Tarakohe

Size limits

Max LOA 150m and draught 6.0m

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range 4.8m.

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

Approach

The harbour is approached and entered between breakwaters from NW, on the line of the leading lights.

The alignment 139° of main leading lights, exhibited from the head of the harbour, leads through the harbour entrance between the breakwaters. The leading lights are as follows:

Front Light: Triangle on wooden mast.

Rear Light: Wooden mast, 32m SE of front light. Blue lights.

The alignment 123.5° of Wharf approach leading lights, exhibited from the NE corner of the harbour, leads between the moles, from the heads of which lights (round metal towers, 2m in height) are exhibited, to the wharf. The leading lights are as follows:

Front Light: Red triangle on metal mast, on the inner end of the wharf.

Rear Light: Green triangle on metal mast, 66m ESE of the front light.

Port limits

Port limits are the arc of a circle with a radius of 3nm centred on Abel Tasman Memorial (40°49.4'S 172°54.1'E), situated on a point approx 0.25nm NE of the harbour.

Anchorages

Good anchorage can be obtained in the NW part of Golden Bay, in depths from 13.0m-15.0m, approx 4nm S of Puponga Point (40°32'S 172°44'E), well sheltered from E winds by the extensive shoal area S of Farewell spit.

During S and E winds there is good anchorage in a depth of approx 7.0m approx 1.5nm off Motupipi River.

There is a confined anchorage W of the S Tata Island (40°48.3'S 172°54.6'E), in depths of approx 8.0m.

Restrictions

Permission must be granted before entering the harbour.

Tugs

A tug is brought from Nelson, 5 hours steaming away.

Charts and publications

NZ 61. Admiralty Pilot NP51.

ETA and pre-arrival notices

ETA should be sent 48 hours prior to arrival. Masters of overseas vessels are required to give as much notice as possible of arrival to enable port officials to be made available from Nelson. Permission to berth should be requested at least 12 hours in advance of arrival.

Communications

VHF: Pilot & Port: Ch 16 and 60.

Standard messages

Agent/port company will advise pilot boarding time and berth details, port situation.

Notice of readiness

As per Charter Party or on arrival at the pilot station.

Health

A similar exemption is granted to vessels making their first port of call in New Zealand directly after leaving any port on the W coast of Canada or United States of America or from any port on the E coast of those countries, if using the Panama Canal. In these cases, an intervening call may be made en route to New Zealand at any port of the above listed places.

The exemptions only apply if no person onboard suffers from an eruptive disease attended by fever or glandular swelling.

It is unlawful for any person, except in an emergency or with the authority of Port Health Officer, to board the vessel until pratique has been granted.

Customs and immigration

Normal Customs/Immigration formalities apply. Visa, if required, can be applied for on arrival.

Allowances for officers and crew: 200 cigarettes, 1 litre spirits, 750ml wine, there are cash fines and confiscation, for non compliance with these allowances.

Notices and regulations

Regional Council By Laws apply. Vessels must comply with ballast water discharge restrictions and be free from Asian Gypsy Moth.

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.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Limited supplies available by road tanker, bulk diesel storage available.

Medical

Available, 16km from the port.

Crew change

On request.

Transport

Nearest airport: Takala Airport (14km).

Airport facilities: New Zealand internal flights.

Nearest railway: Picton (241km).

Working hours

24 hours, 365 days per year.

Where it is

Tarakohe is situated in Golden Bay on the N coast of South Island, 12km from Takaka.

The port

The port is formed by 2 breakwaters and handles general cargo.

What are the pilot arrangements at Tarakohe?

Available and recommended.

What time zone is Tarakohe in?

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

What is the maximum draft at Tarakohe?

The deepest berth listed is at Tarakohe Terminal: 6.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

Which load line zone is Tarakohe in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Tarakohe?

Port State Control at Tarakohe: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Tarakohe?

The UN/LOCODE of Tarakohe is NZTKH.

What crews who called at Tarakohe 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.

Read and add tips for Tarakohe →