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Boating in the Bay of Plenty

The Bay of Plenty is renowned for its beautiful harbours, lakes and rivers. These waterways are shared by both commercial and recreational users, so it's important we share this space safely. 

Harbourmaster team

Our Harbourmaster and Maritime Team work to keep Bay of Plenty waterways safe for everyone to enjoy. The role of the Harbourmaster includes: 

  • Carrying out regular patrols to ensure that harbour and lakes users know the rules and are abiding by the Bay of Plenty Navigation and Safety Bylaw.
  • Maintain more than 800 navigation aids, lights and beacons around the region.
  • Remove hazards (when accessible), such as large logs and fallen trees from local waterways.
  • Process abandoned vessels.
  • Maintain safe boating signage at your local boat ramps.
  • Respond to marine oil spill events.
  • Issue mooring licences for 482 swing moorings.
  • Manage aquatic events and lakes closures.
  • Promote safe boating.
  • Keep local and visiting boaties informed of changes to local rules and regulations.

Contact us

Duty Harbourmaster: 0800 5 KNOTS (0800 55 66 87)

24/7 Pollution Hotline: 0800 884 883

harbourmaster

Harbourmaster Directions and Notices

  1. Tarawera River: 
    Location: From the State Highway 34/Tamarangi Drive Bridge to the far end of the Kawerau Golf Club.
    Speed Limit: Vessels may not exceed 5 knots. 
    View map
  2. Kaituna River:
    Location: From 200m downstream of the Waitangi railway bridge to 400m upstream of the Pacific Coast Highway Bridge.
    Speed Limit: Vessels may not exceed 5 knots. 
    View map

This Harbourmaster direction is enforceable from 1 December 2024 until the Bay of Plenty Regional Navigation Safety Bylaws 2025 come into force. 
Issued Under: Section 33F of the Maritime Transport Act 1994 (MTA). 
Purpose: To ensure maritime safety. 
The Bay of Plenty Regional Council shall not be responsible for any loss, damage, or costs arising from this direction. For compliance and safety, please adhere to these speed limits in the specified areas. 

HARBOURMASTER DIRECTION PURSUANT TO SECTION 33F(1)(c)(i) OF THE MARITIME TRANSPORT ACT 1994: MOTITI ISLAND EXCLUSION ZONE FOR VESSELS GREATER THAN 500GT

I, JON JON PETERS, Bay of Plenty Regional Harbourmaster, issue the following Direction pursuant to section 33F(1)(c)(i) of the Maritime Transport Act 1994 on the grounds that the Direction is necessary for the purpose of ensuring maritime safety. This Direction extends the Direction issued on 9 May 2025.

APPLICATION: This Direction applies from 9 May 2025 until 1 June 2026 to all vessels greater than 500 gross tonnes unless an exemption is granted by the Harbourmaster.

DIRECTION: The Master of any vessel greater than 500 gross tonnes will not cause that vessel to enter the following exclusion zone: 
Motiti Island a circle of 2.0 nautical miles radius centred on position 37 36.430 S 176 25.135 E 

This Direction may be amended, extended or rescinded at any time by the Harbourmaster as considered necessary for the purpose of maritime safety.

JonJon Peters
Regional Harbourmaster Bay of Plenty

Reporting an accident/incident

Please use these details to report an incident:

If your call is an emergency, dial 111 in the first instance. Also remember that Coastguard is available on Marine Radio.

You must also provide a written report within 48 hours. You can complete the online form here, or download and fill in the 'Accident/ incident report' PDF from 'Useful downloads' below, and email to maritime@boprc.govt.nz. 

Useful downloads

Boating in the Bay of Plenty booklet
Accident/incident report form
Bay of Plenty Regional Navigation Safety Bylaw 2017
Tauranga Harbour Navigational Safety Management System