Visitor Information

The following information is designed to assist vessels visiting New Zealand with the New Zealand Customs Service and Ministry of Primary Industries/Border Clearance (MPI) arrival and departure formalities. Compliance with these procedures will ensure that the border entry and departure requirements for you and your craft are completed efficiently and with the minimum of delay.

Arrival Notification Prior to arrival, the Master of every vessel is required to give 48 hours notice of the expected port of entry and estimated time of arrival to the New Zealand Customs Service and MPI Biosecurity New Zealand (MPIBNZ). Full information on providing this notice of arrival is available HERE . When nearing New Zealand, contact can be made by calling Maritime radio on SSB 4125Khz or VHF Ch 16. If there are any changes to your ETA, the radio operator will be able to notify New Zealand Customs Service and MPIBNZ officials so they can prepare for your arrival.

You should also endeavor to confirm your arrival as you approach the port of entry. This may be done by VHF radio through Taupo Maritime Radio, which maintains repeater VHF stations along the coast. Alternatively, local port authority radio stations can also forward an arrival confirmation. Code flag “Q” should be flown as soon as your vessel enters New Zealand’s Territorial waters. The arrival itself may be Visitors to New Zealand confirmed to the Port via VHF Channel 16, which is monitored continuously.

Ports of Entry

Vessels arriving from overseas should do so at a designated Port of Entry and secure at the appropriate Customs or Quarantine berth. The Tauranga / Mount Maunganui customs berth is located at the Tauranga Bridge Marina on the north western floating breakwater, 60 meters south of harbour channel marker number 8.

The North Island Ports of Entry are:

• Tauranga
• Whangarei
• Auckland
• Opua
• Wellington
• New Plymouth
• Napier
• Gisborne

The South Island Ports of Entry are:

• Nelson
• Picton
• Lyttelton
• Christchurch
• Timaru
• Dunedin
• Bluff
• Invercargill

Upon entering the harbour you must go directly to and tie up alongside the Quarantine where New Zealand Customs officers and MPI Biosecurity Inspectors will meet you.

Links that will be helpful before your arrival Ministry of Primary Industries and New Zealand Customs Service