Requirements for submarine cables and pipelines

Submarine cables and pipelines are protected under the Submarine Cables and Pipelines Protection Act 1996.

The Act provides protection for submarine cables and pipelines by allowing for the creation of protected areas for them. It is an offence for a ship to conduct fishing operations or anchor in a protected area. The Act also defines the liability and offences for damage done to cables and pipelines.

How to apply to protect submarine cables and pipelines
The process for establishing a protected area is specified in section 12 of the Submarine Cables and Pipelines Protection Act 1996. Application for a protected area should be made to:

Ministry of Transport
PO Box 3175
Wellington
Phone: +64 4 472 1253

The application should include details about:

• the area to be protected
• the proposed construction of the cable or pipeline
• the purpose for the cable or pipeline
• the timeframe for laying the cable or pipeline
• the consultation undertaken by the operator to satisfy the requirements of section 12(2) of the Act.

Under section 12(3) of the Submarine Cables and Pipelines Protection Act 1996, the Order in Council may apply differently for different ship types or types of fishing operation. Any exemptions or variations from the standard prohibitions under the Act that may arise as a result of consultation with the fishing industry should be addressed in the application as well.

Submarine Cables and Pipelines Protection Act 1996 [New Zealand Parliamentary Counsel Office]