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Check if you need prior approval

You must get prior approval to arrive at:

  • any port not listed on this page
  • any port listed on this page that is not approved to accept your type of vessel and/or the goods being unloaded.

Find out about how to get approval to arrive at a non-approved seaport

Note that your application will be declined if the port does not have:

  • appropriate facilities and arrangements in place to manage biosecurity risks associated with your vessel type or risk goods
  • facilities to safely manage your vessel (including boarding by MPI staff).

What you must do when arriving at a NZ seaport

All seacraft entering New Zealand must arrive at an approved place of first arrival (PoFA).

Requirements for bringing your vessel to New Zealand

Approved ports

Choose from this list

Northland

Opua Marine Park
Approved vessels Private recreational vessels (Opua Marina only), commercial passenger vessels (Waitangi berth only)
Approved cargo Passengers (non-fare paying passengers, crew, and baggage), live animals (cats and dogs to Opua Marina only)
Port contact (website) Bay of Islands Marina
MPI contact MQS.Northland@mpi.govt.nz

Marsden Cove Marina
Approved vessels Private recreational vessels only (yachts)
Approved cargo Passengers, crew, and their personal effects
Port contact (website) Marsden Cove Marina Ltd
MPI contact MPI Whangārei

Northport
Approved vessels Commercial vessels, commercial passenger vessels, defence force craft, private recreational vessels
Approved cargo Containers and general cargo, bulk cargo (non-approved systems), vehicles and machinery, passengers, crew and their personal effects
Port contact (website) Northport Ltd
MPI contact MPI Whangārei

Marsden Point Marine Terminal
Approved vessels Commercial vessels, defence force craft
Approved cargo Bulk cargo (non-approved systems) passengers, crew and their personal effects)
Port contact (website) Managed through Channel NZ
MPI contact MPI Whangārei

Auckland

Port of Auckland Limited
Approved vessels Bulk carriers, general cargo, naval/military, other craft (dredge, fishing, project), passenger, tankers, vehicle carriers
Approved cargo Bulk cargo, bulk liquid, containers, fresh produce (bulk), general cargo, passengers (fare and non-fare paying passengers, crew and baggage) and vehicles and machinery
Port contact (website) Ports of Auckland Ltd
MPI contact

Chelsea Port, Birkenhead
Approved vessels Commercial vessels (sugar only)
Approved cargo Bulk cargo (sugar only), passengers, crew and their personal effects
Port contact (website) New Zealand Sugar Refinery Ltd
MPI contact MPI Auckland Port

Devonport (Royal New Zealand Naval Base)
Approved vessels Defence force craft, commercial vessels
Approved cargo

Containers and general cargo, vehicles and machinery, passengers crew and their personal effects
Port contact (website) Royal New Zealand Navy  , Babcock
MPI contact MPI Auckland Port

Viaduct Marina
Approved vessels Super yachts only for specified clients only *bookings required
Approved cargo Passengers (non-fare paying passengers, crew, and baggage)
Port contact (website) Viaduct Marina
MPI contact

Silo Marina
Approved vessels Super yachts only for specified clients only *bookings required
Approved cargo Passengers (non-fare paying passengers, crew, and baggage)
Port contact (website) Silo Marina
MPI contact

Westhaven Marina
Approved vessels Private recreational only (yachts) *bookings required
Approved cargo Passengers (non-fare paying passengers, crew, and baggage)
Port contact (website) Westhaven Marina
MPI contact

Tauranga

Port of Tauranga
Approved vessels Commercial vessels, commercial passenger vessels, defence force craft
Approved cargo Containers and general cargo, bulk cargo (approved systems), bulk cargo (non-approved systems) passengers, crew and their personal effects, vehicles and machinery, fresh produce
Port contact (website) Port of Tauranga Ltd
MPI contact MPI Tauranga

Vessel Works Marine Precinct
Approved vessels

Commercial vessels, defence force craft, private recreational vessels (yachts and super yachts) *bookings required

Note: Vessels with bookings for PoFA berth only. Minimum 48h notice required.
Approved cargo Passengers, crew, and their personal effects
Port contact (website) Vessel Works  
MPI contact MPI Tauranga

Waikato (Taharoa)

Taharoa offshore buoy
Approved vessels Commercial vessels
Approved cargo Passengers (crew and baggage only)
MPI contact MPI Hamilton

Gisborne

Eastland Port
Approved vessels Commercial vessels, defence force craft, commercial passenger vessels
Approved cargo Passengers, crew and their personal effects
Port contact (website) Eastland Port Ltd
MPI contact MPI Gisborne

Napier

Napier Port
Approved vessels Commercial vessels, defence force craft, commercial passenger vessels
Approved cargo Containers and general cargo, vehicles and machinery, bulk cargo (non-approved systems), passengers, crew and their personal effects
Port contact (website) Napier Port Ltd
MPI contact MPI Napier

New Plymouth

Port Taranaki
Approved vessels Commercial vessels, commercial passenger vessels, defence force craft
Approved cargo Containers and general cargo, bulk cargo (approved systems), bulk cargo (non-approved systems), vehicles and machinery, passengers, crew and their personal effects
Port contact (website) Port Taranaki
MPI contact MPI New Plymouth

Wellington

Wellington Harbour
Approved vessels Commercial vessels, commercial passenger vessels, defence force craft
Approved cargo Container and general cargo, vehicles and machinery, fresh produce (bulk) bulk cargo (approved systems), bulk cargo (non-approved systems), passengers crew and their personal effects
Port contact (website) CentrePort Ltd 
MPI contact MPI Wellington wharf

Picton

Picton Harbour
Approved vessels Commercial vessels, commercial passenger vessels, defence force craft, private recreational vessels
Approved cargo Containers and general cargo, bulk cargo (non-approved systems), vehicles and machinery, passengers, crew and their personal effects
Port contact (website) Port Marlborough
MPI contact MPI Nelson

Nelson

Port Nelson
Approved vessels Commercial vessels, commercial passenger vessels, defence force craft, private recreational vessels
Approved cargo Containers and general cargo, bulk cargo (approved systems) bulk cargo (non-approved systems), vehicles and machinery, passengers, crew and their personal effects
Port contact (website) Port Nelson
MPI contact MPI Nelson

Christchurch (Lyttelton)

Lyttelton Harbour
Approved vessels Commercial vessels, commercial passenger vessels, defence force craft, private recreational vessels
Approved cargo Containers and general cargo, bulk cargo (approved systems) bulk cargo (non-approved systems), vehicles and machinery, passengers, crew and their personal effects, live animals (zoo animals only)
Port contact (website) Lyttelton Port of Christchurch
MPI contact MPI Christchurch (cargo)

Timaru

Timaru Port
Approved vessels Commercial vessels, commercial passenger vessels, defence force craft
Approved cargo Containers and general cargo, bulk cargo (approved systems) bulk cargo (non-approved systems), vehicles and machinery, passengers, crew and their personal effects
Port contact (website) PrimePort Ltd
MPI contact MPI Timaru

Dunedin (Port Chalmers)

Port Chalmers
Approved vessels Commercial vessels, commercial passenger vessels, defence force craft
Approved cargo Containers and general cargo, vehicles and machinery, bulk cargo (non-approved systems), passengers, crew and their personal effects
Port contact (website) Port Otago Ltd
MPI contact MPI Dunedin

Invercargill (Bluff and Tiwai Point)

Tiwai Point
Approved vessels Commercial vessels
Approved cargo Containers and general cargo, bulk cargo (non-approved systems), vehicles and machinery, passengers, crew and their personal effects
Port contact (website) NZ Aluminium Smelters Ltd
MPI contact MPI Invercargill

South Port, Bluff
Approved vessels Commercial vessels, commercial passenger vessels, defence force craft
Approved cargo

Containers and general cargo, bulk cargo (approved systems) bulk cargo (non-approved systems), vehicles and machinery, passengers, crew and their personal effects

Note: No racing, research, fare paying passenger or "commercial" yachts are covered by this approval. You must arrive at an approved PoFA which can manage your craft type.

South Port has no biosecurity facilities for any type of yacht.
Port contact (website) South Port NZ Ltd
MPI contact MPI Invercargill

MPI craft categories for seacraft

  • Private recreational vessels – all pleasure craft, including yachts and superyachts (private and commercial)
  • Commercial passenger vessels – any commercial vessel for the transport of fare-paying passengers (excluding superyachts)
  • Commercial vessels – any commercial vessel (other than fare paying passenger) used for the transport of cargo – including but not limited to container ships, bulk carriers, roll-on/roll-off vessels, cargo ships, livestock carriers, fishing vessels, and barges
  • Defence force craft – all vessels used by the defence forces (can be sea or aircraft)

MPI business units