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Moorings Moorings

Mooring sites are located within mooring zones throughout the Auckland region. Auckland Transport (AT) grants an annual mooring licence to boat owners, allowing occupancy of a mooring (annual fees apply). Swing moorings are privately owned but the Harbourmaster’s Office manages their placement and safety.

Mooring zones in Auckland

Mooring zones are locations where permanent mooring is permitted in Auckland.

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

Types of moorings

Pile moorings

Auckland Transport owns and leases pile mooring berths at:

  • Te Atatu (Whau River)
  • Panmure (Tamaki River)
  • Sandspit (Matakana River)

A waiting list may apply within some mooring areas. Check areas with a waiting list.

Swing moorings

Swing moorings and their locations in designated mooring areas are administered by the Harbourmaster’s office with the hardware privately owned.

When considering a mooring contact the Harbourmaster’s office to ensure the mooring is suitable for your vessel before purchasing or renting. See moorings for sale and rent.

Alternatively, if space is available within the area you desire, the Harbourmaster's office may allocate a site. Note: vessels cannot exceed 15 metres.

You will need to make arrangements with an approved mooring service provider to install appropriate mooring hardware (at your cost).

A waiting list may apply within some mooring areas. Check areas with a waiting list.

If you wish to establish a mooring outside a mooring area then you will need to apply for a resource consent.

Marinas

The Harbourmaster does not administer marinas. You will need to contact the marina directly.

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

The majority of moorings in the Auckland region are single weight moorings. The components are common but the size and weight varies depending on the length of the vessel the mooring is constructed for. In general there is a weight on the seafloor anchoring the mooring in position, common weights are old railway wheels or forklift counterweights. Heavy bottom chain that can wear on the seafloor as tide levels change and flow directions alternate.

Second chain is strength without excessive weight up to the top rope, this should always be suspended in the water column at all states of tide when mooring in use. Top rope is the link between second chain and the vessel moored, usually with a spliced eye for securing over the bollard. The top rope can be replaced by a top chain where a mooring hook is used from the vessel into a ring on the top chain. Buoy rope is attached to the top rope or chain and buoy that marks the mooring on the water surface, the buoy rope is never to be used to secure the vessel to the mooring.

All moorings experience wear and you should expect to replace some components every two or three yearly inspection. 

For variations to the specifications liaise with the Harbourmasters office.

Up to 6 meters

Item Size Length
A Buoy rope 12mm Max tide
A Buoy chain 6mm Max tide
A Buoy shackle 8mm N/A
B Top chain 12.5mm 0.5m < L/T
B Top rope 24mm 0.5m < L/T
C Link or shackle 20mm N/A
C Swivel 19mm N/A
D Link or shackle 16mm N/A
E Second chain 16mm 4.5m
F Link or shackle 24mm N/A
G Bottom chain 32mm 4m
H Shackle to weight 32mm N/A
I Weights 400kg N/A

6 to 8 meters

Item Size Length
A Buoy rope 16mm Max tide
A Buoy chain 6mm Max tide
A Buoy shackle 10mm N/A
B Top chain 12.5mm 0.5m < L/T
B Top rope 24mm 0.5m < L/T
C Link or shackle 20mm N/A
C Swivel 22mm N/A
D Link or shackle 20mm N/A
E Second chain 16/20mm 4.5m
F Link or shackle 24mm N/A
G Bottom chain 32mm 4.5m
H Shackle to weight 32mm N/A
I Weights 600kg N/A

8 to 10 meters

Item Size Length
A Buoy rope 16mm Max tide
A Buoy chain 8mm Max tide
A Buoy shackle 10mm N/A
B Top chain 12.5mm 0.5m < L/T
B Top rope 28mm 0.5m < L/T
C Link or shackle 20mm N/A
C Swivel 25mm N/A
D Link or shackle 20mm N/A
E Second chain 20mm 4.5m
F Link or shackle 24mm N/A
G Bottom chain 32mm 5m
H Shackle to weight 32mm N/A
I Weights 800kg N/A

10 to 12 meters

Item Size Length
A Buoy rope 20mm Max tide
A Buoy chain 10mm Max tide
A Buoy shackle 20mm N/A
B Top chain 16mm 0.5m < L/T
B Top rope 32mm 0.5m < L/T
C Link or shackle 20mm N/A
C Swivel 25mm N/A
D Link or shackle 20mm N/A
E Second chain 20mm 4.5m
F Link or shackle 24mm N/A
G Bottom chain 38mm 5.5m
H Shackle to weight 38mm N/A
I Weights 1,000kg N/A

12 to 15 meters

Item Size Length
A Buoy rope 20mm Max tide
A Buoy chain 10mm Max tide
A Buoy shackle 8mm N/A
B Top chain 20mm 0.5m < L/T
B Top rope 40mm 0.5m < L/T
C Link or shackle 24mm N/A
C Swivel 32mm N/A
D Link or shackle 24mm N/A
E Second chain 24mm 5.5m
F Link or shackle 32mm N/A
G Bottom chain 38mm 10m
H Shackle to weight 38mm N/A
I Weights 1,500kg N/A

Bridle moorings

Bridle moorings consist of two weights spread apart on the seafloor and come together at bottom chain. These are used in depths of less than 2m DLWS.

6 to 8 meters

Item Size Length
A Buoy rope 16mm 7m
A Buoy chain 6mm 7m
B Buoy shackle 10mm N/A
C Top chain 12.5mm 3.6m
D Link or shackle 20mm N/A
E Swivel 22mm N/A
F Link or shackle 20mm N/A
G Second chain 16/20mm 3.6m
H Link or shackle 20mm N/A
I Bottom chain 20mm 3.6m
J Ring or shackle 24mm N/A
K Bridle chain 24mm 12m
L Shackles to weight 24mm N/A
M Weights 355kg each N/A

8 to 10 meters

Item Size Length
A Buoy rope 16mm 7m
A Buoy chain 8mm 7m
B Buoy shackle 10mm N/A
C Top chain 12.5mm 3.6m
D Link or shackle 20mm N/A
E Swivel 25mm N/A
F Link or shackle 20mm N/A
G Second chain 16/20mm 3.6m
H Link or shackle 24mm N/A
I Bottom chain 24mm 3.6m
J Ring or shackle 24mm N/A
K Bridle chain 32mm 12m
L Shackles to weight 32mm N/A
M Weights 460kg each N/A

10 to 12 meters

Item Size Length
A Buoy rope 20mm 7m
A Buoy chain 10mm 7m
B Buoy shackle 20mm N/A
C Top chain 16mm 3.6m
D Link or shackle 20mm N/A
E Swivel 25mm N/A
F Link or shackle 24mm N/A
G Second chain 20mm 3.6m to 4.5m
H Link or shackle 24mm N/A
I Bottom chain 24mm 3.6m to 4.5m
J Ring or shackle 32mm N/A
K Bridle chain 32mm 12m
L Shackles to weight 32mm N/A
M Weights 600kg each N/A

12 to 15 meters

Item Size Length
A Buoy rope 20mm 7m
A Buoy chain 10mm 7m
B Buoy shackle 20mm N/A
C Top chain 20mm 3.6m
D Link or shackle 34mm N/A
E Swivel 32mm N/A
F Link or shackle 24mm N/A
G Second chain 24mm 5.4m
H Link or shackle 32mm N/A
I Bottom chain 32mm 5.4m
J Ring or shackle 32mm N/A
K Bridle chain 38mm 12m
L Shackles to weight 38mm N/A
M Weights 1,000kg each N/A

Buying or renting a mooring

Where to find moorings for sale or rent

When deciding to buy or rent an existing mooring

  • You will need to ensure that the mooring is suitable for your vessel. Please note, vessels cannot exceed 15 metres.
  • Be aware of the mooring price when purchasing, it is for the hardware only, not the site.
  • There are conditions for moorings in a waiting list area.
  • When purchasing, you must transfer the ownership of the mooring.
  • You can only rent a mooring for a maximum of 6 months with Harbourmaster approval.

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 and price estimate. Contact the Harbourmaster's office with the mooring number or mooring owner's details.

Waiting list areas

You need to know

  • A mooring in a waiting list area can only be sold to the next person on the waiting list.
  • You cannot rent/sublease a mooring in a waiting list area.
  • To be added to a waiting list or check availability, email the Harbourmaster's office with your name, address, and vessel details.

Swing moorings

  • Kawau Island
  • Leigh
  • Omaha
  • Ti Point
  • Sandspit
  • Weiti River
  • Matiatia
  • Rakino Island.

Pile moorings

  • Panmure
  • Sandspit.

Information for Mooring owners

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Selling or renting your mooring

Find out what you need to know about selling or renting your mooring in Auckland.

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Transferring ownership of your mooring

Find out about transferring the ownership of your mooring once it has been sold.

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Apply for a new mooring site

How to apply to have a new mooring laid within a mooring zone.

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Mooring licence

Learn about the rules for mooring site licence holders or how to cancel your mooring licence.

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Mooring inspections & service providers

Find out about mooring inspections and see a list of mooring service providers.

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

Location Contact
Bayswater
21 Sir Peter Blake Parade		 Bayswater Marina
Phone: 09 446 1600
Gulf Harbour
895 Laurie Southwick Parade		 Gulf Harbour Marina
Phone: 09 424 6200
Half Moon Bay
50 Argo Drive		 Half Moon Bay Marina
Phone: 09 534 3139
Hobsonville
18 Clearwater Cove, West Harbour		 Hobsonville Marina
Phone: 09 416 7447
Outboard Boating Club
7 Tamaki Drive, Orakei		 Outboard Boating Club
Phone: 09 522 0774
Orakei
Pier D, 12-14 Tamaki Drive, Orakei		 Orakei Marina
Phone: 09 524 8444
Pine Harbour
190 Jack Lacklan Drive		 Pine Harbour Marina
Phone: 09 536 4720
Westhaven
137 Westhaven Drive		 Westhaven Marina
Phone: 09 360 5870

Pile moorings

Location Contact
Bayswater
21 Sir Peter Blake Parade		 Bayswater Marina
Phone: 09 446 1600
Westhaven
137 Westhaven Drive		 Westhaven Marina
Phone: 09 360 5870