The New Zealand border authorities have a reputation for their strictness (we prefer to think of it as professionalism) in inforcing the import of certain food and plant products. Questions about what is and is not allowed fill the VHF airwaves each year in Tonga and Fiji. Rather than continue to wonder, use our link to visit the NZ Ministery of Agriculture and Forestry find the official answer!

We have also provided our thoughts and useful links on such topics as:

• Route Planning
• New Zealand Weather Sources
• Ports of Entry
• Customs & Immigration Info Packs

For yachts with email facilities we can help arrange such services as marina berths, storage, rental cars and maintence facilities. Please note we are not a marina or a car rental company but will helpfully point you in the direction of businesses we think will give you excellent service. Email Us when you are ready to start your trip or are already underway and, if we're not out on a delivery, we will give you our comments on predicted weather, tactics and routes.


Route Planning to and from the Tropics (top of page)
New Zealand has very changeable weather. When traveling south in October, from the tropics, a sharp contrast is felt between the warm weather in Tonga and Fiji, and the colder, windier weather in New Zealand.

For many, being caught out in a South Westerly gale off the Northland coast, is a very unpleasant welcome to New Zealand.

It is important to minimize the effect of the common South westerly winds, by making most of your westing, further north, where it is easy to do in East or South Easterly winds.

Particularly when sailing from Tonga, a real effort needs to be made to get West early. Resist the temptation to sail the great circle course as dictated by your GPS.

Try and approach the Bay of Islands from the North, not North East, and if there is a westerly or South Westerly wind predicted, make every effort to close the Northern coast early. (In adverse conditions, the waters around North Cape, Three Kings and Cape Rienga should be given a very wide berth, due to strong currents and the relatively shallow water causing very rough seas at times).

Similarly, when leaving New Zealand for Tonga or Fiji, make your Easting early. If you leave in Westerly or South Westerly weather, this is easy to do. Get well to the East of the Rhumb line. This will make the sailing much easier when you encounter steady (often strong) East or South Easterly winds further up the track.

This applies more on the track to Tonga, as there is more Easting to be made.

On a passage to Tonga, a course passing close to the Kermadecs gives you a good amount of Easting, try and approach Nukualofa from the South, not South East, as there is a good chance of finishing this leg hard on the wind.

If you want to visit Minerva Reef, go there on the leg from Tonga to New Zealand - not New Zealand to Tonga. The trip from Minerva to Tonga can prove very arduous in East or North East winds.


New Zealand Weather Sources (top of page)
New Zealand MetService provides high seas weather by both voice and weather fax.

MetService High Seas Forecasts are sent in English by ZLM on HF 6224 and 12356 at 0303Z, 0903Z, 1503Z and 2103Z and on 8297 and 16531 30 minutes later. Details can be found at Voice Schedule .
MetService maps are sent by Radio Fax on ZKLF on SSB 3247.4, 5807, 9459, 13550.5 or 16340.1 Details can be found at Fax Schedule .


New Zealand Ports of Entry (top of page)
The following ports of entry are most commonly used by yachties. They are all conviently located in the North Island. The officials in Opua and Whangarei are very accustomed to working with yachts and continue to enjoy excellent reputations for their friendly attitudes. Auckland is a much busier commercial port where officials see fewer yachts.

Opua - probably the easiest check-in with good arrival access on the Custom's dock. This dock is clearly marked as a quaranteen area, with no access to shore. It can handle a large number of yachts. Customs and other officials travel to and from the dock in their work boats. Marina berths can be arranged from here via VHF. Be careful shifting your boat within the marina as the tide runs strongly through here. If possible shift at slack water.

Whangarei - friendly environment with lots of facilities for both the boat and the crew but it is a fair way up the Whangarei river. It is probably easier to clear in at Opua then sail down the Whangarei.

Auckland - entry here is reasonably straight forward but this is a major shipping port and you may have to wait. The Custom's wharf is not "yacht friendly" and at times wakes from other boats cause problems here. Once cleared you may have problems finding a marina berth or anchorage near facilities. Again it is probably best to clear in at Opua, make arrangements by phone, then sail down. Most cruising yachts choose Gulf Harbor Marina. A safe, low cost option nearer the city is Westpark Marina and there are several other marinas in the area.


New Zealand Border Agencies Information Pack for Yachts and Small Craft (top of page)
The New Zealand Customs and Immigration agencies are very welcoming to foreign yachts and make every effort to make your clearing formalities a quick, smooth and pleasant experience. Like most countries there are restrictions on what visitors can bring into the country. The Border Agencies provide an excellent information pack that is available in several Pacific Island countries including: Fiji, New Caledonia, Rarotonga, French Polynesia, Tonga and Vanuatu. These kits detail restricted items and include the required Customs and Immigration forms so you can fill them in before arrival and speed your check in formalities. More information can be found at Info Pack .