Please select your home edition
Edition
Rooster 2025

America's Cup: Requirements clarified for superyachts to enter New Zealand

by Isla McKechnie 29 Jul 2020 11:22 BST 29 July 2020
Auckland - South Pacific Superyacht Hub © Andre Dixon

The New Zealand government has clarified the requirements which must be met obtain exemption for visiting yachts with refit/repairs/refurbishment booked in with New Zealand marine industry companies.

The New Zealand government is, from July 2020, allowing foreign flagged vessels and yachts with booked-in refits or repairs to enter New Zealand.

"New Zealand is respected for its world-class trades people and has many sheltered harbours and ports where clusters of marine industry companies are well-equipped to service local and visiting vessels.

The New Zealand Government understands the huge economic value that visiting commercial vessels and yachts bring to the NZ marine industry and we are delighted that they have quickly responded to our industry's request to allow foreign flagged vessels, with work to be done, to be allowed into our country," says executive director of NZ Marine, Peter Busfield.

The refits, repairs or refurbishment on a vessel/yacht applying for an exemption must be of substantial nature and not less NZ$50,000 (US$33,300) in cost.

The new exemption rules also allow a vessel/yacht to be delivered to a business in New Zealand. For example, a vessel delivered on its own hull or on a ship to an agent that is selling the vessel in New Zealand, or a vessel being delivered to a commercial operator, are all also allowed entry. The border exemption does not allow vessels travelling for leisure to enter the country.

NZ Marine in association with the Ministry of Health, MBIE, Immigration NZ and Maritime NZ have developed a step-by-step guide to the process to apply for a border ex- emption for a visiting vessel.

This guide is available to NZ Marine member superyacht agents and NZ Marine member major boat yards which can assist visiting yachts wishing to visit New Zealand with the vessel/yachts with a border exemption application.

These companies can be found on nzmarine.com

The New Zealand air and sea border is closed to all non-New Zealand nationals due to Covid 19. New Zealand requires all returning New Zealand nationals to go into Government-provided isolation accommodation for 14 days after arrival and to have a Covid 19 test after three days and then after 12 days of going into isolation.

New Zealand, with a total population of five million, has only 22 active cases of Covid 19 - all returning New Zealand residents currently within isolation centres - and no active Covid 19 cases in the community. There are no restrictions of activity within New Zealand with NZ Marine’s own Auckland Boat Show set to go ahead on 8th to 11th October on Auckland's waterfront.

"As the first major boat show of the year in Australasia for 2020, we're expecting huge crowds," says Busfield. The New Zealand industry, with its spring /summer season starting in October, is looking forward to a busy season with visiting yachts now seeking to visit New Zealand for refit and safe haven.

Related Articles

K-Challenge gives opinion on proposed Protocol
Why the 38th edition could usher in a new era for the America's Cup Stephan Kandler and Bruno Dubois, Co-CEOs of K-Challenge, jointly stated: “The provisional Protocol published on 23 May 2025 by Defender Emirates Team New Zealand is an important step forward for the America's Cup." Posted on 4 Jul
America's Cup - #3 Finish Line
The Cup is still undecided. And somewhere, in one last simulation, the universe holds its breath. The Cup is still undecided. And somewhere, in one last simulation, the universe holds its breath. Step into the last leg. This is where legends break — or rise. Posted on 23 Jun
Burling "excited' by Italian move
In a media statement issued by his Media Team, Burling says he remains fully committed to his role w In a media statement issued by his Media Team, Burling says he remains fully committed to his role with Black Foils, the New Zealand SailGP Team. Posted on 20 Jun
America's Cup: Another sponsor signs for Italians
Luna Rossa has announced that Unipol has renewed its trust in the team Luna Rossa has announced that Unipol has renewed its trust in the team and will accompany it as an official sponsor for the duration of the 38th America's Cup. Posted on 5 Jun
America's Cup enthusiastically received in Naples
The Castel dell'Ovo, was the venue for the arrival of the America's Cup in Napes The Castel dell'Ovo, set on the tuft peninsula of Megaride was the outstanding setting for the Official Host Venue Presentation of the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup. Posted on 28 May
Italian PM welcomes America's Cup in Rome
Prime Minister Meloni set out a bold vision for the regeneration planned around AC38 The magnificent setting of the Casino del Bel Respiro, commissioned by Pope Innocent X in 1644, in the grounds of Villa Pamphilj, was the outstanding and historic setting for the formal presentation of the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup. Posted on 26 May
America's Cup: Big changes in crew line-up
Women and Youth crews to sail in AC75 in the next Cup - Final Draft of AC38 Protocol Historic changes are proposed in the Final Draft of the Protocol released by the America's Cup Defender. For the first time a Female and Youth crew members will be part of the six-crew lineup on board the all-electric AC75s. Posted on 23 May
America's Cup: Emirates Team NZ respond
Emirates Team New Zealand has responded to the statements sent overnight (NZT) Emirates Team New Zealand has responded to the statements sent overnight by two Challenger teams calling for more transparency in the negotiations over the Protocol and venue for the 38th Match. Posted on 22 May
NYYC American Magic team statement
Concerns over transparency and cooperation necessary to secure a fair Protocol Over the past seven years, we've competed with pride, purpose, and perseverance in two editions of the America's Cup. It has been an honor to represent the New York Yacht Club and the United States on the global stage. Posted on 22 May
Athena Racing concerned over 38th AC transparency
Around the recent announcement of a Host City for the Cup in 2027 Athena Racing, representing Royal Yacht Squadron Ltd. as Challenger of Record for the 38th America's Cup, is concerned by the ongoing lack of transparency around the recent announcement of a Host City for the Cup in 2027. Posted on 22 May