Moorings Moorings

Mooring sites are located within Mooring Management Areas throughout the Auckland region. Auckland Transport (AT) grants an annual mooring licence to boat owners, allowing occupancy of a mooring (annual fees apply).

Moorings and zone map

• Mooring Management Areas in Auckland
• Types of moorings and annual fees
• Mooring hardware specifications
• Buying or renting a mooring
• Information for mooring owners:
• Selling or renting your mooring
• Transferring ownership of your mooring
• Rules for mooring license holders
• Mooring inspections
• Mooring service providers
• Having a new mooring laid within a mooring management area
• Cancellation of mooring site licence
• Pirating - unauthorised occupation of a mooring
• Boating facilities

For all mooring enquiries, please contact the Harbourmaster's office.

Mooring Management Areas in Auckland

Mooring Management Areas (MMA) are locations where mooring is permitted in the Auckland.

There are 78 Mooring Management Areas (MMA) in the Auckland region. View the full list of Auckland Mooring Management Areas.

Types of moorings

Annual mooring fees

You need to pay an annual fee to be able to moor your vessel within MMAs in the Auckland region.

Get annual fees for moorings

Mooring hardware specifications

Single weight moorings

Bridle moorings

Buying or renting a mooring

If you are looking to buy or rent an existing mooring, you'll need to ensure that the mooring is suitable for your vessel. When purchasing, be aware of the mooring price. It is for the hardware only, not the site.

Contact the Harbourmaster's office with the mooring number or mooring owner's details and we can provide necessary information about:

• Mooring location.
• Construction of the mooring.
• Last inspection date.
• Type and size vessel the mooring site is permitted for.
• Price estimate.

Note:

• You can only rent a mooring for a maximum of 6 months with Harbourmaster approval.
• You cannot rent/sublease a mooring in a waiting list area.
• When purchasing in a waiting list area, the mooring can only be sold to the next person on the waiting list.
• When purchasing, you must complete the transfer certificate and send it to the Harbourmaster's office. Payment of the $61 transfer fee and a photo of the vessel are required.
• Note: vessels cannot exceed 15 metres. 

Find moorings for sale or rent:

• Moorings for sale and rent page.
• Trade Me.
• The marine section of the New Zealand Herald.
• Notice boards at local boat clubs.
• Local newspapers.

Waiting lists

There are waiting lists for some mooring areas:

A mooring in a waiting list area can only be sold to the waiting list. You cannot rent/sublease a mooring in a waiting list area. 

For availability or to be added to a waiting list, contact the Harbourmaster's office with your name, address, and vessel details.

Mooring owners

Selling or renting your mooring

AT provides a free listing service for moorings available for sale or rent.

You must notify us when you rent your mooring and when it is vacated. All rentals must be approved by the Harbourmaster’s office.

For current mooring listings, how to list your own mooring and information on selling or renting your mooring, see Moorings for sale and rent.

Transferring ownership of your mooring

Once your mooring has sold, you will need to send us a completed mooring transfer certificate, signed by both parties, along with the $61 transfer fee and a photo of the new owner's vessel. 

The photo can be sent by hardcopy or electronically to moorings@at.govt.nz

Download:

Mooring transfer certificate (PDF 54KB)

Send your completed transfer certificate to:

• Email: moorings@at.govt.nz
• Post: Harbourmaster's office, Auckland Transport, Private Bag 92250, Auckland 1142

Mooring transfer fee payment options:

• Cheque or money order made payable to Auckland Transport.
• Harbourmaster's Office, Auckland Marine Rescue Centre, 3 Solent Street, Mechanics Bay.
• Internet or phone banking, or deposit at any Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) branch:
  • Account number: 02 0192 0122888 03
  • Reference: 50006589 and your name.

Rules for mooring license holders

• The mooring license holder may not assign, transfer or sublease the mooring site unless authorised and approved by the Harbourmaster. 
• You must not occupy anyone else's mooring unless you have prior approval from the mooring owner and permission from the Harbourmaster's office.
• You cannot rent/sublease a mooring in a waiting list area.
• You must notify the Harbourmaster in writing if you wish to change the boat specified on the mooring licence.  
• The vessel on the mooring must comply with the terms and conditions of the mooring licence.
• If your mooring site is to be unoccupied for a period greater than six months, written approval is required by the Harbourmaster. Due to high demand for moorings in some mooring areas, the mooring must be used on a regular basis. If a site is not used for six months or more, the licence could be revoked. Written notification is sent out prior to the licence being revoked.
• The mooring site number must be clearly marked on the mooring buoy.
• The mooring licence holder is responsible for vessel seaworthiness.
• You must maintain your mooring hardware in a safe and efficient condition. The mooring tackle should be checked and serviced on a two or three year cycle. The Harbourmaster will request a mooring inspection certificate from the mooring licence holder, to be obtained from a mooring service provider. This requires the mooring tackle to be lifted and every component checked and inspected.
• You must notify the Harbourmaster if you change your postal address or contact details.
• See Navigation Safety Bylaw.

You can also wash the hull of your vessel regularly to minimise the risk of the Mediterrieam Fanworm.

More information about marine pest management is available on the Ministry of Primary Industries website.

Mooring inspections

All moorings must be maintained in a safe and efficient condition.

You will be reminded six months before your mooring is due for its two or three yearly mooring inspection. This allows enough time to book with a mooring service provider so that it is inspected before the due date.

When inspected, if the condition of the mooring is acceptable, a mooring inspection certificate will be issued (much like a vehicle warrant of fitness).

The most common cause of mooring failure is lack of maintenance. Please check your mooring regularly.

Book your inspection in plenty of time

Mooring contractors have a lot of moorings to inspect. They also have to work around weather and tidal conditions. Make sure you book your inspection when requested, to minimise delays.

Mooring service providers

Having a new mooring laid within a mooring management area

Contact the Harbourmaster's office with your preferred area(s). Please provide Harbourmaster staff with your vessel details so that we can advise which areas and mooring sites are available. Note: vessels cannot exceed 15 metres.

Subject to approval, a mooring licence may be issued. You can then make arrangements with a mooring service provider to lay a mooring at the allocated site.

If the mooring you'd like is not within a Mooring Management Area, you will have to apply for a resource consent.

Cancellation of mooring site licence

If you wish to cancel your mooring licence:

Let us know in writing:

• Email: moorings@at.govt.nz
• Post: Harbourmaster's office, Auckland Transport, Private Bag 92250, Auckland 1142.

Return your invoice:

Alternatively, return your mooring annual fees invoice. Include written notification on the invoice that you wish to cancel the licence. Your signature is required.

The mooring licence holder is responsible for the removal of the mooring hardware.

Pirating - unauthorised occupation of a mooring

If a vessel is occupying your mooring and is not authorised to do so, please contact the Harbourmaster's office in the first instance.

Boating facilities

AT and the Harbourmaster's office does not own or operate marine facilities.

If you have a query, please contact the facility owner directly. This may be a marina company or boating club.

Marinas

Pile moorings