Recognition of foreign certificates
This page explains where to go for recognition information, what recognition can and cannot do, and how STCW‑F affects recognition of fishing‑vessel certificates.
Australian certificates or endorsements
If you hold an Australian certificate or endorsement and want to work on a New Zealand‑flagged ship, see:
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Australian certificates or endorsements
We have information and guidelines for Australian seafarers wishing to work on a New Zealand-flagged ship.
If you hold a non‑New Zealand certificate or endorsement (other than Australian) and want to work on a New Zealand‑flagged ship, see:
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Other non-New Zealand certificates or endorsements
We have information and guidelines for all other seafarers wishing to work on a New Zealand-flagged ship.
Because foreign and New Zealand certification frameworks differ:
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it may not be possible to match the exact privileges of your foreign certificate or endorsement
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New Zealand recognition cannot grant privileges that are greater than those of your original certificate.
If your certificate has no clear New Zealand equivalent, you may need to have some of your prior learning recognised towards a New Zealand training programme instead.
The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel, 1995 (STCW‑F) came into force for New Zealand on 4 March 2018.
STCW‑F applies to New Zealand‑flagged fishing vessels that are:
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24m or more in length, or
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powered by engines of 750kW or more,
and operate outside the 12‑mile inshore fishing limit.
The Convention aims to promote:
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safety of life and property at sea, and
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protection of the marine environment,
by setting international standards of certification for seafarers on fishing vessels.
Under STCW‑F:
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New Zealand can recognise STCW‑F certificates issued by other party States
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certificates from non‑party States are not eligible for STCW‑F recognition
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STCW‑F certificates issued by Maritime NZ since 4 March 2018 may be recognised by other party States, subject to their national processes.
The rule changes were signed 3 April 2017 and can be viewed here:
When processing applications for New Zealand certificates of competency or proficiency, Maritime NZ will assess STCW ancillary certificates issued by other administrations on a case‑by‑case basis to decide whether they meet STCW requirements.
Overseas STCW ancillary certificates that are not STCW basic ancillaries must be issued by an approved training provider with one of Maritime NZ’s issuing countries.
STCW ancillary certificates issued by training providers approved by:
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Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), or
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United Kingdom Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)
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have been assessed and are automatically accepted.