Te tono ki tētahi Wārati Kīrearea Kore Apply for a Pest-free Warrant

All commercial transport operators need a Pest-free Warrant to visit the Hauraki Gulf Islands. Find out why and how you can apply.​

Under the Regional Pest Management Plan 2020–2030, all commercial transport operators must have a Pest-free Warrant (PFW) to visit the Hauraki Gulf Islands. This helps to protect the islands from harmful pests including:

• weeds
• seeds
• plant pathogens like kauri dieback disease.

A PFW ensures commercial vessels, tourism operators and aircraft visiting islands included in the Hauraki Gulf Controlled Area Notice meet biosecurity Measures taken to protect people, natural resources, plants and animals against potentially harmful species and diseases from other countries. standards.

This includes any vessels or aircraft that:

• anchor within one nautical mile of a Hauraki Gulf Island
• dock at a wharf on a Hauraki Gulf Island
• land on a Hauraki Gulf Island.

Hovering over land is considered the same as landing.

For more information about the Hauraki Gulf Controlled Area Notice, go to Visiting the Hauraki Gulf islands.

Benefits of a PFW

Having a PFW will:

• show your commitment to protecting our environment, animals and plants from harmful pests and diseases
• help prevent invasive pests Animals, insects or plants that do not naturally belong in an area and cause harm to the environment and native species when they spread. spreading to the islands
• allow you to use the PFW logo to show your commitment to biosecurity and environmental sustainability
• support your application for a Department of Conservation (DOC) concession permit when you land on a DOC island
• add your business to a list of biosecurity-conscious operators that meet DOC and Auckland Council's biosecurity standards for visiting islands in the Hauraki Gulf.

What the PFW assesses

The PFW assesses:

• how well you apply biosecurity measures
• how you communicate biosecurity requirements to customers
• the measures you have in place to prevent taking pests to the islands.

How to get a warrant

Check if you are eligible

Find out if you need a PFW and what the assessment process involves.  

Apply online

Use our application form to:

• apply for a new warrant
• renew an existing warrant
• update your details.

Email pestfreewarrants@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz with your completed form.

Application form

Training and support

Authorised Auckland Council and DOC biosecurity advisors provide free support to help your business meet biosecurity standards. This can include:

• checks of your customers and vessels by pest detection dogs
• in-house training sessions.

Learn about high-risk items

High-risk items include, but are not limited to:

• soil and compost
• plants
• freshwater fish
• camping equipment
• building supplies.

Visit Transporting high-risk items to the Hauraki Gulf islands:

• to find out how to make sure you do not carry goods or items that can harm local wildlife and the natural environment
• for a full list of high-risk items.

Other permits you might need

You might need other permits for commercial activities on DOC-managed public conservation land.

Concession permit

This DOC permit allows you to carry out commercial activities like:

• guided walks on public conservation land
• kayaking
• jet skiing.

You also need a Pest-free Warrant for most DOC concession permits on the Hauraki Gulf Islands.

Wharf-use permit

A wharf-use permit allows commercial boat operators to use DOC-managed wharves in the Hauraki Gulf. You will also need a PFW for this.

Pest-free Partner programme

This programme is designed for businesses which transport materials, plants or equipment to the Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana islands.

If your business supplies high-risk goods to the islands, you can still join the Pest-free Partner programme even if you do not need a PFW.

More information

For more information about pest control in the Hauraki Gulf, you can:

• watch the Hauraki Gulf - Pest Control video
• find out more about Visiting the Hauraki Gulf islands
• visit Marine pests explained to learn about marine pests like exotic Caulerpa seaweed
• use our Pest search to find out about different pests and how to control them.