Moorings
Mooring sites are located within Mooring Management Areas throughout the Auckland region.
Auckland Council grants an annual mooring permit to you as a boat owner allowing occupancy of a mooring.
Moorings in Auckland.
Types of moorings
Mooring Management Areas
Annual fees
Rules
Inspections
Contractors
How do I buy or rent an existing mooring?
Having a new mooring laid
How do I sell or rent out a mooring?
Waiting lists
Cancellation of mooring site permits
Pirating - unauthorised occupation of a mooring
All other mooring enquiries
Types of moorings
Marinas
The Harbourmaster does not administer marinas.
View a list of Auckland marinas on the contacts page
Pile moorings
The Auckland Council owns and leases pile mooring berths at:
- Te Atatu (Whau River)
- Panmure (Tamaki River)
- Sandspit (Matakana River).
There is a waiting list for pile moorings in these areas.
To enquire about availability or be added to the waiting list, contact the Harbourmaster's office with your name, address and vessel details.
Email: moorings@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Phone: 09 362 0397
Swing moorings
Most swing moorings are privately owned and are administered by the Harbourmaster's office.
View the moorings for sale and rent page
Contact the Harbourmaster’s office to ensure the mooring is suitable for your vessel before purchasing or renting. Alternatively, if space is available within the area you require, the Harbourmaster's office can assist by allocating a site. You will need to make arrangements with an approved mooring contractor to install appropriate mooring hardware (at your cost).
A waiting list may apply within some mooring areas. Please contact the Harbourmaster's office.
Email: moorings@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Phone: 09 362 0397
Other moorings
If you wish to establish a mooring outside of a Mooring Management Area (MMA), then you will need to apply for a resource consent. Contact the Harbourmaster's office for more information.
Email: moorings@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Phone: 09 362 0397
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Mooring Management Areas
There are 70 Mooring Management Areas (MMA) where mooring is permitted in the Auckland region. The Harbourmaster's office administers mooring areas to ensure that the space is used most effectively and the boats are suitably positioned within the areas.
View a list of Mooring Management Areas (63kb)
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Annual fees
The Auckland Council charges a mooring annual fee for the administration of mooring sites within Mooring Management Areas.
You need to pay the annual fee to be able to moor within mooring management areas in the Auckland region.
The mooring annual fee period is from 1 July to 30 June.
View the schedule of fees (113kb)
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Rules
- The mooring permit 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 permit.
- The vessel on the mooring must comply with the terms and conditions of the mooring permit.
- If your mooring site is to be unoccupied for a period greater than 6 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 6 months or more, the permit 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 permit 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 regular basis. The Harbourmaster will request a mooring inspection certificate from the mooring permit holder, to be obtained from an Auckland Council approved mooring contractor. 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.
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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 contractor so that it is inspected before the due date.
When inspected, if the condition of the mooring is acceptable, a two or three year 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 for chafing etc.
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.
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Mooring contractors
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How do I buy or rent an existing 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.
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.
Please note:
- You can only rent a mooring for a maximum of six months.
- You cannot rent/sublease a mooring in a waiting list area
To find a mooring for sale or rent:
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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
Subject to your approval, a mooring permit will be issued. You can then make arrangements with an Auckland Council approved mooring contractor for a mooring to be laid 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
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How do I sell or rent out a mooring?
The Auckland Council provides a free listing service for moorings available for sale or rent.
You must notify the Council when you rent your mooring and when it is vacated.
For current mooring listings, how to list your own mooring and information on selling or renting your mooring go to:
Moorings for sale and rent
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Waiting lists
There are waiting lists for some mooring areas. For availability or to be added to a waiting list, contact the Harbourmaster's office with your name, address and vessel details.
Email: moorings@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Phone: 09 362 0397
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Cancellation of mooring site permits
If you wish to cancel your mooring permit:
Let us know in writing:
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 permit holder is responsible for the removal of the mooring hardware.
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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.
Phone: 09 362 0397
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All other mooring enquiries
For all other mooring enquiries please contact the Harbourmaster's Office.
Email: moorings@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Phone: 09 362 0397
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