Waikato Regional Harbourmaster

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Waikato Regional Harbourmaster

Making sure Waikato waterways are safe and easy to navigate. Thanks for visiting our page! This page does not replace the official contact channels.

Here we provide updates, info and advice around maintaining safe boating and use of the waterways within the Waikato region. We physically manage all waterways in the Waikato (both inland and coastal), with the exception of Lake Taupō, which is managed by the Department of Internal Affairs. This page is managed by the Waikato Regional Council Harbourmaster’s Office and is checked intermittently be

tween 9am and 4pm, Monday to Friday. If you have an urgent enquiry or need to report a maritime incident, please call Waikato Regional Council’s freephone on 0800 800 402. In the event of a maritime emergency please call 111, or Coastguard on VHF channel 16

Feedback is welcome but will be moderated to ensure this page remains appropriate and respectful of all users. For more resources, please check out waikatoregion.govt.nz/services/maritime-services
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01/09/2026

Take a moment to chuck your lifejacket on if you're on a dinghy.

31/08/2026

Heading out to a whitebait stand by dinghy? Remember, you'll need to be wearing a lifejacket.

From 2015-2025, 43% of dinghy fatalities involved someone falling overboard from a dinghy that remained upright and afloat. 68% of fatalities weren't wearing lifejackets.

Accidents can happen. Having a lifejacket on betters your odds, especially with how cold the water can be at this time of year ❄️

Stay safe out there and happy whitebaiting!

📷 “Whitebait Stands-South Westland” by Shellie Evans, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

20/08/2026

Deep Dive Divison will be recovering a vehicle from the water in front of the Hamilton Gardens, tomorrow (Friday 21 August) between 9am and 1pm using a large crane and a commercial dive team.

The river narrows in this area and with heavy machinery and divers in the water we are asking all recreational vessels to avoid this area marked on the map.

If you MUST travel through, make your intentions clear to those operating in the area and do not travel faster than 5 knots.

For urgent concerns during the operation, you can contact 0800 800 401 for the Harbourmaster or Tua at Deep Dive Division on 021 115 6809.

12/08/2026

The University of Waikato will be measuring river flow this Saturday 15 August at the Pukete Footbridge in Hamilton 👨‍🔬🔎

The exercise involves them lowering a "Gurley" current meter on a steel cable from the footbridge down into the river. They'll be measuring the current's speed at several depths at set spacings across the width of the river. The goal is to calculate the discharge, which the students can do back in the lab.

Please be aware of this if you're in the area on Saturday. This activity poses a potential hazard to the public using the river during the exercise as the current meter is very heavy and could damage a vessel if it was struck at speed.

To mitigate this risk, the University will have a safety vessel on the water to alert people of the potential danger and to direct vessels around the current meter. There will also be signage posted at local boat ramps notifying river users of the navigational hazard.

07/07/2026

⚠ The sand spit at Royal Billy Point in Pauanui has recently extended further into the harbour.

Maritime Officers have today added an additional port buoy to clearly mark the limits of the safe channel when approaching/departing the boat ramp.

The sands are always changing so travel with caution, check your depths and always cross the bar near high tide.

01/07/2026

✅ KAWHIA NAVIGATION UPDATE ✅

The faulty lead light is now repaired and has been repainted at the same time. Hope you can get out and enjoy the good weather!

Sécurité messages have been removed from Coastguard broadcasting on Channel 16.

26/06/2026

⚠ KAWHIA NAVIGATION WARNING ⚠

The Harbourmaster team is aware that the back lead light in the Kahwia harbour is not operational. This is marked on the map below.

Our team are working on replacing this. In the meantime please use caution when navigating the harbour.

A Sécurité message is being broadcast by Coastguard on VHF Channel 16 until a replacement is installed.

28/05/2026

⚠ Changes to the Port Waikato bar continue to make safe passage very difficult ⚠

We have had to remove the top lead mark as it physically exceeded the adjustment needed to continue marking a safe line for crossing the bar.

We are unable to mark the channel with buoys due to the strength of the currents and ongoing changes to the channel.

We have installed additonal warnings at all boat ramps. However, with a recent capsizing and several close calls, we would strongly encourage boaties to reconisder whether it's essential for them to cross, and if in doubt, not to go out.

If you must cross, please open a bar watch on VHF channel 18 or by calling *500.
Wear your lifejacket, and always cross near high tide - never near low tide.

If you haven't crossed in a while, seek local knowledge from nearby boating clubs or Coastguard who have all been briefed on the situation.

The photos on this post were taken on 01 May 2026

20/05/2026

Numerous near-fatal incidents on the Raglan bar in the last year alone has made clear the need for better messaging on the seriousness of bar crossings.

Our team have installed new signage on the Raglan footbridge (visible from both directions) that double as port/starboard navigation aids, and serve as reminders to boaties to consider their passengers' safety on the water.

If you're new to the area (or bar crossings in general) seek advice before attempting to cross. Coastguard runs excellent bar crossing seminars that are worth attending.

07/05/2026

World Surf League has been granted a temporary exclusion zone at Manu Bay for the 2026 Championship Tour in Raglan. The purpose of this zone is to ensure safe and predictable separation of competitors from other vessels.

The zone will be in effect from 14-25 May, from 7.00am to 5.00pm while the event is underway.

Only authorised vessels will be allowed within this zone, which will be enforced by NZ Police and Harbourmaster staff.

As a result, viewing of the event is best done from shore.

Address

160 Ward Street
Hamilton
3204

Telephone

+64800800402

Website

http://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/boatsafety

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