I am a

Commercial Operators

Seafarers

Recreational boaties

Surveyors and third parties

Pilot licensing

Maritime pilots in New Zealand must hold a valid licence to operate within specific pilotage areas. Licences are issued by Maritime New Zealand and are usually restricted to a specific port and vessel size. Alternatively, Masters (and Chief Officers) in ships regularly calling at specific ports may obtain a Pilot Exemption Certificate.

Learn about the types of licences, skills and experience pilots or masters seeking a pilotage exemption certificate (PECs) need, how licences or PECs are obtained, and common licence and PEC conditions. 

 Types of licences

There are two ways to meet the requirements to hold a pilot licence.: 

  • Pilotage Exemption Certificate (PEC) – allows a ship’s master to navigate a specific pilotage area without a licensed pilot on board, subject to conditions on the PEC.= 

  • Pilot licence – authorises a pilot to provide pilotage services within a designated pilotage area. 

Key skills and experience

Pilots seeking pilot licences or masters seeking PECs generally need to demonstrate: 

  • navigation and ship‑handling skills – deep knowledge of vessel manoeuvring, including berthing, unberthing, and navigating in confined waters 

  • local knowledge – detailed understanding of harbour tides, currents, weather patterns, traffic, depths, and navigation hazards in the pilotage area 

  • communication skills – ability to communicate clearly with ship masters, bridge teams, tug masters, lines crews, and port or vessel‑traffic control. 

Port companies and pilotage providers may set additional local criteria for experience and competency. 

How to obtain a pilot licence or PEC

Pilot licensing and PEC requirements are set in legislation and Maritime Rules and are applied through port and pilotage‑provider processes. In general, applicants must: 

  • Meet entry certification criteria e.g. holding a Master certificate 

  • complete a Maritime NZ‑approved or recognised training programme, including local pilotage‑area training where required 

  • pass practical and oral examinations that test ship‑handling, local knowledge, and emergency response 

  • meet medical‑fitness and fit and proper person requirements 

  • apply to Maritime NZ for the relevant licence or PEC, usually with support from the port or pilotage provider. 

 Licence conditions 

Pilot licences and PECs are typically restricted by: 

  • pilotage area – specific port, harbour, or pilotage limits 

  • vessel size and type – limits based on gross tonnage, length, draught, or vessel type  

  • additional conditions – any further restrictions or requirements set by Maritime NZ, port companies, or harbourmasters (for example, weather limits, tug‑use requirements, recency of trips). Licence and PEC holders must comply with all conditions on their licence or certificate at all times.