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Moorings

Auckland has one of the highest rates of boat ownership in the world. To house these vessels there are a number of different types of moorings available, owned by the ARC, individuals and private yacht clubs.

The Auckland Regional Coastal Plan has identified 70 Mooring Management Areas MMAs) where mooring is permitted. The Harbourmaster's office at the ARC administers mooring areas to ensure that the space is used most effectively and the boats are suitably positioned within the areas.

Moorings

Moorings Management Review and Annual Fees

The ARC has completed its moorings management fee review. Through its 2008/09 Annual Plan adopted a proposed increase, but with the proviso that it will be phased in over three years. The 2008/09 fees, identified in the 08/09 Annual Plan reflect the first year increase. This increase, will in effect, be a move towards a single flat charge for mud and swing moorings by 2011/12. ARC also adopted the proposal that the schedule of fees be removed from the ARC Navigation Safety Bylaw, and be included in the Annual Plan process.

The new schedule of fees can be found below:

Navigation safety bylaws schedule of fees 08-09 (330.3 KB PDF)

Types of moorings

  • Marinas - offer the greatest convenience and safety, but at $10-$40 can be an expensive option
  • Pile moorings - available through Westhaven and Bayswater marinas, or through the Harbourmaster's office for moorings at Te Atatu and Panmure (for vessels up to 15 metres) which have a waiting list. To be added to the waiting list send your details to moorings@arc.govt.nz or phone 09 362 0397
  • Swing moorings - offer the most cost-effective alternative. Most swing moorings are privately owned and are administered by the Harbourmaster's office. Alternatively, if space is available within the area you require, the Harbourmaster's office can assist by allocating a site, for which you will need to make arrangements with an ARC approved mooring contractor to install appropriate mooring hardware (at your cost). There is a waiting list for swing moorings at Matiatia, Waiheke Island. To enquire about site allocation or be added to the waiting list for Matiatia, send your details to moorings@arc.govt.nz or phone 09 362 0397
  • Other moorings - if you'd like to moor outside of the Mooring Management Area (MMA), then you'll have to apply for a resource consent.

The ARC charges an annual mooring fee for the administration of allocated swing and pile mooring sites.

If you are already a mooring holder it is very important that you keep us informed of any change in your contact details, particularly if a vessel comes off its mooring. Valuable time and money, often yours, are lost when your details are not kept up-to-date.

How do I buy/rent an existing mooring?

Decide what type of mooring you'd like. If you are looking to purchase or rent an existing mooring, you'll need to ensure that the mooring is suitable for your vessel. Contact the Harbourmaster's office with the mooring number or the mooring owner's details and we will check the mooring licence details to ensure your vessel is compatible for the mooring hardware. Harbourmaster staff will also check to ensure the mooring is within the ARC's three-yearly inspection programme. Please note you can only rent a mooring for a maximum of six months.

To find a mooring for sale or rent go to:

  • our listing of moorings for sale or rent
  • look on Trademe 
  • the marine section of the New Zealand Herald, or Trade and Exchange
  • notice boards at local boat clubs
  • local newspapers or
  • place an advertisement yourself.

Having a new mooring laid

Contact the ARC Harbourmaster's office with your preferred area(s) for mooring. Please provide Harbourmaster staff with your vessel details and we can advise which areas and sites are available. Subject to your approval, a mooring permit will be issued. You can then make arrangements with an ARC-approved contractor for a mooring to be laid at the allocated site, then:

  • we will then process your application, update our records and issue you with a permit
  • you will then be charged an annual mooring fee
  • your mooring must be inspected every three years
  • alternatively, contact the marinas direct for availability
  • if the mooring you'd like is outside of the MMA, then you'll have to apply for a resource consent.

How do I sell / rent out a mooring?

We provide a free listing service for any moorings available for sale or rent. To add your listing:

  • complete the Moorings for Sale/Rent form and return it to the Harbourmaster's office via email to moorings@arc.govt.nz or fax to 09 362 0399, or post to Auckland Regional Council, Harbourmaster's Office, Private Bag 92012, Auckland
  • we will then enter the details onto our web pages at the earliest opportunity
  • applications cannot be accepted over the phone; they must be received via email, fax or post
  • once sold, it is the responsibility of the original owner to inform us, so we can remove the details from the listing
  • alternatively you can advertise it privately online, in your local or regional newspaper, or on local boat club notice boards.

If you sell your mooring, the new owner's vessel must be suitable for the mooring site. You'll need to complete a Certificate of Transfer and return it to the Harbourmaster's office completed and signed by both parties. A $50 transfer fee is also applicable. Any outstanding annual mooring fees must be paid.

Waiting lists

The ARC owns and administers pile moorings situated at Te Atatu and Panmure for vessels up to 15 metres. There are waiting lists for these areas. There is also a waiting list for swing moorings at Matiatia. If you wish to be added to the waiting list, please contact the Harbourmaster's office via email on moorings@arc.govt.nz, or phone 09 362 0397 or fax to 09 362 0399:

  • a site becomes available for allocation when it has been relinquished back to the Harbourmaster's office by the existing permit holder
  • this must be relinquished in writing via email, post of fax
  • it will be offered to the next person on the waiting list
  • for swing moorings at Matiatia, it will be offered to the next person on the waiting list with a suitable vessel
  • persons who wish to relinquish their site at Matiatia must contact the Harbourmaster's office directly to co-ordinate the transfer of the mooring
  • to be removed from the waiting list, please contact the Harbourmaster's office.

Please note it may take some time to be offered a site depending on relinquishment within the area.

Common incidents

  • Not updating your contact details with the Harbourmaster's office
  • Not receiving permission from the Harbourmaster's office to change your vessel to make sure it is suitable
  • Not receiving permission from the Harbourmaster's office for a temp user on your mooring or updating these details
  • Not transferring your mooring if you sell it
  • Ensure your mooring is fixed to the mooring and not the buoy rope
  • Ensure your mooring in within the three yearly inspection period
  • Not maintaining the mooring on a regular basis.

Renting a mooring

Moorings may be sub-leased out for a period no greater than six months and with the permission of the Harbourmaster's office. Please contact the Habourmaster's office in the first instance to confirm that the vessel going on the mooring is suitable for the site.

Your request for a temporary user must be forwarded to the Harbourmaster's office in writing with the temporary user's vessel and contact details.

If you currently have a boat on your mooring, which is not the vessel shown on your mooring annual fees invoice, please contact us on 09 362 0397 so that we can update our records.

Mooring inspections

ARC Navigation Safety Bylaws state that all moorings be maintained in a safe and efficient condition. Most moorings that fail are out of the survey period. The ARC notifies mooring owners six months in advance when a mooring is coming up for its three yearly inspection. This allows time to book it in with an ARC Mooring Contractor to ensure it is inspected before the end of the three year period.

Please note, there are currently only three mooring contractors working in the Auckland area who have some 1000 moorings per year to inspect. To minimise delays, please ensure you book your inspection when requested. Please also remember that mooring contractors have to work around the weather.

Continue to Moorings for sale or rent