With many yachts currently in self-isolation in the Pacific Islands still wanting to sail to New Zealand, Sharron Beck from Whangarei Marina – also the board secretary for the South Pacific Sailing Network – has provided the following situation update.

Published 5 years ago

From today, April 17,  New Zealand is hopefully in the final week of a four week “COVID-19 Lockdown”.  The country’s border remains closed to all except returning New Zealand residents and citizens, who are being quarantined in hotels for two weeks on arrival.

Due to a quick and strict isolation reaction, the COVID-19 spread is considerably lower than other countries. We are optimistic that the NZ Government will be able to announce an ease of the Lockdown for April 22nd to allow people to leave their homes/ boats for work and recreation if they can still remain out of physical contact and do not travel outside of their region.

Though swimming, fishing from land and surfing will be allowed again, boating will still not be permitted unless it is “essential”. This will be the situation until another announcement of easing in restrictions. 

Border to remain closed for some time

COVID-19 has stopped the yachts who would normally sail to the smaller Pacific Islands at this time of year from leaving NZ.

It is October to December when most yachts wish to enter New Zealand, but, the border is expected to remain closed for a long while.

However the NZ marine industry may lobby that yachts be allowed to enter sooner than flight tourist arrivals by proving a quarantine period has been achieved at sea already. No plans have been announced for any delay to The America’s Cup racing in early 2021.

Visa and customs extensions

Those on tourist Visas in NZ have all been given automatic extensions until Sept 25th 2020.

Those whose yacht’s customs tax-free two year periods are about to expire can be extended also into September 2020 and then it is stated “Any extension requests beyond September 2020 will be considered on a case-by-case basis.”

Marinas are operating slightly differently depending on their location and clientele. Whangarei Marina’s office is closed with its many liveaboards only allowed to be within the area and able to use the facility building. The marina is following official guidelines by currently only allowing those liveaboard boats who were in the marina just prior to Lockdown and then have been self-isolated at anchor to return. They must then stay in the marina for the remainder of the Lockdown period. Exact movement regulations at the lower isolation level are being discussed.  

Boatyard and Marina Status

The yards are not full. One in particular just doubled in size 3 weeks before shutdown – Marsden Cove Marina. The marinas are quite full at the moment, but we expect once they are able to start operating again, probably next week, that some boats will choose to haul out and then fly back home for a long time opening up on water spaces. The yards can expand quickly.
Marsden Cove still has larger over 16m berths available and other older marinas have some smaller berths.
Whangarei Marina is confident that they will still be able start building a new 115 berth marina later in the year ready for 2022 season.

Sharron Beck
Whangarei Marina
South Pacific Sailing Network

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Related links:

• New Zealand Government COVID-19 Information
• New Zealand Immigration COVID-19 Information
• New Zealand Biosecurity Noonsite

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The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the view of Noonsite.com or World Cruising Club.