements (PDF, 137KB)

Downtown ferry terminal basin

This direction aims to set down periods when large ship arrivals or tug use in the Downtown Ferry Terminal Basin cause concern. It also aims to prohibit, restrict this activity. The direction also sets out a clear procedure for the testing or use of any propulsion or manoeuvring equipment of large vessel within the basin.

Download Harbourmaster’s Direction 1-24 Downtown Ferry (PDF, 161KB)

Pilotage

This direction contains the requirements for the compulsory pilotage areas within the Auckland region. This direction updates and supersedes previous Harbourmaster Directions 1-07.

Download Harbourmaster Direction 3-20 Pilotage (PDF, 325KB)

Navigation safety operating requirements

These requirements set out the practices and procedures for various locations and circumstances.

Tamaki River

Download Tamaki river safety operating requirements (PDF, 665KB)

Operation of a superyacht in the Auckland region

Download Operation of a superyacht in the Auckland region (PDF, 746KB)

Auckland pilotage area tug and towing operations

Download Auckland pilotage area tug and towing operations (PDF, 245KB)

Operation of vessels during periods of restricted visibility

Download Operation of vessels during periods of restricted visibility (PDF, 1.1 MB)

Operation of emergency response vessels within Auckland

Download Operation of emergency response vessels within Auckland (PDF, 640KB)

Bunkering procedures and notification

Commercial operators that provide bunkers or discharge sludge, waste oil within the Auckland region need to notify the Harbourmaster's office 24 hours before the transfer.

This is to ensure an adequate level of safety and planning in the execution of fuel oil operations and bunkering.

Fuel oil operations and the bunkering notification procedure

Ensure the Harbourmaster's office is aware of oil transfers and bunkering operations within the Auckland region. Notify them using one of 2 options.

Fill out the Oil transfer or bunkering notification form online.

Or you can download the bunkering transfer notification form (PDF, 213KB). Fill it out and email it to the Harbourmaster's office.

Hot work operations and notification

The person in charge of a vessel must take all precautions for the detection, prevention, and extinguishing of fire on board the vessel.

This includes all other areas affected as a result of the hot work operations.

Before commencement of any hot work, the person in charge of a vessel must obtain written approval.

The approval must be from the owner, or manager, of the facility at which the work is to be conducted. All hot work operations must comply with relevant codes of practice. 

Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers can be viewed online or downloaded from the United Kingdom government website. This is an example of a relevant code of practice.

Audits of hot work operations may be undertaken by the Harbourmaster. If the Harbourmaster is not satisfied adequate precautions have been taken, operations may be forbidden to commence or continue.

Diving operations

The person in charge of a vessel must ensure that they take all precautions in relation to diving or commercial diving operations.

All dive vessels shall:

• display code flag Alpha
• operate commercial diving in accordance with WorkSafe New Zealand occupational diving guidelines
• contact the Harbourmasters office if diving operations taking place are impacting safe navigation of vessels.

Pilot Exemption Certificates

Maritime New Zealand issue Pilot Exemption Certificates (PEC). The Harbourmaster is delegated by them to carry out PEC examinations and to keep local records.

Learn more about how to obtain a PEC.

Weather information

For up-to-date weather information, visit MetService website. You can also check the Coastguard NowCasting weather information VHF channels.