Maritime New Zealand's current online services.
A range of maritime qualifications are available in New Zealand; from introductory level to those required when operating a vessel commercially. Learn about the qualifications and the application process.
We are currently consulting on seafarer certification (Qualifications and operational limits). Consultation closes on 29 March 2013. Further information can be found here.
Recognition of non-New Zealand certificates
Revalidation of qualifications
Moving from old qualifications to new
Qualifications and Operational Limits Framework
Contact the licensing team by emailing qualifications@maritimenz.govt.nz or
phone +64 4 473 0111 between 0830 and 1300 hours, New Zealand Standard Time (NZST).
Engineering qualifications – guidelines and application forms
Deck qualifications – guidelines and application forms
Skipper qualifications – guidelines and application forms for the Local Launch Operator (LLO) and Inshore Launchmaster (ILM) qualifications
Jet boat drivers – Application form for existing NZ Commercial Jet Boat Driver (River) Licence holders
STCW-95 short courses – guidelines and application forms for the Standards of Training and Certification of Watchkeepers ’95 short courses
Approved training providers run maritime courses on behalf of Maritime New Zealand.
List of approved training providers and the courses they run
New Zealand recognises many other administration’s maritime licences.
Process to get recognition for non-New Zealand certificates
An examination permit is required by people seeking a seagoing qualification.
Examination permit – fees and application process
From early 2014, nearly all qualifications will need to be kept current through revalidation – a key change resulting from the QOL Review
Revalidation of qualifications
From 2014, old and existing maritime qualifications will start being replaced by qualifications in the new Qualifications and Operational Limits Framework (QOLF).
Moving from old qualifications to new
Read the answers to our most frequently asked questions about seafarer qualifications, including suspended seafarers information.
Frequently asked questions about seafarer qualifications
The proposed new framework for New Zealand's maritime qualifications and operational limits is now available, following a major qualifications and operational limits review (QOL Review).
