Rules and regulations
It is important that all vessel owners know the rules and regulations governing the harbours, and any notices or directions to mariners. These have been devised to ensure harbours and channels are clear and open to navigation, and safe for all users.
Navigation Safety Bylaw 2008
Accident and Incident reporting
Patrol vessels
Auckland Harbour restricted areas
Port and Harbour Safety Code
Commercial and large recreational vessels
Harbourmaster directions
Navigation safety operating requirements
Bunkering procedures and notification
Hot work operations and notification
Notices to Mariners
Navigation Safety Bylaw 2008
The 2008 Navigational Safety Bylaw is for all navigable waters (including inland lakes) within the Auckland region.
All harbour users should be aware of the bylaw and the rules governing the navigational safety of all craft and persons within the Auckland region.
Navigation Safety Bylaw 2008 (411kb)
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Accident and Incident Reporting
You are obliged to report any accident or incident.
Please contact Maritime New Zealand
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Patrol vessels
Our Harbourmaster patrol vessels conduct frequent patrols to enforce navigation safety bylaws.
People who infringe bylaws (by anchoring in the commercial channel, exceeding 5 knots within 200m of the shore, etc) may face a fine.
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Auckland Harbour restricted areas
There are restrictions on some areas of the harbour. View the map below to find out more.
Auckland Harbour restricted areas map (1.2mb)
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Port and Harbour Safety Code
A copy of the report, approved by Maritime New Zealand and adopted by Auckland Council is available by contacting us.
Email: harbourmaster@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
More information on the Port and Harbour Safety Code can be found on the
Maritime New Zealand website
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Commercial and large recreational vessels
The Auckland Council Harbourmaster has responsibility for overall harbour management. The commercial port, run by Ports of Auckland Ltd (PoAL), is the major player in terms of this management function.
The movement and operation of commercial and large recreational vessels is subject to requirements which may place responsibilities on them or vessels navigating near to them. Owners and Masters of these vessels should contact the Harbourmaster’s office prior to arrival in the regions water.
Port facility operators, such as the Ports of Auckland Ltd, 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 prior to arrival.
Visit the Ports of Auckland website
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Harbourmaster directions
HM Direction - Pilotage (92kb)
HM Direction - Quarantine anchorage (389kb)
HM Direction - Vessel operating criteria (25kb)
HM Direction - Downtown ferry terminal basin (388kb)
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Navigation safety operating requirements
These requirements set out the practices and procedures for various locations and circumstances.
Tamaki River (200kb)
Operation of a superyacht in the Auckland region (998kb)
Auckland Downtown Ferry Terminal area (756kb)
Auckland pilotage area tug and towing operations (382kb)
Operation of vessels during periods of restricted visibility (754kb)
Operation of Emergency Response Vessels within Auckland (552kb)
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Bunkering procedures and notification
Commercial operations that provide bunkers or discharge sludge/waste oil within the Auckland region are to notify the Harbourmaster's office prior to transfer.
The procedures and notification form are below. Notification can be emailed to the Harbourmaster's office.
Email: harbourmaster@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Bunkering notification procedure (106kb)
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Hot work operations and notification
The Master of any vessel within the Auckland or Manukau pilotage area must notify the Harbourmaster prior to undertaking any welding or flame cutting operations onboard. This notification must be given at least 2 hours before commencing any work.
Full details of the requirements for notification and the process to follow are provided in the document below.
Hot work notification procedure (68kb)
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Notices to Mariners
Notices to Mariners cover events, local issues and infrastructure issues that may affect navigation in the Auckland region.
Notices to Mariners currently in force
Notice to Mariners 06-12 - Harbour Bridge maintenance works (643kb)
Weekly Navigation Warning Summary
7 May 2012 (128kb)
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