PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Wanganui
Pilot
updated May 2010- Wanganui (Castlecliff) pilot boarding Pilot boards39°58.3′S 174°56.9′E
Pilotage is not compulsory, unless directed by the Harbour Master, but is advisable on request, giving at least 4 hours notice.
Vessels intending to enter without the services of a pilot must not enter without receiving permission and directions on latest depths, bar conditions and other information from the pilot station.
The pilot station is equipped with radar which will advise vessels range and bearing on request, but no liability is accepted by the Port Authority for any consequences arising from the use of such information.
Pilot boards approx 2nm SW of the river entrance.
Key data
updated Nov 2025Size limits
LOA 55.15m, beam 12m, draught 5.0m, 2,075DWT.
Water density
1010.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Range 2.1m (springs), 0.9m (neaps).
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wanganui Terminal | 5.00 m | 55 m | 3 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Nov 2025Approach
The harbour is approached from SW on alignment of leading lights and entered over a bar and between the heads of the breakwaters. As depths on the bar are subject to frequent change it is dangerous for mariners, without recent local knowledge, to attempt to cross it.
Bar Leading Lights:
Front Light: White cross on black rectangular beacon) (39°56.7'S 174°59.4'E).
Rear Light: (black round topmark, white border, on white triangular beacon, black stripe) situated 76m ENE of the front light.
From a position approx 1nm WSW of the river entrance, the alignment (approx 059°) of these lights leads over the bar into the entrance between the moles. The front light is moved as required to indicate, by alignment with the rear light, the best water over the bar.
Inside the mole heads the lights do not lead in the channel. To stay in the deepest water a vessel should favour the N side, passing:
Close SSE of N molehead, from which a light (white triangular beacon, height 5m) is exhibited, then:
Close SSE of a light beacon (red and white chequered square, on mast, 7m in height, 0.3nm ENE of N molehead), the:
SSE of a 0.2m patch 0.8nm ENE of the front light beacon to the berth as required.
Particular attention should be paid to the advice and information given by the signal station.
Port limits
Wanganui Harbour comprises all the tidal waters of Wanganui River and is bounded seaward by the arc of a circle, radius 3nm, centred on a flagstaff (39°56.8'S 174°59.4'E) at the signal station.
Anchorages
Anchorage may be obtained in the roads, approx 1nm WSW of the river entrance, in depths of approx 14.0m, sand and mud. In strong W or S, vessels should move farther seaward.
Quarantine anchorage is in a position, within the port limits as directed by the Harbour Master, according to weather conditions.
Restrictions
Entry to the port is restricted to high slack water.
Tugs
There is 1 x 2.3t bollard pull tug available.
Charts and publications
NZ45, 4600, 4601. Admiralty Pilot NP51, NP286(4).
Reporting before arrival
updated Jul 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
Vessels should send their ETA 24 hours and 4 hours prior to arrival. If requiring a pilot, ETA should be sent at least 4 hours in advance to the Harbour Master.
Communications
Call "Wanganui Harbour Control" (callsign "ZMH 211") on 2182kHz, 4125kHz.
VHF: Wanganui Harbour Radio: Ch 12. Mon-Fri 0700-1800hrs.
Standard messages
Agent/port company will advise pilot boarding time and berth details, port situation.
Notice of readiness
As per Charter Party or at arrival at the pilot station.
Documents
One copy of vessel's particulars required.
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.
Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates renewed.
Customs and immigration
Normal customs/immigration formalities apply. Visas, 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.
Inspections
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
Port services
updated May 2010Repairs
Available. Divers are available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Available.
Stores: Available.
Medical
Wanganui Base Hospital, 3km.
Crew change
Crew change is possible.
Transport
Nearest airport: Wanganui, 8km.
Airport facilities: A feeder service to the main overseas airports of Auckland, 1 hour flying time and Wellington, 35 mins flying time.
Nearest railway: Adjacent to the wharf.
Working hours
Normally 0800-1700hrs. Extended hours are now available by a local stevedoring company.
About Wanganui
updated Nov 2025Where it is
Wanganui (Ocean Terminals) lies on the SW coast of North Island facing the Tasman Sea.
The port
It is well situated within easy access to most of the major North Island centres. The port has a bar at the mouth of the Wanganui River. The port handles cement, fertilisers, grain, timber and container cargoes.
Traffic
Approx 32,000t (20,000t of cement and 12,000t of Dolomite fertiliser) handled annually.
Questions about Wanganui
Where does the pilot board at Wanganui?
The pilot boards at Wanganui (Castlecliff) pilot boarding, 39°58.3′S 174°56.9′E.
What time zone is Wanganui in?
Local time at Wanganui 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 Wanganui?
The deepest berth listed is at Wanganui Terminal: 5.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Wanganui?
1010.
Which load line zone is Wanganui in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Wanganui?
Port State Control at Wanganui: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Wanganui?
The UN/LOCODE of Wanganui is NZWAG.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Wanganui 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.
A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.