Cruise ships

The Deed of Agreement for cruise ships wishing to enter the Fiords was introduced through the Regional Coastal Plan in 2001. Section 13 of the Coastal Plan deals with cruise ships operating in the internal waters of the Southland region, and cruise ships either require a resource consent or they have to sign into the Deed of Agreement. The signatories to the Deed are Environment Southland and individual international cruise companies.

The Deed of Agreement is a quasi-resource consent and places environmental obligations on the companies operating ships entering and transiting the Fiords. The requirements set out in the Deed are similar to the conditions of any resource consent. The Deed also assists in managing the potentially significant risks associated with large ship movements and transits through the enclosed waters of the Fiords. Significant response funds would be required should there be a ship incident within the isolated parts of the Fiords.

The Deed was updated and sign off by Council in April 2021.

Download the Deed of Agreement

For the schedule and names of cruise ships visiting New Zealand, visit the website of the NZ Cruise Association.

If you are a cruise ship operator, you can log into our online cruise ship system here.

The SOPs provide vessel operators and crew with appropriate navigation safety course cards.

Fiordland and Stewart Island Passage Plans

The movement of vessels within the Southland region is subject to control and direction by the Harbourmaster. Click the link below to learn more.

Harbourmaster's Direction