Onehunga

Size limits

LOA 26.01m, beam 7.02, 62DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range 3.4m springs, 2.0m neaps.

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Approach

There is a difficult bar outside the port heads and because of the changing conditions, depth varies and the utmost caution in crossing must be observed. Masters of vessels should not attempt to enter without making contact with the signal station South Head. The controlling depth in the main channel is 3.3m, recommended draught is not to exceed 4.9m.

Wairopa Channel: From a position S of Puponga Point , the track through Wairopa Channel leads generally NE to the vicinity of Shag Point (36°57.4'S 174°39.8'E) and then generally ENE to Onehunga Wharf (36°56.1'S 174°47.0'E).

The channel is marked on both sides by light beacons, lightbuoys and buoys, in accordance with IALA System, Region "A" (red to port). All buoys are marked with reflective material on their numbers and on the edges of their topmarks.

Anchorages

After entering Manukau Harbour it is not advisable to anchor until Puponga Point has been rounded, if bound for Onehunga. The harbour channels afford sheltered anchorage on a bottom generally of sand and mud, good holding ground.

Wairopa Channel affords good but restricted anchorage at the SW end in a depth of 7.0m approx 0.15nm E of a jetty (37°00.8'S 174°36.3'E), at Cornwallis.

Vessels can anchor in the NE part of the channel, approx 1.5nm W of Onehunga, in a depth of 5.0m. This is the usual anchorage off the port but it may be necessary to moor; there is more swinging room E of Cape Horn (36°56.5'S 174°43.7'E) in a depth of 7.0m. When anchoring in this part, care should be taken to avoid a submarine pipeline laid across the channel 1.25nm W of Onehunga Wharf; the direction of the pipeline is indicated by the transits of 2 pairs of beacons (white, triangular topmarks) situated at the landing places.

Prohibited anchorages: In an area extending S from Destruction Gully (37°02.0'S 174°31.8'E).

In the vicinity of sewage and fuel pipelines laid across Wairopa Channel from White Bluff (36°56.0'S 174°45.6'E); the limits of the area and positions of beacons (white, triangular topmarks), in transit, indicate the direction of the pipelines.

In the vicinity of Auckland International Airport (37°01.0'S 174°47.0'E), in an area marked by light beacons and yellow beacons.

Tugs

One tug is available. "Tika", 730bhp, 8t bollard pull.

Charts and publications

BA NZ4314, NZ43. Admiralty Pilot NP51, NP286(4).

Port State Control here: Tokyo MOU.

Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.

Inspection of ships in New Zealand

Maritime Safety Authority

PO Box 27006, 275-281 Upper Cuba Street, Wellington, New Zealand.

Tel: +64 4 382 8198.

Fax: +64 4 382 4934.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Maritime Safety Authority of New Zealand.

Contact person: Maritime Security Adviser.

Address: PO Box 27006, Level 8 Gen-I Tower, 109 Featherston Street, Wellington, 6005, New Zealand.

Tel: +64 4 471 5366.

Fax: +64 4 494 1270.

Website: http://www.maritimenz.govt.nz

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org

Repairs

Available through a number of marine engineering firms based in Auckland.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available on request.

Bunkering: Available by road tanker only.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Waitakere Hospital, 20.6km.

Crew change

Available.

Transport

Nearest airport: Auckland Airport, 10.8km.

Nearest railway: Manukau, 14.3km.

Working hours

Service available throughout 24 hours on request.

Where it is

Onehunga is situated on the NE shore of Manukau Harbour, Auckland, 14.5nm from the Tasman Sea entrance.

The port

Onehunga is a large harbour with a water area of 394km square. This rail linked port situated in the midst of South Auckland's industrial heartland, functions as one of New Zealand's most important fishing ports providing services to the New Zealand coastal trade. The port handles principal cargoes such as containers, dolomite, fish. There is a LPG Terminal at the N end of Papakura Channel, in Onehunga Harbour.

What are the pilot arrangements at Onehunga?

Not compulsory. Available on request from Shipping Services Manager, Auckland, boarding off Taratara Point.

What time zone is Onehunga in?

Local time at Onehunga is UTC+13. Back to UTC+12 on 3 Apr 2027. Clocks go to UTC+13 on 25 Sep 2027.

What is the water density at Onehunga?

1025.

Which load line zone is Onehunga in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Onehunga?

Port State Control at Onehunga: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Onehunga?

The UN/LOCODE of Onehunga is NZONE.

What crews who called at Onehunga say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.

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