New Zealand recognises many other administration’s maritime licences, however, the process of recognising foreign certificates of competency is very time consuming. The process is explained below.

Maritime New Zealand processes recognitions only when the applicant has a firm offer of employment in New Zealand or on a New Zealand ship. Or alternatively if they are going to start their own marine business in New Zealand.

Certificate recognition process

People who want their foreign certificates of competency recognised in New Zealand must complete and submit a number of documents and forms. All documentation must be provided as one package. Individual documents will be returned unprocessed.

You need to complete:
Application for a maritime qualification [PDF: 136Kb, 3 pages]
Fit and proper person form [PDF: 70Kb, 4 pages]
Consent to disclosure form [PDF: 88Kb, 1 page]

You need to provide:

a certified copy of your certificate of competency
a certified copy of your passport with a New Zealand resident’s visa or work permit
certified copies of any supporting certificates, eg first aid and STCW-95 certificates
proof of the general requirements you had to meet before being examined for your present certificate, for example sea service
proof that you meet any medical requirements, including eyesight, that is required under the New Zealand maritime legislation
evidence that you are a ‘fit and proper person’ to hold a marine document, ie that you have:

no criminal convictions, past or pending
no convictions for transport safety offences, past or pending
no history of physical or mental problems
no history of serious behavioural problems.

You will be required to sit a safety oral exam (in English), to the standard of the requested recognition, with an approved nautical examiner. The fee for this exam is payable to the nautical school or examiner.

Please note that all documents must be in English or have an English translation from an approved translator attached.

Once the application and examination process has been satisfactorily completed, you will be issued with a certificate recognising that your foreign certificate of competency meets the New Zealand standard.

If your certificate is an STCW-95 issue, your recognition will be endorsed that you have met the requirements.

Please note that any certificate of recognition issued by Maritime New Zealand may not be recognised by other countries, unless you are serving on a New Zealand registered ship.