Free Paddle Safe event in Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour helped Cantabrians build confidence on the water through hands-on safety activities and expert guidance.
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Navigation safety
Last updated: 13 May 2026
Reporting frequency: Quarterly
Core service: Community Preparedness and Response to Hazards
We deliver Harbourmaster services which ensure safe navigation for commercial vessels in our harbours.
We also work to keep our recreational boaties safe in coastal, marine and inland waterway environments.
How are we tracking on our service measures?
Service measure 26: Percentage of time recreational boating and commercial shipping safety is maintained in accordance with national standards (New Zealand Port and Harbour Marine Safety Code)
Target: 100%
How are we doing: 100% - the Coast and Harbours section passed the ISO:9001 external audit in October and the management review ISO:9001 internal audit.
On track
Service measure 27: Percentage of time that the Harbourmaster is available during the year
Target: 100%
How are we doing: 100% – we have four warranted harbourmasters across the region and one of them is always available 24/7 for navigation safety matters
On track
More information
We achieve the ISO:9001 certification each year. The ISO:9001 certification verifies, through regular audits and reviews, that the Harbourmaster and Coastal team section is meeting its obligations under the New Zealand Port and Harbour Marine Safety Code.
We have a qualified Harbourmaster on call throughout the year. This means that the Harbourmaster is able to respond to events in and on our harbours and coastal, marine and inland, waterways