Harbourmaster's office Te tari o te Kaiarataki o te Moana
The Harbourmaster's Office is responsible for maritime safety in the Auckland region's harbours and waterways.
On this page
Contacting the Harbourmaster's office
Email the Harbourmaster's office or call if urgent 09 362 0397 to speak to a duty officer available 24 hours.
The Harbourmaster's office can be contacted for assistance or information about:
- harbour emergencies including accidents and incidents
- enforcement of the Navigation Bylaw
- marine oil spills
- marine safety issues including dangerous boating
- reports of illegal anchoring
- reserved areas
- damage to buoys and beacons
- navigation hazards of large items of litter or debris floating in the water, within the 12 nautical mile limit.
Harbourmaster team responsibilities
The Harbourmaster team is responsible for:
- carrying out regular patrols to ensure harbour users know the rules and follow the Navigation Bylaw
- maintaining navigation aids, lights and beacons around the region
- maintaining safe boating signage at local boat ramps
- removing hazards, such as large logs and fallen trees from local waterways, when appropriate
- responding to marine oil spill events
- manage swing and pile moorings
- ensuring aquatic events do not clash or pose undue navigation or safety risks to other users
- disposing of abandoned vessels.
Who to contact for other issues
Lost or stolen property
Lost or found dinghies or kayaks — call Police Maritime Unit on 0800 10 28 35.
Theft from vessels — call New Zealand Police on 105.
Structures and facilities
Wharves and jetties — contact Auckland Transport for ferry wharves or Auckland Council for public wharves.
Dinghy lockers — email lockers@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.
Swim pontoons — call Auckland Council Community Facilities on 09 301 0101.
Environmental issues
Biosecurity rules related to hull inspections — email cleanhull@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.
Small floating debris — email network@seacleaners.com.
Vessel emissions or stormwater overflow — report pollution to Auckland Council.
Rāhui information — email rahui@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.
Noise and wildlife
Noise from vessels — contact Auckland Council Noise Control.
Cruise ship noise — contact Port of Auckland.
Illegal fishing, such as set nets — report to Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
Marine mammals — report sightings to Department of Conservation (DOC).
Pest-free warrant
Harbourmaster’s Office holds a Pest-free Warrant. We meet Department of Conservation (DOC) and Auckland Council’s biosecurity standards for visiting islands in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. Learn more about visiting the Hauraki Gulf islands.