Ships
Delays in processing your applications
Whilst we continue to work towards a service standard of 20 working days, applications can take approximately 3 months to process.
We apologise for any inconvenience, and we are working hard to improve this.
Please help us by applying early, and follow the details below to contact us if you have any questions.
Submitting your application
We recommend that you only send your applications and documents to us electronically by email:
- The two forms of ID you send in must be certified by the person completing page 9 (Trusted Referee Confirmation of Identity) of the Fit and Proper Person Form. If you are directly affected by COVID-19 and cannot provide these certified items, please contact us on seafarers@maritimenz.govt.nz or 0508 732 237.
- All other documents do not need to be certified or countersigned.
- Please do not send original documents, only electronic copies.
- If you are renewing a certificate, we do not need you to send the original expiring certificate.
When providing us with electronic copies of documents, please make sure the scanned copies are legible and of a good quality.
If you are unable to provide your application documents to us electronically, we recommend you contact us so we can make alternative arrangements for you.
Contact us
Find out how to contact us
The best way of contacting us is by email
We are monitoring our email and will respond to your enquiry as soon as possible.
Please use the following email addresses:
seafarers@maritimenz.govt.nz for all seafarer enquiries
operators@maritimenz.govt.nz for vessel related safety and certification
ship.registration@maritimenz.govt.nz for Part A and Part B registrations
exemptions.officer@maritimenz.govt.nz for all exemptions
enquiries@maritimenz.govt.nz for all other general enquiries
Alternatively you can use our online enquiry form.
Contact us online
If you don’t have email
We are still answering the phones but there may be a delay in our response times.
New Zealand (toll free): 0508 22 55 22
Calling from outside New Zealand: +64 4 473 0111
Masters of foreign ships

Ship inspection and security
About the rules
Maritime and marine protection rules contain detailed technical standards and procedures and form part of New Zealand’s maritime law.